Characteristics of Occupational Environmental Heat Injuries/Illnesses

Abstract

Objective This study describes the characteristics of workers experiencing occupational heat-related injuries/illnesses in the United States and explores the associations between states’ average annual temperatures and heat-related injury/illness rates. Methods The number and rate of occupational environmental heat injuries/illnesses were calculated according to age group, gender, race/ethnicity, occupation group, and state from 2011 to 2019. Results Injury/illness rates were higher among Black and Hispanic workers. Workers in farming, fishing, and forestry; installation, maintenance, and repair; and construction/extraction occupations had the highest rates. There was a positive correlation between states’ average annual temperatures and heat-related injury/illness rates. Discussion There are demographic and occupational disparities in occupational environmental heat-related injuries/illnesses in the United States and a correlation between these injuries/illnesses and state average annual temperatures. There is a need for policies and other interventions to protect workers from occupational environmental heat injuries/illnesses.