As we enter into the hottest days of the year, a new study of heat-related injuries revealed that they have been vastly undercounted in official records over the past years. The data also suggests that injuries are more prevalent in indoor environments like warehouses and manufacturing facilities.
Heatstroke, one of the most obvious work injuries related to heat, was counted in past data. However, a new study found that heat-related injuries from falling, being struck by vehicles, or mishandling machinery, may account for as many as 20,000 additional workplace injuries just in the state of California alone. The data suggest that higher temperatures inhibit workers’ ability to concentrate and lead to a higher risk of injuries.
The UCLA study published in July was based on data from California’s workers’ compensation system but indicates that the issues are more widespread across the country. It may be especially true in Florida where we deal with high temperatures throughout much of the year. The findings were presented in recent congressional hearings, explaining how heat waves and rising temperatures may hurt people in unforeseen ways.
Increasing temperatures are not just a risk for people who work outdoors. People who work in indoor environments like manufacturing plants and warehouses are also at an increased risk of heat-related injuries. According to the study, overheated workers face increased injury risks, regardless of where the work occurs.
Rise in Heat Stress Injuries
Between 1992 and 2017, heat stress injuries killed 815 U.S. workers and seriously injured more than 70,000, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. An increased injury rate also leads to lost wages and higher medical bills across numerous industries.
More than 65,000 people visit the emergency room for heat-related stress every year and about 700 die from heat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Florida accounts for most of these cases, where heat drove more than 6,800 people to the emergency room in 2019, a 35 percent increase from 2010.
Federal lawmakers are currently considering two new bills focused on measures to mitigate heat-related injuries nationally. The bills propose paid breaks in cool spaces, access to water, and limits on worker exposure to heat. In Florida, two legislative bills that specifically address heat-related worker protections have failed over the past two years.
Avoiding Serious Heat Injuries
Illness and death related to hot weather are preventable. It is critical to make heat safety a priority during the summer and throughout the year. The CDC breaks down its hot weather safety tips into three main areas: stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay informed.
Stay cool: wear appropriate clothing, stay in air-conditioned places as much as possible, limit outdoor activities to cooler times of the day, cut down on exercise during the hottest times of the day, and remember to wear protective clothing and sunscreen.
Stay hydrated: drink more fluids when it is hot outside and consider sports drinks to replace salt and minerals if you are experiencing heavy sweating.
Stay informed: watch the news for extreme heat alerts, keep an eye on friends and family for heat-related illness, and monitor those at high risk for injury such as the elderly or infants.
In the unfortunate event that you or someone you know suffers a heat-related injury due to the negligence of an organization or individual, we advise speaking to an experienced personal injury attorney. Our attorneys at Panter, Panter & Sampedro have extensive experience with personal injury cases. We offer free consultations to help determine if legal action is the best solution for your situation. Please call our office at (305) 662-6178 to schedule a free consultation.
Sources
Flavelle (July 17, 2021). Work Injuries Tied to Heat Are Vastly Undercounted, Study Finds. Retrieved from: https://nytimes.com/2021/07/15/climate/heat-injuries.html
UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation (July 16, 2021). High Temperatures Increase Workers’ Injury Risk, Whether They’re Outdoors or Inside. Retrieved from: https://luskin.ucla.edu/high-temperatures-increase-workers-injury-risk-whether-theyre-outdoors-or-inside
Miranda (June 14, 2021). Why are workers in the U.S. still dying from heat exhaustion? Retrieved from: https://nbcnews.com/business/business-news/why-are-workers-u-s-still-dying-heat-exhaustion-n1270417
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hot Weather Tips. Retrieved from: https://cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/heattips.html
