Statistics in the Work Place

According to a study conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 10,649 weather-related deaths were reported in the United States between 2006 and 2010. Thirty-one percent of the total deaths were attributed to "excessive natural heat," which includes heatstroke and sunstroke.

An individual's risk of heat-related death increased after age 34. The study also noted that the recent global increase in temperatures associated with climate change increased the risk of heat-related stress and illness across all age groups.

It is crucial to understand the conditions in which you are working, how to best prepare for the conditions, and how to respond in the event of heat-related stress. Communication with coworkers and supervisors is a vital component of protecting against heat-related stress.

Hydration and acclimatization are crucial steps to prepare for high temperatures and humidity. These preventive measures are to be taken before long periods of work in high temperatures. Hydration recommendations include consuming one cup of water every 15 minutes before heat exposure. Acclimatization is the process of gradually exposing the body to heat and humidity. Both preventive measures are explained later in this course.

To learn more about Heat Stress visit our Heat Stress, Illness & Injury Safety Online Training web page.