Heat-Related Deaths in Construction Workers

Staying safe in the heat is a top priority. While we’ve shared some tips for preventing heat-related illnesses, it’s important to emphasize the importance of protecting yourself and your team from the dangers of extreme heat, including serious illness or even death.

Construction workers face a disproportionately high risk of heat-related illness and death. While they only make up about 7% of the total U.S. workforce, they have accounted for over a third of all workplace heat-related deaths in recent years.

Key Statistics on Heat-Related Deaths

• Disproportionate Fatalities: From 2011 to 2023, the construction industry accounted for an average of 14 heat-related deaths per year, compared to an average of 41 deaths per year across all industries. In 2023, construction workers made up 32.7% of all workplace heat-related deaths.
• High-Risk Occupations: Certain construction trades are at an even higher risk. A study found that from 1992 to 2016, cement masons, roofers, and helpers were significantly more likely to die from heat than the average construction worker.
• Geographic and Temporal Trends: Heat-related fatalities in construction are most common in the summer months, with July having the highest number of deaths. The states with the most fatalities from 2011 to 2023 were Texas and California.
• Underreporting: The reported numbers of heat-related injuries and deaths are likely significantly undercounted. Symptoms can be misdiagnosed or attributed to other causes, and there may be a financial disincentive for employers to report such incidents.

Factors Contributing to High Risk

• Strenuous Outdoor Work: Construction work is physically demanding and is often performed outdoors in direct sunlight, which can increase the heat index by as much as 15 degrees Fahrenheit. This combination of physical exertion and environmental heat puts workers at a high risk for heat stress.
• Lack of Acclimatization: Workers who are new to a job or returning from a break may not be acclimatized to the heat, making them more vulnerable. Studies have shown that a significant number of heat-related deaths occur on a worker’s first day on the job.
• Protective Equipment and Clothing: The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and certain types of clothing can reduce the body’s ability to cool itself.

OSHA Regulations and Prevention Methods

While federal OSHA does not have a specific standard for heat exposure, it can cite employers under the General Duty Clause for failing to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards. However, some states, such as California and Oregon, have implemented their own specific heat illness prevention standards.

Effective Strategies for Prevention

• Water, Rest, Shade: The core principles of heat illness prevention are to provide workers with access to cool, potable water; frequent rest breaks; and shaded areas to cool down.
• Hydration: Workers should be encouraged to drink at least one cup of water every 15-20 minutes, even if they are not thirsty.
• Work Scheduling: Rescheduling heavy labor for the cooler parts of the day, such as the early morning or late afternoon, can significantly reduce the risk.
• Acclimatization: New workers or those who have been away from the job should have a period of gradual acclimatization to hot conditions.
• Training and Monitoring: Employers and supervisors should be trained to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat illness in themselves and their coworkers. They should also have a plan for what to do in a heat-related emergency, including calling 911 immediately for severe cases.

Weekly Safety Challenge:

Discuss with your team ways to initiate prevention strategies and what PPE or supplies they may need. Feel free to share with us some ideas and protocols you and your team have come up with.