"Scorching survival: Rising heat concerns among workers in Antigua"

... In 2024, the island is not just experiencing heat—it's being consumed by it.

... Of particular concern is the increase in nighttime temperatures that offer very little respite. "This increase in nighttime temperatures means that the human body has more stress on it to release the high temperatures it was exposed to during the day," he explains.

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On the ground, workers are fighting a daily battle against this environmental assault.

In Antigua and Barbuda, questions posed to workers across various fields reveal a concerning pattern of heat-related challenges and inadequate protections.

The findings were gathered from professionals under anonymity, including general construction workers, police officers, security guards, delivery personnel, engineers, electricians, and equipment operators.

The daily reality for professionals involves extensive exposure to intense heat conditions, with 75% of workers reporting they spend eight or more hours per day working in high temperatures.

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Excessive sweating was the most frequently reported symptom across various roles, with workers citing significant productivity losses linked to heat exposure.

Even more alarming is the fact that most workers have no health insurance, and the one worker who does have coverage reported that their plan doesn't adequately address heat-related medical treatments.

As one electrician with over 10 years of experience stated, "We don't have any official heat safety guidelines," a sentiment echoed across multiple responses.

In the absence of formal protection measures, workers have developed their own basic strategies to cope with heat exposure ...

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