Workers' Compensation Claims Relating to Heat and Cold Exposure
Author: Jensen, Roger C.
Date Published: 1983
In most instances of occupation exposure to thermally stressful conditions, workers successfully make these adjustments and avoid harm. However, in those situations in which thermal stress is either too great or the adjustments are inadequate, the worker may develop, one or more of the disorders attributable to stressful thermal exposure, e.g., heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, frostbite, tranchfoot, or hypothermia. The adverse effects of exposure to hot or cold work environments may be manifested in several ways: 1) reduced work time due to the need for more frequent and longer breaks; 2) performance decrements in terms of reduced production rates or increased error rates, 3) increased injury rates associated with less consistency in performing tasks in the planned and safe manner due to stressful thermal conditions, 4) temperature related injuries which do not cause lost workdays or result in workers' compensation claims, 5) temperature related injuries which are severe enough to result in the filing of a workers' compensation claim, 6) fatalities due to hypothermia or heat stroke, and 7) fatalities in which the environmental stress was a contributing factor.
Date Published: 1983
In most instances of occupation exposure to thermally stressful conditions, workers successfully make these adjustments and avoid harm. However, in those situations in which thermal stress is either too great or the adjustments are inadequate, the worker may develop, one or more of the disorders attributable to stressful thermal exposure, e.g., heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, frostbite, tranchfoot, or hypothermia. The adverse effects of exposure to hot or cold work environments may be manifested in several ways: 1) reduced work time due to the need for more frequent and longer breaks; 2) performance decrements in terms of reduced production rates or increased error rates, 3) increased injury rates associated with less consistency in performing tasks in the planned and safe manner due to stressful thermal conditions, 4) temperature related injuries which do not cause lost workdays or result in workers' compensation claims, 5) temperature related injuries which are severe enough to result in the filing of a workers' compensation claim, 6) fatalities due to hypothermia or heat stroke, and 7) fatalities in which the environmental stress was a contributing factor.
