Increased Heat Levels Raise Workplace Injury Risks, Workers’ Compensation Data Reveals

A recent analysis by Pinnacol Assurance, Colorado’s leading workers’ compensation insurer, reveals a significant correlation between rising temperatures and increased workplace injuries. The data shows that when temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit, workers, both indoors and outdoors, face a 52% higher risk of injuries such as strains, cuts, falls, and struck-by incidents. The insurer emphasizes the importance of implementing comprehensive heat safety measures to protect employees from the adverse effects of excessive heat.

These measures include educating workers and supervisors on the signs of heat-related illnesses, encouraging regular hydration, providing frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas, and acclimatizing workers to heat gradually. Employers are encouraged to adopt these practices to safeguard worker health and reduce the likelihood of heat-induced accidents, ensuring a safer workplace environment.