Summer can be one of the most enjoyable times of the year, full of vacations and outdoor activities. Summer heat can be brutal, though. Men and women who still need to work during the hot New Jersey summers could even be at risk for heat-related work injuries.
Rising temperatures lead to more injuries
A study that analyzed approximately 11.6 million workplace injury claims from 2001 to 2018 found that higher temperatures have a negative effect on worker safety. Compared to when the temperature is in the 60s, workers have a 3.5% higher chance of being injured when the temperature is between 80 and 85 degrees. Injury risk jumps by 7% when the temperature is between 90 and 95.
It is not just outdoor workers who are at an increased risk, either. Indoor workers like those in the manufacturing industry are also more likely to suffer a heat-related work injury. Many indoor positions are not temperature controlled, and those that are were not necessarily designed with rising temperatures in mind. A few examples of heat related injuries or accidents include:
- Dehydration
- Heat strokes
- Heat induced dizziness or falls
Low income workers are especially vulnerable to heat-related work injuries, although anyone of any background can be seriously hurt at work. Regardless of one’s previous income, recovery can be difficult when there are mounting medical bills and no steady paycheck. This is why temporary benefits through New Jersey’s workers’ compensation system can be so helpful when it comes to recovery.