A new report from the Workers Compensation Research Institute shows heat-related illnesses, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke, occur seven times more often on days when temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit compared to days with temperatures between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
The report, released in the dead of winter, analyzed workplace injury data to identify patterns connected to extreme heat.
Who Made it Happen: Researchers Vennela Thumula and Olesya Fomenko authored the study, Heat-Related Illnesses in the Workplace. The research draws on workers’ compensation claims from 31 states, covering the majority of workers’ compensation benefits in the United States. It uses data from claims to compare injuries with temperature records.
Why It Matters: The report also notes an increase in other workplace injuries, such as falls and cuts, during periods of high temperatures. In addition, the study identifies factors that influence the risk of heat-related illnesses, including geographic location, job tenure, and personal demographics like age and gender. Workers in their first two months on the job were found to be at higher risk.
What’s Next: The report is available through the Workers Compensation Research Institute. The findings come amid ongoing discussions about heat safety standards and workplace protections at the state and federal levels.
About the Workers Compensation Research Institute: Founded in 1983 and based in Waltham, Massachusetts, the Workers Compensation Research Institute is a non-profit organization focused on independent research. It provides objective data and analysis to help employers, insurers, and policymakers make informed decisions about workers’ safety and compensation systems.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
