Workplace injuries are often tied to devices, machines, tools and vehicles. Drivers face high risks due to car accidents, for instance, while construction workers have elevated risks from power tools, blades, ladders, heights and much more.
But it’s not always what you work with that puts you in danger. Sometimes, it’s the environment where you work that creates the biggest hazard. The weather itself can cause serious workplace injuries.
There are risks in all seasons and all areas of the state. While California is generally a very warm state, you do have cold temperatures, especially in the north and the mountains. Extremely cold temperatures have led to numerous deaths and injuries over the years. Even in less-than-extreme conditions, any amount of snow and ice can make roads more dangerous.
On the other hand, severe heat in the summer can lead to serious burns, heat strokes, dehydration and a host of other issues. Since exposure and exertion both can lead to heatstroke, the combination of the two — a worker who is putting in a serious physical effort on a very hot summer day — can be deadly. This is often why you see issues with sporting events being held in the summer, or training for those events, but workers in high-energy jobs like construction or road construction also face risks.
Following a serious injury, the most important thing is to seek medical care. After that, however, you may also want to know what your workers’ compensation rights are under California law and how you can get that important process underway.
