“New study details heat risks for workers”

…After Florida lawmakers this year barred local heat protections for workers, a new study cites "strong and robust evidence that excessive heat increases the frequency of injuries" to workers - with risks particularly in the South.

The Workers Compensation Research Institute last week released the study, which uses workers' compensation insurance claims data and temperature data from 2016 to 2021. The study included data from 24 states in the South, Midwest and Northeast.

In part, it found that the probability of work-related accidents increases by 5 percent to 6 percent when maximum daily temperatures top 90 degrees, compared to days when temperatures are 65 degrees to 70 degrees. It also cited a "clear increase" in numbers of days with temperatures over 90 degrees and 100 degrees over a four-decade period…

The study was released less than a month after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that includes preventing local governments from requiring heat-exposure protections for workers. The bill, which also will prevent local governments from placing wage requirements on contractors, drew heavy debate during this year's legislative session and was backed by business groups…

…researchers wrote that "we detected the largest effects of excessive heat in the South" and cited higher risks in the construction industry…