How hotter weather leads to more workplace accidents

California is known for its warm weather and sunshine. While this is great in many ways, it also creates some dangerous conditions for workers.

In fact, there are now studies that have found warmer weather can be tied to more workplace accidents.

Accidents beyond heat stroke

Some of the most common heat-related workplace issues reported by California employees relate to things like dehydration and heatstroke. However, what’s recently been discovered is that extreme heat can impact a worker’s concentration and cognitive abilities.

As the temperatures go up, more accidents are likely to occur. While things like falls, being hit by a vehicle, or having your hand caught in a machine may seem unrelated to heat, this just isn’t the case. As your cognitive function falls because of the high temperatures, your ability to work safely and avoid danger is compromised.

California’s take on heat-related accidents

With the summer approaching, now is the time for employers to take steps to keep workers safe throughout the hotter months of the year. Due to the severity of the problem, California created rules and regulations that employers must follow when workers are in the heat. This includes training employees on proper steps to take when working in the heat, providing water and shade and planning to ensure compliance with the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Standard.

Your legal rights if injured because of a heat-related incident

Unfortunately, heat-related incidents may still occur. If you are the victim of this type of situation, you have rights, including receiving workers’ compensation benefits while you recover. It’s best to explore your legal options to see what you can qualify for.