Mapping the lived experience of heat stress of climate-exposed workers towards developing a thriving and resilient City
This project investigated the experience of high heat and heat stress by two groups of outdoor workers in the City of Sydney area: bicycle courier riders (food and document delivery), and municipal park maintenance workers. The project examined how these workers were affected by and managed high heat at work.
The team developed an interactive online platform to report data involving the workers, exploring the feasibility for a reporting app that could be used in citizen science and labour organising projects. The project team focussed on the differing experiences of permanent secure workers and those in contracting ‘gig’ roles. The team also made a submission to the Inquiry into the Victorian On-Demand Workforce.
Chief investigators:
Professor James Goodman
Dr Elizabeth Humphrys
Freya Newman
Dr Nimish Biloria
Pejman Pakdel
Professor Leena Thomas
Funding body: The City of Sydney, Council Innovation Grant
Project website: https://toohottowork.org/
Featured publication(s)
- Elizabeth Humphrys, James Goodman and Freya Newman (under review) ‘Working in Heat: Contrasting Heat Management Approaches Among Outdoor Employees and Contractors’.
- Bilora N, Goodman J, Humphrys E, Newman F, Pakdel P, da Rimini F and Thomas L (Nov 2019) Final Report to the City of Sydney Council: Heat in the Streets: Mapping the Lived Experience of Heat Stress of Climate-exposed Workers Towards Developing a Thriving and Resilient City, Climate Justice Research Centre, University of Technology, Sydney. https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/handle/10453/138619.
- Goodman J, Humphrys E, Newman F, da Rimini F, Thomas L, Biloria N and Pakdel P (July 2019), Submission to the Inquiry into the Victorian On-Demand Workforce, Heat Stress and On-Demand Work: The Experience of Food Delivery and Courier Cyclists, Climate Justice Research Centre, University of Technology, Sydney. https://opus.lib.uts.edu.au/handle/10453/134736.