Rising global temperatures are more than a climate concern; they pose a significant and immediate risk to productivity, operational efficiency, and human health. With the Earth warming at an unprecedented rate, heat stress is becoming a direct challenge for businesses and industries worldwide.

This blog will explore how heat stress impacts various facets of operations, the critical thresholds for safety and productivity, and why businesses need to act now to mitigate the risks.

By Allan Kapoor, Sr. Technical Product Manager, Jupiter Intelligence

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What is Heat Stress?

Heat stress occurs when the body can no longer regulate its internal temperature effectively, leading to health risks such as heat exhaustion, dehydration, and even heat stroke. From an operational perspective, heat stress limits human and machine productivity, disrupts workflows, and increases costs related to healthcare, absenteeism, and equipment failure.

A measure often used to evaluate heat stress is Wet-Bulb Temperature (WBT), which accounts for both heat and humidity. Recent studies suggest that the previously accepted threshold of 35°C (95°F) WBT above which the human body cannot maintain safe internal temperatures  is overly optimistic. Updated research shows dangerous thresholds begin as low as 26–31°C WBT, even for healthy adults. At these levels, individuals exposed to prolonged periods of heat may face life-threatening challenges. Businesses must factor in these new findings to protect their workforce and maintain productivity.

"For over a decade, it was widely believed that the maximum wet-bulb temperature that bodies could handle was 35 C — unlikely to become a common occurrence until global warming had reached a staggering 7 C over preindustrial temperatures. It wasn’t until 2022 that a group of researchers tested this limit with human subjects, and found that things could get dangerous much sooner, at wet-bulb temperatures as low as 26 C. This threshold means that vast areas of the planet could become risky to live in with 2 C of global warming — which could be reached as early as 2045 if greenhouse gas emissions aren’t reduced." — Grist, 04 April 2025

How Heat Stress Impacts Productivity

1. Reduced Worker Efficiency

High temperatures impair both physical stamina and cognitive function. Workers in heat-stressed environments tend to slow down, make more mistakes, and require additional supervision. The quality and pace of work drop, particularly in physically demanding sectors like construction, agriculture, and logistics.

2. Increased Rest Breaks and Shift Adjustments

As temperatures rise, workers must take more frequent breaks to stay hydrated and avoid overheating. In extreme cases, entire shifts may need to be rescheduled to cooler nighttime hours, or halted altogether if conditions exceed safe limits—cutting into the total number of productive work hours available each day.

3. Lost Labor Due to Heat-Related Illnesses

Heat stress can escalate into serious medical issues such as heat exhaustion or heat stroke, sidelining workers for days or longer. This not only disrupts operations but also increases absenteeism, healthcare costs, and liability exposure—especially as heat safety regulations tighten across jurisdictions.

Operational Implications

These human productivity losses compound quickly across industries. Unplanned downtime, seasonal constraints, and labor shortages become more likely. In some regions, the hot season could render entire workdays unviable without significant adaptation—forcing businesses to rethink staffing, schedules, and heat mitigation strategies.

Why the Heat Threshold Research Matters

A pivotal study conducted by the University of Ottawa and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences confirms that we’ve historically underestimated human vulnerability to heat by several degrees. The study accounts for more complex responses to heat, corroborating updated thresholds of 26–31°C WBT for safe activity under limited exertion. These limits vary based on activity level, duration of exposure, and individual factors like age and health conditions.

For example:

• Young, healthy adults may endure 31°C WBT for shorter durations under minimal activity before symptoms of heat stress appear.
• Elderly workers or those with preexisting conditions may experience symptoms at much lower thresholds, well below 26°C WBT.

The study underscores how even regions currently considered temperate could become climatically unsafe as early as 2045. This revelation amplifies the urgency for businesses worldwide to adopt mitigation strategies to address heat stress inclusively.

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Sectors at High Risk

Outdoor Industries

Construction, agriculture, and landscaping are disproportionately affected by rising heat. Reduced work hours and increased risk to laborers will threaten project deadlines and harvest yields.

Manufacturing and Logistics

From factory floors to supply chain logistics, heat disrupts processes and delays shipments. Products that require climate-controlled storage, such as perishables, face greater spoilage risks in extreme heat scenarios.

Healthcare

Higher temperatures place unprecedented demand on healthcare infrastructure, with more patients suffering from heat-related conditions. This strain ripples through industries reliant on local healthcare systems to keep workers healthy.

Mitigating Heat Stress Risks in Business

1. Implement Heat-Resilient Work Policies

Develop adaptive work schedules that prioritize early morning or evening work shifts during peak heat days. Offer mandatory cooling breaks and ensure hydration stations are easily accessible.

2. Leverage Climate Analytics

Use advanced climate risk analytics tools to predict and model extreme heat scenarios. These insights can help assess long-term risks and opportunities for mitigation. Companies such as Jupiter Intelligence provide predictive analytics on heat exposure thresholds, making it easier for businesses to prepare their facilities and workforce accordingly.

3. Modernize Equipment and Facilities

• Equip buildings and facilities with advanced cooling systems powered by renewable energy to offset higher energy costs.
• Invest in heat-resistant materials that maintain structural integrity during extreme heat.
• Upgrade electrical systems to prevent overheating and outages.

4. Prioritize Workforce Training

Educate employees on the signs of heat-related illnesses and prevention methods. Use training simulations to illustrate the importance of heat safety and emergency responses.

5. Adopt Technology for Heat Monitoring

• Deploy wearable devices that monitor body temperatures and hydration levels in real-time.
• Use Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to collect environmental data, ensuring compliance with workplace heat safety thresholds.

Addressing the Productivity Crisis Before It’s Too Late

Heat stress is no longer a far-off issue. Rising global temperatures reveal that this is an urgent challenge, affecting businesses, economies, and livelihoods sooner than anticipated. Industries must proactively address heat stress to safeguard both human and operational productivity against the harsh realities of climate change.

Organizations that adopt adaptive strategies today will not only mitigate risks but also position themselves as leaders in resilience and innovation. The question is no longer if heat stress will affect your business, but whether your business is ready to meet the challenge.

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Take Action Now

Climate challenges aren’t insurmountable. Equip your business with the tools it needs to thrive amid extreme heat. Contact us for best-in-science climate risk analytics tailored to your industry.

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