The Federal Reserve report found that 20% of Phoenix's workforce works outside and noted that productivity declines in the summer.
PHOENIX – A new report from the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco concludes that extreme heat in Phoenix is cooling the economy.
Last summer was the hottest on record, with 54 days of 110-degree heat and more than 600 deaths from heat-related illnesses.
The report comes as the Phoenix City Council passed additional protections for contract workers in the heat.
“I have worked on numerous construction sites in Phoenix where workers were asked to complete projects in temperatures over 110 degrees without access to clean, cool water, shade or a place to rest,” says Jason Sangster, executive director of Ironworkers Local 75, said during public comment at Tuesday's City Council meeting.
The protections require city contractors with field workers to have access to cool drinking water, shade and air conditioning in vehicles with enclosed cabs.
The Federal Reserve report found that 20% of Phoenix's workforce works outdoors with little access to air conditioning, and suggests that productivity declines in hot weather.
“Please know that this ordinance will improve the quality of life for many of our brothers and sisters who work outdoors, especially this summer,” Sangster said.
The report finds that the heat also disproportionately affects workers of color.
Dee Pinkston, director of workforce solutions at Chicanos Por La Causa, said they are working to get young people and adults out of the heat and onto careers.
“You don’t have to take a job where you think you might have to go out in the heat, we can train you. We can do it for free. It’s short-term, you can get an industry-recognized degree, and we have these wonderful employer partners like Honeywell Aerospace to help them get started in their careers,” Pinkston said.
Analyzing FEMA data, the report said heat waves cost Arizona $6 million, two-thirds of which came from heat-related deaths and injuries.
Looking at the report, Danny Seiden, president of the Arizona Chamber of Commerce, disagrees with the Fed's assessment that the heat is having a cooling effect on Arizona's economy.
“In 2020, the last time we have these figures, tourism, visitor and retail revenue increased despite a hot summer and we will see what it looks like in 23 too. Silk said.
Seiden said companies that belong to the chamber are committed to protecting workers.
“Most of our companies are doing this, they are allowing a lot of remote work, they are changing working hours and making it safer for their employees. They do everything they can to create a safe working environment. And we can do it,” said Seiden.
Getting through the summer will be difficult, according to Arizona State climatologist Dr. Erinanne Saffell, increasingly difficult as night temperatures rise.
“If we look at the last 30 days, daytime temperatures are still getting hotter. But we are also seeing nighttime temperatures becoming much hotter. So the trend is three times hotter than daytime temperatures,” said Saffell.
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