Blog - Tag: heat

Summer heat creates an obvious risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, but its impact on workers’ compensation claims often extends beyond these classic injuries.

High temperatures can contribute to workplace accidents, complicate medical evaluations and make otherwise straightforward claims more difficult to resolve, particularly when workers have pre-existing medical conditions.

Research has found that workplace injury rates rise noticeably during periods of extreme heat, even among workers who never develop a diagnosed heat illness.

In many cases, heat may act as a contributing factor rather than the primary injury. A dehydrated worker, for example, may lose focus while operating machinery. Fatigue may lead to a misstep from a ladder or scaffold.

Pre-existing conditions complicate causation

When an employee suffers a medical event during hot weather, insurers often try to determine whether the injury resulted primarily from workplace heat exposure or from:

• Underlying health issues — Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, obesity and high blood pressure can reduce the body’s ability to regulate temperature.
• Medications — Certain prescription medications, including diuretics, antihistamines and some psychiatric medications, may interfere with the body’s ability to cope with heat, making workers more susceptible to heat-related illness.

The existence of a pre-existing condition or the use of prescription medications does not automatically prevent an employee from receiving workers’ compensation benefits.

In many jurisdictions, if workplace conditions materially aggravate, accelerate or worsen an existing medical condition, the injury may still be compensable. A worker whose underlying heart condition is triggered or worsened by prolonged heat exposure may still have a valid claim if evidence shows that workplace conditions substantially contributed to the event.

Physicians may also evaluate whether a portion of a worker’s disability resulted from the natural progression of the pre-existing condition rather than work-related heat exposure. That process can influence claim costs and benefit determinations.

Thorough investigations common

Because heat-related claims may involve multiple contributing factors, claims professionals typically gather more evidence than they would for other workplace injuries.

Investigations may include:

• Weather conditions and heat index at the time of the incident
• Job duties and physical workload
• Hydration practices, rest breaks and acclimatization
• Use of personal protective equipment
• Witness statements
• Medical records documenting pre-existing conditions
• Information about medications that could affect heat tolerance

The more complete the documentation, the easier it becomes to determine whether heat materially contributed to the workplace injury or illness.

Prevention remains the best strategy

Providing water, shade, rest breaks, acclimatization for new staff, supervisor training and early recognition of heat stress symptoms can reduce the likelihood that heat exposure will develop into a serious injury.

Employers should also recognize that some workers face elevated risks during periods of high heat due to underlying medical conditions or medications. While employers generally may not inquire about an employee’s specific medical conditions, they can educate and support workers who may be more susceptible to heat-related injuries.

Employers may:

• Educate employees that certain conditions can reduce heat tolerance.
• Remind workers that some medications may increase the risk of dehydration or overheating.
• Encourage employees to discuss heat-related concerns with their physician or pharmacist if they have a chronic health condition or take prescription medications.
• Provide additional hydration and rest-break opportunities for workers who may be more vulnerable to heat stress.
• Encourage employees to promptly report symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, confusion or excessive fatigue.
• Train supervisors to recognize that workers with underlying conditions may exhibit signs of heat stress more quickly than others.
• Reinforce the buddy system so co-workers can identify early signs of distress and seek help if needed.
• Arrange temporary adjustments to work schedules, job rotations or assignments during periods of extreme heat when appropriate.
• Promote a workplace culture in which employees feel comfortable raising concerns about heat exposure without fear of stigma or retaliation.