Over the long summer months, temperatures across the United States have soared to record levels in many locations, including California. Unfortunately, with this dramatic rise in temperatures comes an increased risk of serious or even fatal work injuries. Specifically, employees working outside are at an increased risk of developing heat-related illnesses or heat stroke.

The situation has become so serious that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has even issued an educational campaign reminding employers of the danger of heat-related illnesses and the ways in which they can protect employees.

"July was the hottest on record in most of the U.S., and it's important for all employers and workers to be aware of this," said David Michaels, Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA. "The symptoms of heat are often not easily recognizable."

In light of this record-breaking heat, what employees are most at risk of developing a heat-related illness/heat stroke?

Agricultural workers: Given the need to be outdoors for hours at a time and the general lack of air conditioning, agricultural workers are at great risk of developing heat-related illness/heat stroke.

In fact, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) is currently investigating whether the deaths of two agricultural workers last month were caused by heat stroke/heat exhaustion.

Road crew workers: These workers must often be outside for long stretches of time using heavy machinery on heat-absorbing surfaces and in close proximity to cars expelling hot fumes. Many times, road crews will work nighttime hours to escape especially brutal heat.

Roofers: Similar to road crew workers, roofers must work long hours directly in the sun atop non-reflective surfaces. However, rather than being subjected to car fumes, roofers are subjected to hot tar fumes.

Interestingly, roofers had the highest rate of non-fatal heat-related injuries in 2009 with roughly six out of every 10,000 workers developing some type of injury/illness.

Baggage handlers: The next time you travel to an exotic destination, remember the airline employees who got your bags loaded. Extremely hot conditions on the tarmac resulted in baggage handlers having the second highest rate of non-fatal heat-related injuries in 2009.

Stay tuned for more from our San Diego workers' compensation blog ...

You should strongly consider seeking the necessary medical treatment if you have suffered any type of work injury - regardless of your employment setting.

This post was for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal or medical advice.

Related Resources:

MSNBC "Feeling the heat: Most dangerous summer jobs" Aug. 8, 2011