As an employer, ensuring a safe work environment for your employees is crucial. This means adhering to the California Building Standards Code, such as ensuring the removal of hazards and providing adequate lighting and proper functioning of HVAC systems.
Especially in environments like warehouses, the lack of air conditioning on hot summer days can lead to severe consequences for employees. If you, as an employer, do not take the proper precautions, exposure to extreme heat can cause various workplace injuries for which you may be liable.
If you have suffered a heat-related work injury, we recommend contacting a personal injury lawyer in Los Angeles promptly to file a claim within the statute of limitations.
What Are Heat-Related Injuries?
Heat illnesses happen when the body cannot cool itself down in extremely hot temperatures. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), workers exposed to extreme heat are prone to illnesses or injuries, such as heat stroke, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat rashes.
Heat rashes, characterized by red clusters of pimples or small blisters on the neck, chest, groin, or elbow creases, are a common type of heat-related injury. Heat cramps involve painful muscle cramps or spasms, usually affecting the legs, arms, or abdomen. Heat syncope refers to sudden dizziness or fainting due to dehydration or lack of acclimatization to heat.
Heat exhaustion presents symptoms such as excessive sweating, pale and clammy skin, nausea or vomiting, weakness, and fainting. Heat stroke is a severe condition with symptoms including confusion, slurred speech, hot skin, seizures, and loss of consciousness. If an employee experiences a heat stroke, call 911 immediately.
Our experienced Los Angeles personal injury lawyers are ready to fight on your behalf for compensation if you have suffered a heat-related injury at work. We understand the complexities of these cases and are dedicated to ensuring you receive the justice you deserve.
Steps To Address Heat-Related Illnesses
If an employee shows signs of a heat-related illness:
- Move them to a cooler area immediately.
- Provide water and encourage them to drink slowly.
- Use cool compresses or fans to lower their body temperature.
- Seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or do not improve.
How To Prevent Heat-Related Injuries
As an employer, it is your duty to educate your employees on preventing heat-related injuries. This involves providing regular training sessions to ensure they understand what heat stress is and how it can affect their health and safety.
Key Preventative Measures:
- Training and education. Conduct training sessions on heat stress, its symptoms, and prevention techniques. Inform employees about the risks of heat-related illness and the importance of staying aware and looking out for their co-workers.
- Limiting exposure. Restrict the amount of time employees spend in excessively hot environments. Increase recovery time in cooler areas to allow employees to rest and cool down.
- Heat acclimatization. Develop a heat acclimatization plan to gradually increase employees’ exposure to hot conditions over one to two weeks. Monitor employees closely during this period to ensure they are adapting safely.
- Environmental controls. Ensure that workspaces have proper ventilation, and air conditioning, if possible. Use fans, cooling systems, or shaded areas to reduce extreme temperatures.
Contact a Los Angeles Injury Attorney Today
Our knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles, CA are here to walk you through the legal process following a heat-related work injury. The statute of limitations typically requires you to file a Los Angeles personal injury claim within two years of the date of the injury. This means that if you were injured, it is important to reach out to our Los Angeles personal injury law firm ASAP to get the most out of your claim.
With over 25 years of experience, John J. Perlstein is one of the best personal injury attorneys in Los Angeles, CA, securing fair and just outcomes in personal injury and wrongful death cases. He will ensure accurate compensation for the victim and their family.
To set up a free consultation with a top Los Angeles injury attorney regarding your heat-related personal injury claim, fill out our form online or give us a call at (213) 583-5786.