Workers in temperatures above 90 degrees face higher risk of injury: Report

Pinnacol Assurance, a Denver-based workers’ compensation insurer, released a report Tuesday that shows workers are more at risk of injury when working in extreme temperatures.

The insurer said its claims data shows that both outdoor and indoor workers are 52 percent more susceptible to injury when temperatures rise above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Common injuries on extremely hot days include strains, cuts, falls, and “bumps.”

Workers considered to be particularly vulnerable are those in construction, road maintenance, landscaping and other outdoor industries, the report said.

“When workers are exposed to excessive heat, their physical and cognitive abilities can be impaired, increasing the likelihood of accidents,” Tom Denberg, Pinnacol’s chief medical officer, said in a statement.

Employers looking to reduce worker injuries should implement heat safety measures, including providing hydration, rest breaks and shaded areas to ensure a “safer and more productive work environment”, Mr Denberg said.

In addition to outdoor occupations, employees who work in indoor environments, such as teachers, restaurant workers and maintenance workers, are also at increased risk of developing injuries from heat exposure, the report said .