Summertime in Georgia can be hot. Really hot. With a subtropical, humid climate our summertime temperatures often exceed 95 degrees. Which presents additional risks for anyone who must work outside where they could develop a heat-related illness. Heat related-injuries are almost always avoidable with increased awareness and taking the proper precautions.However, it remains a problem in the US and in 2015, there were 2,830 nonfatal heat-related occupational injuries and 37 fatalities. In Georgia, workers who succumb to a heat-related illness can collect workers’ comp benefits.

What is a heat-related illness?

Heat-related illnesses are caused by prolonged or intense exposure to hot temperatures where your body is cooling itself down but can’t as blood rushes to the surface of your skin. This causes less blood to reach your brain, muscles, and other important organs and interferes with both physical and mental capacity.

Types of heat-related illnesses

Heat stroke: This is the most dangerous heat-related illnesses you can have, and your body can no longer regulate its core temperature. The worker will stop sweating and becomes confused, often losing consciousness or having a seizure. This is an emergency and 911 must be contacted immediately.

Heat exhaustion: This happens when your body responds to a lack of hydration and salt from significant sweating. Individuals will experience dizziness, headache, weakness, thirst, and nausea.

Heat rash: This is where your skin gets irritated from the sweat that stays on the skin and fails to evaporate. It is often called prickly heat and is the most common problem workers experience in hot environments.

Heat cramps: This is where your body reacts to losing salt and fluid from heavy sweating. Workers experience fatigued muscles and painful cramps. They will feel the cramps in the muscles they most commonly use for working but it does not just happen while they are working. They may feel the painful cramping after they leave work.

Prevention is key!

Heat-related illnesses are preventable, and employers should try to train workers on the hazards of heat exposure and how to prevent becoming overheated. The following are key tips to preventing heat-related illnesses and deaths.  

• Acclimate yourself slowly with the heat.
• Drink plenty of water before you start work–then every 15 minutes while working.
• NO alcohol or sugary drinks.
• Wear sunscreen. Reapply as needed.
• Take frequent breaks indoor with air conditioning to cool off.
• Drink water every 15 minutes.
• As co-, monitor each other for signs and symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

What if I end up with a heat-related illness?

You can receive workers’ compensation for a heat-related injury if you can prove that having to work outside in the heat caused your illness. You should contact a workers’ compensation lawyer in Georgia or if you have any issues with employers denying your claim. Just remember,employers must provide a safe working environment for their workers—no matter if it is indoors or outdoors.