The fact that extreme workplace heat can be incredibly hazardous to workers isn’t news. However, new data reveals that the true cost of working in these conditions is even higher than we thought. A recent study, “A Nationwide Analysis of Heat and Workplace Injuries” led by researchers from Harvard University and George Washington University found that high heat contributes to at least 27,953 excess workplace injuries every year. And these aren’t cases of heat stroke or heat exhaustion; they’re the “hidden toll” of excessive heat that flies under the radar.
In discussions of heat in construction, heat stress usually takes center stage. But for the first time, this study shows how extreme temperatures don’t just make workers sick; they also increase their risk of making mistakes, which can result in workplace incidents. This is because prolonged exposure to elevated heat significantly impairs both physical and mental function, leading to worsened judgment, reduced attention span, slower reaction time, muscle fatigue and reduced hand-eye coordination. All of this can lead to an increased risk of slips, trips, falls, cuts and other occupational injuries.
Simply put, a worker who is overheated is a worker who is far more likely to make a mistake, leading to an injury that could have been prevented by simple heat safety measures and that may not even be categorized as “heat-related.”
The study also suggests these effects worsen as the temperature increases and improve with cooler temperatures. While this may seem obvious, there has been controversy over trigger temperatures in heat standards and whether they’re necessary. This study shows they do actually matter, which can help state legislatures create more effective heat rules that better protect workers. According to the research:
“For the first time, we have indisputable, concrete evidence that protective heat standards work, but there aren’t enough of them,” said LHSFNA Management Co-Chair David Rampone. “Implementing a national heat standard is the only way to safeguard worker health, reduce the “hidden” cost of these injuries, set clear expectations for employers and ensure that no one is injured or killed simply for doing their job.”
In states that have implemented their own workplace heat exposure regulations—such as California, Oregon, Maryland and Washington—employees have a lower risk of injury on hot days. California’s standard, for example, has been shown to reduce heat-related injuries by 15 to 27 percent in high-hazard sectors like construction and agriculture. The beneficial effect is strongest at higher temperatures.
A growing body of evidence is affirming what we’ve been fighting for: we need comprehensive, science-based regulations in order to effectively protect American workers from heat—an issue that isn’t going away anytime soon. OSHA must implement a national standard that requires employers to provide mandatory water, rest, shade, acclimatization plans, training and clear emergency response procedures that are based on science.
As our nation continues to grapple with frequent extreme weather events, the LHSFNA will continue to advocate for the working men and women who build this country and fight for the most protective standards possible. For more information, LIUNA affiliates can order our heat illness prevention publications and reach out to our Occupational Safety & Health Division for any direct support.
[Hannah Sabitoni]
