Waltham, MA, Dec. 18, 2024―As the number of heat-related illnesses (HRIs), such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, continues to rise, a new FlashReport from the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) finds that HRIs increase by at least sevenfold on days when temperatures exceed 90°F compared with days with temperatures between 75°F and 80°F.

“These findings are especially significant amid ongoing policy debates on heat standards at the state and federal levels,” said Sebastian Negrusa, vice president of research at WCRI. “They also suggest that the broader impact of excessive heat on workplace safety extends beyond HRIs, contributing to an increase in other injuries such as falls and cuts.”

The study, Heat-Related Illnesses in the Workplace, builds on prior WCRI research to better understand HRIs in the workplace and distinguish the effects of excessive heat on HRIs versus heat-related accidents. Among the other questions the study addresses are the following:

• What role does geographic region play in the frequency of HRI claims?
• Are certain age groups, genders, or industries more at risk for HRIs?
• How does job tenure, particularly two or fewer months on the job, influence the likelihood of HRIs?

This study utilizes data from the WCRI Detailed Benchmark/Evaluation (DBE) database, encompassing workers' compensation claims from various insurers, state funds, and self-insured employers across 31 U.S. states. These states account for approximately 80 percent of U.S. workers’ compensation benefits. The DBE database provides comprehensive claims data, including injury dates and locations, while temperature data were used to assess temperature-related patterns and factors in the study.

Click here for more information about the study or to purchase a copy. The study was authored by Drs. Vennela Thumula and Olesya Fomenko.

About WCRI:

The Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) is an independent, not-for-profit research organization based in Waltham, MA. Organized in late 1983, the Institute does not take positions on the issues it researches; rather, it provides information obtained through studies and data collection efforts, which conform to recognized scientific methods. Objectivity is further ensured through rigorous, unbiased peer review procedures. WCRI’s diverse membership includes employers; insurers; governmental entities; managed care companies; health care providers; insurance regulators; state labor organizations; and state administrative agencies in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

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