If you are an outdoor employee working during the hot Illinois summer months, knowing about heat stress and how it can impact you are vital to protect yourself daily. Heat stress is a common cause of workplace incidents during the warmer months.
Heat Stress and You
Many workers, and especially those that work in construction and on farms, are in danger of facing heat stress. As outside workers, you are continuously exposed to the heat of the sun, which can cause a serious injury or become deadly.
The number of people put in harm’s way from heat stress is staggering. For example, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration released information that has shown 70,000 people were seriously injured, and 815 died, as a result of heat stress between 1992 and 2017. Moreover, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has asserted that farmworkers are 20 times more likely to die from heat stress.
To help prevent heat stress, it is essential to try and take breaks to cool off during the hottest parts of the day. You should also take care to drink plenty of water and stay in the shade when possible. If you are unable to do this because of your job restrictions and injuries result, you may be able to file a workers’ comp claim.
Injuries Sustained on the Job
Currently, there is no unified regulation regarding heat stress and the workplace. However, if hurt while at work, you can still begin a workers’ comp claim. These claims help to cover your medical bills and try and secure money from lost wages. And it may even be helpful to seek the services of a workers’ compensation lawyer who is knowledgeable about this area of law.
If you are an outdoor worker, protecting yourself from heat stress is critical. Any concerns about your rights on the job can often be discussed with a lawyer to help you better understand your case.