Summer Heat Injuries and Outdoor Work Hazards

Tennessee summers are known for being brutal. Those who work outside face sweltering heat, humidity that’s impossible to escape, and intense sun. These factors can make every shift dangerous for those who regularly work outside, including construction workers, landscapers, road crews, and farmhands. Without the right precautions and sufficient hydration, those who work outside run the risk of heatstroke and other heat-related illnesses.

However, employers may dispute whether an employee suffered a heat-related illness as a workplace injury for workers’ compensation purposes. This is why it’s so important to know your rights and when to assert them. With the help of a workers’ compensation lawyer in Tennessee, you can fight for the compensation you’re owed after a workplace illness. Call Wagner Workers’ Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers.

Understanding heat-related work injuries

Heat-related illnesses occur when the body cannot cool itself down quickly enough to maintain an appropriate internal temperature. This is especially common during prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humidity. Tennessee weather, which has been known to hit above 100 degrees during the summer, makes this a very real danger. Common heat-related illnesses include:

• Heat exhaustion: which is marked by heavy sweating, physical weakness, nausea, and headaches.
• Heatstroke: the natural progression of heat exhaustion that is considered a medical emergency, causes confusion, seizures, and a body temperature of 104 degrees or higher.
• Severe dehydration: meaning both loss of fluids and electrolytes, leading to fatigue and confusion.

There are a number of risk factors that put outdoor workers at heightened risk of suffering heat-related illnesses:

• Direct sun exposure without shade
• Heavy protective gear that traps heat
• Strenuous labor in high heat or humidity
• Minimal rest breaks and water access
• Being new to this type of work, without enough time to acclimate to the heat

Heat illnesses are extremely serious, and any symptoms mean that an employee should be checked out immediately.

Why summer heat risks are worsening in Tennessee

In recent years, the already hot temperatures of Tennessee have been hitting new highs. July and August are the worst months for outdoor workers. One contributing factor is longer heatwaves. Rather than having one or two hot days and then a few days to recover, workers face consecutive days of high temperatures, compounding the effects of the heat. Companies have also ramped up pressure to hit tough deadlines, which means workers may take fewer days off, take fewer breaks in the shade, and have less time to stay hydrated. Protective clothing, which is important for safety, compounds these issues and puts workers in even more danger. This is a serious enough issue that TOSHA features heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses in its summer newsletters.

Workers’ compensation for heat-related injuries in Tennessee

Tennessee’s workers’ compensation laws allow employees to seek compensation if they are injured or become ill during the course of their work, and this extends to heat-related illness. Benefits offered by the state’s workers’ compensation program include medical treatment coverage, temporary wage replacement, and permanent disability benefits if an employee is left permanently unable to work.

To get the benefits you are owed, be prepared to show that the illness occurred during the course of your work and that your working conditions are the direct cause of your injury or illness.

What to do if you suspect heat-related illness

If you’re working and you start to show symptoms of heat-related illness, take your symptoms seriously. Don’t wait to see if they improve—immediately report them to your supervisor, move into the shade, and drink water. You should seek medical care immediately, because heat illnesses can worsen quickly and even become fatal. Follow your doctor’s recommended course of treatment and document the outdoor conditions when you have a few minutes. Take note of the temperature, humidity, how much shade you did or did not have, and any denied rest or hydration breaks.

Employer responsibilities

Employers are legally obligated to take reasonable steps to protect their employees from recognizable work-related hazards, which can include heat-related illness. They should provide shaded or air-conditioned rest areas that employees can use as needed. Portable canopies, tents, and trailers are good options. Employers should also provide and enforce frequent water breaks, preferably every 15 to 20 minutes. They should do their best to schedule the most physically demanding part of the work during cooler parts of the day and rotate crews so no one is constantly exposed to high heat. Providing lightweight, breathable uniforms can also improve outcomes.

The role of heat acclimatization

Workers, particularly those who are new or who are returning to this type of work after a break, are at greater risk of heat illness than those who have spent a long time doing this type of work. To help workers acclimate to the heat, employers should have them start with shorter shifts, lighter duties, or both. Gradually increase the workload over seven to 14 days to help them get used to the daily demands of their work. Monitor new employees for signs of heat stress so supervisors can intervene immediately if there are signs of heat illness.

If you’ve suffered heat-related illness and you’re having a hard time getting the benefits you’re entitled to, you have options. If your company has refused to file your workers’ comp claim or its workers’ comp insurance provider has denied your claim, it is time to talk to a workers’ compensation lawyer. They can gather necessary evidence, build your case, and fight for the benefits you are owed.

Get the benefits you are owed—contact Wagner Workers’ Compensation & Personal Injury Lawyers now

The sooner you reach out to our team after a workplace injury or illness, the easier it is for us to advocate for you and demand the benefits you’re owed. Schedule a consultation now by calling us or connecting with us online.