Pinnacol Assurance, a Denver-based workers compensation insurer, released a report Tuesday showing that workers are more at risk for injuries when working in extreme temperatures.
The insurer said its claims data shows that workers in both outdoor and indoor settings are 52% more susceptible to injury when temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Common injuries on extremely hot days include strains, cuts, falls and “strikes.”
Workers considered to be particularly vulnerable are those in the construction, road maintenance, landscaping and other outdoor industries, the report states.
“When workers are exposed to excessive heat, their physical and cognitive abilities can be impaired, increasing the likelihood of accidents,” Tom Denberg, Pinnacol’s medical director, said in a statement.
Employers looking to cut down on worker injuries should implement heat safety measures, including providing hydration, rest breaks and shaded areas to ensure a “safer and more productive work environment,” Mr. Denberg stated.
In addition to outdoor professions, employees who work in indoor settings, such as teachers, restaurant workers and maintenance workers, are also at an increased risk of developing injuries due to heat exposure, the report states.
This article was first published in Cook County Record.
