Construction workers battling extreme heat with data visualizations illustrating safety measures

Is Your Workplace Making You Sick? The Hidden Dangers of Extreme Heat and How to Fight Back

Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"As global temperatures rise, outdoor workers are increasingly at risk. Discover the surprising ways heat impacts health and what companies can do to protect their most valuable assets."

The sun beats down, the air shimmers with heat, and the workday stretches on. For many, especially those working outdoors or in poorly ventilated spaces, this scenario is more than just uncomfortable—it's a health risk. Extreme heat significantly impairs cognitive function, slows learning, and diminishes overall task performance. As global temperatures continue to climb, the dangers to workers are escalating, demanding a closer look at the intersection of heat and occupational health.

A groundbreaking study analyzing data from 1985 to 2020 across various industries reveals the tangible impacts of temperature on worker well-being. The findings are clear: high temperatures lead to a marked increase in health claims, particularly among manual laborers in outdoor settings. But the story doesn't end there. The research delves into the nuances of who is most affected and what factors can mitigate these risks, offering valuable insights for employers and policymakers alike.

This article will unpack the key findings of this critical research, exploring the specific vulnerabilities of different worker demographics, the types of injuries that become more prevalent in high heat, and the workplace strategies that can effectively protect employees. Understanding these elements is crucial for creating safer, more productive work environments in a warming world.

The High Cost of Heat: Unpacking the Risks to Worker Health

Construction workers battling extreme heat with data visualizations illustrating safety measures

The research paints a stark picture of the consequences of heat exposure. It's not merely about discomfort; it's about a tangible increase in workplace injuries and illnesses. The study, drawing from an extensive Australian insurance database, reveals that elevated temperatures directly correlate with a higher incidence of worker health claims. This effect is most pronounced for those engaged in manual labor, particularly in industries like agriculture and construction, where the work is inherently outdoors.

But the study goes beyond simply identifying the correlation. It pinpoints specific demographic groups that are disproportionately affected. Female workers, older employees, and even surprisingly, higher-earning individuals within manual occupations are shown to be more vulnerable to heat-related incidents. This highlights the complex interplay of factors that contribute to risk, suggesting that physiological differences, pre-existing health conditions, and even job roles may play a part.

Increased Injury Claims: Higher temperatures directly lead to more claims, impacting productivity.
Vulnerable Groups: Manual workers, especially in outdoor industries, are at highest risk.
Demographic Factors: Female, older, and higher-earning manual workers are particularly susceptible.

Furthermore, the type of injuries sustained shifts with increasing temperatures. While heat stress and sunburn are obvious concerns, the data reveals a broader spectrum of health events, including lacerations and other injuries. This suggests that reduced concentration and impaired psychomotor performance—side effects of heat exposure—contribute significantly to accidents. The risk of incidents involving hazardous chemicals also rises, potentially due to increased volatility or altered handling procedures in high-temperature environments. Therefore these events may have direct impact in long term with mental health issues that arise from discomfort and low performance.

Building a Heat-Resilient Workplace: Protecting Your Most Valuable Assets

The study's firm-level analysis delivers a crucial insight: the percentage increase in claims on hot days is often greatest at firms perceived as 'safer'. This counterintuitive finding suggests that even companies with strong safety records may struggle to fully mitigate the risks posed by extreme heat, or that safety measures for other risks aren't as effective against heat-related incidents. This underscores the need for a comprehensive, heat-specific strategy that goes beyond general safety protocols.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.jhealeco.2023.102800,

Title: Heat And Worker Health

Subject: econ.gn q-fin.ec

Authors: Andrew Ireland, David Johnston, Rachel Knott

Published: 27-01-2023

Everything You Need To Know

What are the primary health risks associated with extreme heat in the workplace, and how does it affect different worker demographics?

Extreme heat in the workplace leads to a tangible increase in injuries and illnesses, as revealed by analysis of data from 1985 to 2020. Manual laborers, particularly in outdoor settings like agriculture and construction, face the highest risk. Specific demographic groups are disproportionately affected. Female workers, older employees, and higher-earning manual laborers are notably more vulnerable. This is because high temperatures significantly impair cognitive function, slow learning, and diminish overall task performance, contributing to accidents like lacerations and other injuries, including the potential for increased incidents involving hazardous chemicals.

How does rising temperatures impact worker productivity and safety, and what specific injuries are more prevalent during heat exposure?

Rising temperatures directly correlate with a higher incidence of worker health claims, leading to a decrease in productivity. The study revealed that elevated temperatures correlate with a higher incidence of worker health claims. The type of injuries also shifts with increasing temperatures. Heat stress and sunburn are obvious concerns, but a broader spectrum of health events occurs, including lacerations. This suggests that reduced concentration and impaired psychomotor performance contribute significantly to accidents. Moreover, the risk of incidents involving hazardous chemicals also rises, potentially due to increased volatility or altered handling procedures in high-temperature environments.

Who is most vulnerable to heat-related incidents in the workplace, and what factors contribute to their increased risk?

Manual workers, especially those in outdoor industries such as agriculture and construction, are at the highest risk. Additionally, female workers, older employees, and even higher-earning individuals within manual occupations are more susceptible to heat-related incidents. Factors contributing to the increased risk include physiological differences, pre-existing health conditions, and possibly even specific job roles. Exposure to extreme heat significantly impairs cognitive function, slows learning, and diminishes overall task performance.

What strategies can companies implement to create a heat-resilient workplace and protect their employees from the dangers of extreme heat?

The study's firm-level analysis reveals that even companies with strong safety records may struggle to fully mitigate the risks posed by extreme heat. This underscores the need for a comprehensive, heat-specific strategy. This means that companies must develop specific plans and practices designed to protect their workforce from heat exposure, going beyond general safety protocols. Consider measures such as providing adequate hydration, adjusting work schedules to avoid peak heat hours, ensuring access to shade and cooling areas, and implementing heat-specific training programs. Monitoring weather conditions and understanding the specific vulnerabilities of different worker demographics are also crucial steps.

Why is it important to understand the impact of heat on occupational health, and what are the long-term implications of these findings?

Understanding the impact of heat on occupational health is crucial because rising global temperatures are escalating the dangers to workers. The study's findings highlight that extreme heat leads to a marked increase in health claims, particularly among manual laborers in outdoor settings. The long-term implications include not only increased workplace injuries and illnesses but also potential mental health issues arising from discomfort and low performance. The research pinpoints specific demographic groups and types of injuries, and workplace strategies can be developed to protect employees, creating safer and more productive work environments in a warming world. This includes the need for businesses to adopt comprehensive, heat-specific strategies to protect their most valuable assets.