As the number of heat-related illnesses (HRIs), such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, continues to rise, this FlashReport 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. The findings are especially significant amid ongoing policy debates on heat standards at the state and federal levels. 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.

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.

Heat-Related Illnesses in the Workplace—A WCRI FlashReport. Vennela Thumula and Olesya Fomenko. December 2024. FR-24-04.

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Copyright: WCRI