New Study Link Workplace Injuries to Heat Exposure
A recent study, published in Environmental Health and conducted by a team of researchers from George Washington University and Harvard University, shows a connection between working in hot conditions and an increased workplace injury risk. The research coincides with OSHA’s movement to adopt a national standard regarding heat injury and illness prevention.
“Extreme heat can result in fatal heatstroke. But before we get to these levels, we found that even moderate hot conditions can subtly increase the risk of workplace injuries.”
-Barrak Alahmad, first author of the study
For this study, titled “A Nationwide Analysis of Heat and Workplace Injuries,” the researchers analyzed a 2023 OSHA dataset that tracked workplace injuries across 48 states. Using OSHA’s data, researchers found that approximately 28,000 workplace injuries in 2023 could be attributed to working in heat. Other key findings included:
- The odds of work injury begin to increase when the heat index climbs to around 85 degrees Fahrenheit, and the risks sharply rise after 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The work injuries connected to extreme heat exposure were observed across nearly all sectors, including those with mostly indoor workplaces.
- Workers in states with workplace heat exposure guidelines appeared to have a reduced risk of injury in hot conditions.
The team noted that, in addition to creating concerns for heat illness and heat stroke, hot temperatures are a significant risk factor for a wide range of workplace injuries. The study stated that heat has a pervasive impact on worker vigilance, coordination and judgment, and the injuries sustained due to these effects are not typically labeled as “heat-related.”
The study also recommended that safety training and education requirements explicitly warn about the role heat plays in such injuries. The researchers noted that employers’ heat safety measures (e.g., shade, water, rest, acclimatization, heat plans) are critical for protecting workers and lowering the hidden financial impacts of heat-related injuries.
With this information, employers should take steps to protect workers from heat exposure and comply with applicable rules.
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The content of this News Brief is of general interest and is not intended to apply to specific circumstances. It should not be regarded as legal advice and not be relied upon as such. In relation to any particular problem which they may have, readers are advised to seek specific advice. © 2025 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.