The combination of hot summers and high humidity in Louisiana leads to an increase in heat-related illnesses across the state. The body overheats due to its inability to cool by evaporation.
Data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) now indicate that extreme heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States.
And the risk is even higher for workers exposed to weather on construction sites, in warehouses, or those engaged in outdoor labor. A new study from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) found “the probability of work-related accidents increases by 5% to 6% when the maximum daily temperature rises above 90°F, relative to a day with temperatures in the 65–70°F range.”
Millions of U.S. workers face this threat in their workplaces every day, and the summer months pose a higher risk of heat-related injuries.
Heat exposure is intensifying as the frequency, severity, and duration of extreme heat events increase due to climate change. Heat-related illnesses can strike quickly and have serious consequences, making prioritizing worker safety more important than ever.
Who’s At Greater Risk for a Heat-Related Illness?
According to the Heat-Related Illness Report from the Louisiana Department of Health, on average, the state saw 323 work-related emergency department visits and 20 hospitalizations for heat-related illness every year from 2010 through 2020. Anyone can develop heat-related illness, but some people are at greater risk, including workers in outdoor settings and some indoor work settings without adequate climate-controlled environments.
Outdoor Jobs
- Construction workers represent only 6% of the total U.S. workforce, yet they account for more than one-third of all reported occupational deaths associated with heat exposure.
- Agriculture
- Landscaping
- Mail and package delivery
- Oil and gas well operations
Indoor Jobs
- Bakeries or kitchens
- Electrical utilities
- Iron and steel mills and foundries
- Warehousing
- Fire service
However, these injuries can occur at any time of year, both indoors and outdoors.
How Can Louisiana Better Protect Its Workers?
The report states that “Heat is a well-recognized occupational hazard and workers are one of the most at-risk populations because their exposure and responses are largely controlled by their job requirements and employer.” About one-quarter of Louisiana’s workforce is at risk of heat exposure based on physically demanding outdoor roles as well as inadequately climatized indoor settings.
Data from the Natural Resources Defense Council shows there are 693,897 workers in high-risk industries in Louisiana. Employers are legally obligated to protect their employees working in the heat, including from heat-related injuries.
But only five states (California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon, and Washington) guarantee workers access to rest, shade, and water. While state law has no formal standards for working in the heat, the Department of Health did create the Louisiana Occupational Heat-Related Illness Prevention Program, which has goals to:
- Improve heat-related illness prevention and adaptation practices for workers and employers
- Improve individual and community-level resilience to extreme heat
Workplace Heat Safety Tips for Surviving Hot Weather
The bad news is that thousands of workers become ill from occupational heat exposure each year. The good news? These injuries are preventable through proper safety training and precautions.
There are practical steps employers and employees can take to stay safe, stay hydrated, and stay productive when the heat is on. To prevent heat-related injuries:
- All employers and employees working in the heat must be trained to recognize heat-related illnesses and how to administer first aid.
- Drink lots of cool water.
- Take plenty of rest breaks in a cool or shady location.
- Dress for the heat with a hat and light-colored, loose-fitting clothes.
- Implement a buddy system where workers observe one another for signs of heat-related illnesses.
- Employers can utilize OSHA’s Heat Stress Calculator to determine whether a worker’s heat stress exceeds recommended limits.
If you or a loved one has suffered a heat-related injury on the job and you wish to discuss the specifics of your case in a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer, please contact us today.