Heat-related injuries and illnesses are a growing concern in workplaces across the Upstate of South Carolina. As excessive heat days occur more frequently, the number of workers experiencing heat-related work injuries, illnesses, and even death continues to grow. These incidents spike during the summer months, especially for people working in industries like public safety, construction, transportation, utilities, and agriculture. Simply put, whether you work indoors or outdoors, exposure to extreme or intense heat significantly raises the chances for a workplace injury or illness.

Who is impacted and what are the signs?

While heat-related injuries and illnesses can impact anyone, the categories of workers most often impacted are men, new hires, and younger workers. Some of the most common forms of heat-related illnesses include:

• Heat stroke
• Heat exhaustion
• Dizziness, lack of focus, seizures
• Syncope (a loss of consciousness caused by a sudden drop in blood flow to the brain)
• Cramps
• Rash
• Rhabdomyolysis (damaged muscle cells that poison the bloodstream)
• Acute kidney injury or damage

What can make matters even worse is when these conditions or symptoms impair a worker’s motor skills, leading to accidents and incidents with tools, ladders, and equipment.

Additionally, if a worker has underlying medical conditions such as cardiovascular disease, kidney ailments, or asthma, workers’ compensation may cover cases where excessive heat exposure contributes to the incident.

Finally, intense heat in a work environment can result in metal tools, surfaces, and machinery reaching dangerously high temperatures. Resulting injuries and burns are not typically considered “heat-related illnesses,” but may qualify as heat-related claims when connected to ambient temperatures and/or sun-exposed jobsites.

How can you protect yourself from heat-related illness and injury?

Depending on the job you do and where you do it, there are a variety of things you can do to help keep your mind and body from being impacted by extreme heat, including:

• Drink plenty of water – cooled if possible
• Seek relief in shaded or air-conditioned break areas
• Take rest breaks of 15 minutes every two hours
• Use the buddy system to watch out for signs and symptoms
• Wear the appropriate clothing and head coverings

What should I do if I experience heat-related illness or injury at work?

If your injury or illness is a direct result of work-related activities – particularly if you are working under extreme temperature or strenuous conditions – you may be eligible to file a workers’ compensation claim. While employees may do their best to avoid heat-related illnesses, workers’ compensation serves as a safety net for those affected. For outdoor workers or those laboring in high-heat environments, filing a workers’ compensation claim becomes essential.

To successfully claim workers’ compensation for injuries or illnesses such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke, employees need to demonstrate or prove that these incidents were a direct result of their working conditions, confirming that they sustained injuries while performing job duties. For those who are impacted, workers’ compensation can assist in covering medical expenses and related costs for recovery.

What’s my first step?

Call Fulton & Barr. We have more than 35 years of proven experience helping injured workers secure the workers’ compensation they deserve and are entitled to. We know the laws inside and out and can quickly determine whether you have a valid claim. Your consultation is FREE, and you won’t pay us a dime until your claim is completely resolved.