According to a study made by the University of California, Los Angeles, and Stanford University, when temperatures rise, the probability of workplace injuries and incidents increases "substantially."
Researchers discovered that injuries increased by up to 9% on days when the temperature topped 90° F, compared to days when the thermometer read 50-69° F. When the number of temperatures reached triple digits, the chance of injury rose by up to 15%.
The main reason for the increased risk is that workers get dehydrated, and their joints become stiffer and more prone to injury. Heat can also make us less active, so we might not be as careful about using good safety equipment or work gloves. People also get more cranky when it's hot, which could lead to workplace conflicts.
Employers in California have focused on heat illness prevention in outdoor workplaces, which affects employees who spend a significant amount of time working outdoors in agriculture, construction, landscaping, maintenance, transportation, and delivery drivers in non-air-conditioned vehicles and others.
These employers are required to implement a heat illness prevention plan that includes training on heat illness, acclimatization, heat illness symptoms, and heat illness prevention methods, such as rest breaks, shade, and hydration practices.
Cal/OSHA has been working on standards to reduce heat related injuries or illnesses. According to the coalition's comments, Cal/OSHA should follow the recommendations of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and focus its efforts on preventing heat illness by:
- Educating employers and employees about the risks of heat-related illness,
- Keeping indoor worksites cool through a combination of air conditioning, passive and active temperature controls, and a work/rest regimen
- Using monitoring and surveillance of indoor worksites to detect heat-related illness early and allow for rapid intervention to prevent heat-related illness from progressing to heat stroke.
Bottom Line
Employers who fail to implement heat-related illness prevention plans are putting workers' lives at risk, particularly in hot weather. Employers should make sure that their safety practices, including training and equipment, are in line with the practice guidelines of the CDC. At a minimum, employers should ensure that many employees are trained on the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness and what to do if they think that they or their co-workers are experiencing heat-related illness. And they should regularly remind workers to take breaks in the shade, drink plenty of water, and follow other common-sense rules to prevent heat-related illnesses.
If you would like to consult with worker's compensation attorneys in California, Pacific Workers’, The Lawyers for Injured Workers has a team of competent compensation lawyers goes above and beyond to make sure you make the most out of your dreadful situation. Call for a free consultation today at 800-606-6999for a free consultation.