High temps raise worker injury & death risks
From 2011-2019, more than 340 U.S. workers died as a result of heat exposure, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
June opened with scorching temperatures and high humidity descended across a large swath of the country, and this trend of higher than average temperatures is anticipated to persist throughout the coming months, according to a National Weather Service.
Rising temperatures are accompanied by a higher risk of heat-related illness and death for workers. From 2011-2019, more than 340 U.S. workers died as a result of heat exposure, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
However, many safety experts believe the number of heat-related deaths in the U.S. is actually higher, as cases might be underreported or misreported as another cause, such as heart attacks, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) reported.
A study that compared weather data with the daily number of workers’ compensation claims in Adelaide, South Australia from 2003-2013 found claims increased under moderate to extreme temperatures, while cold conditions resulted in delayed effects.
The growing threat of heat-related injuries or deaths prompted OSHA to issue a bulletin to employers in the Great Lakes region. The update included details of the administration’s Water. Rest. Shade initiative, which suggests the following:
- Encourage workers to drink water every 15 minutes
- Take frequent rest breaks in the shade to cool down.
- Have an emergency plan ready to respond when a worker shows signs of heat-related illness.
- Train workers on the hazards of heat exposure, and how to prevent illness.
- Allow workers to build a tolerance for working in heat.
“Employers must protect workers from the dangers of heat illness in hot indoor and outdoor environments,” William Donovan, an OSHA regional administrator in Chicago, said in a release. “In the past several years, OSHA’s heat safety campaign has focused intently on raising awareness of the related dangers. Now, our recent national emphasis program is reaching out to unions, employers in target industries and other organizations to protect workers most often exposed to heat illness and injuries.”
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