According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), millions of workers in the U.S are exposed to heat in their working conditions. It is no secret that the summer months can be a dangerous time to work. The combination of soaring temperatures and inexperienced workers can lead to a spike in workplace accidents and injuries. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the summer months are when workers are most at risk for an on-the-job injury. In this blog, we will discuss some of the factors that contribute to this increased risk, as well as ways you can protect yourself from potential accidents on the job.
The Risk of Summer Workplace Injuries
Higher Temperatures
A recent study analyzed over 11 million workers’ compensation claims and found that exposure to hotter temperatures significantly increases the risk of sustaining a workplace injury by up to 15 percent if a worker is working on a day above 90 degrees. The heat alone may cause thousands of workplace injuries each year due to dehydration, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion; however, the higher temperatures can also pose occupational risk factors for heat-related injuries and illnesses, often leading to fatal outcomes.
Inexperienced Workers
During the summer months, construction work is at an all-time high, which also means inexperienced and unskilled workers are often working for extra labor, which puts them at an added risk of workplace injury. Inexperienced workers are more likely to sustain a severe injury at work because they lack the cognitive ability and experience needed to perform certain duties.
Traffic Congestion
Road maintenance and construction work zones peak during the warmer months; coupled with the increase of industrial zones and road maintenance, more people are on the road traveling, which leads to heavily congested roadways. The influx of traffic poses significant hazards for construction workers working in industrial zones and other motorists.
Contact a Glendale Workplace Injury Lawyer
Glauber Berenson Vego has nearly 100 years of collective legal experience helping injured workers after an accident receive just and fair compensation. We understand how daunting it can be after experiencing a workplace accident, and our team wants to help you navigate through the process of filing a workers’ compensation claim. If you or someone you love has been injured on the job, we encourage you to reach out to us right away to learn how we can help.
If you or a loved one has sustained a workplace injury, contact us today at (626) 605-2450 to schedule a free case consultation.