The central concern involves workplace environmental conditions and the point at which those conditions become legally untenable for continued labor. This concerns situations where the ambient heat or cold reaches a level that poses a demonstrable risk to employee health and safety, influencing decisions about the continuation of work activities.
Maintaining a safe and healthy work environment is paramount for employee well-being and productivity. Historically, regulations addressing extreme temperatures have evolved in response to documented cases of heatstroke, hypothermia, and related health incidents occurring on the job. Clear guidelines protect workers from hazardous conditions and ensure employers fulfill their duty of care.