New Jersey summers bring intense heat and humidity to outdoor job sites. If you work outside, you probably already know about risks like dehydration and sunburns, but there are other serious injuries and illnesses that you might not immediately recognize until it’s too late.
Gravity and a dizzy spell
In a hot environment, a brief moment of lightheadedness can lead to a serious fall. Intense heat can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, reducing the flow of oxygen to the brain. When this happens, it can trigger dizziness or a fainting spell. On a busy job site, lightheadedness might cause a worker to lose their balance and fall from a ladder or scaffold, resulting in catastrophic head injuries, broken bones and in too many cases, accidental death.
Frequent rest breaks in shaded areas and unlimited access to cool water can allow the body to slowly adjust to rising temperatures, stabilizing blood pressure and preventing the sudden dizziness that leads to falls.
Mechanical failures
Extreme heat also can also put stress on the equipment used on construction sites. Hydraulic fluids can thin out, which can cause brakes or lifting arms to fail unexpectedly. Metal parts also expand in the heat, leading to jammed gears and engine stalls, not to mention serious burns if the surface is too hot. Machines can overheat and fail, leading to serious hazards for workers using the equipment.
These mechanical issues transform standard equipment into a serious hazard for workers.
The asphalt factor
For those working on New Jersey roads, the danger is quite literally underfoot. Asphalt absorbs and holds heat, often reaching temperatures much higher than the air. This dark surface creates a localized zone of extreme heat that puts intense physical stress on anyone standing on it for hours.
Workers who are at risk of injury due to ground-level heat include:
- Road crews
- Delivery drivers
- Utility workers
Because these workers cannot escape the heat radiating from the ground, their resulting illnesses can be direct results of their employment.
Legal and financial relief for summertime accidents
Workers’ compensation benefits can provide critical relief to New Jersey workers hurt on job sites this summer. If a heat- or weather-related incident occurs, talking to an attorney about your options for financial remedies and claims can be wise.