Construction workers account for 7% of the U.S. workforce, but represent more than one-third of all occupational heat-related deaths in 2022 and 2023, according to an August 2025 research from CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, CPWR’s Fatality Map, the BLS Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses and OSHA’s Severe Injury database.

Heat is the leading cause of weather-related deaths worldwide. It can also increase the risk of injuries when working at heights and can trigger existing health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or cardiovascular disease. According to new research, chronic underhydration can contribute to the development of chronic diseases and even premature mortality.

Each of the past 10 years has been the warmest ever recorded, making heat-related illness and injury (HRI) prevention more important than ever. In 2022, 17 of the 43 (39%) recorded heat-related workplace deaths were in construction. In 2023, it was 18 out of 55 (32%). It’s suspected that the effect of heat on workers could be even greater due to underreporting and undercounting of HRIs.

Construction jobs frequently demand prolonged exposure in hot and humid environments. Compounding factors of heat sources such as high temperature, humidity, sun exposure and indoor heat sources, along with personal protective equipment, lead to increased risk of HRIs.

Construction had the highest number of fatal heat-related injuries and the third-highest nonfatal heat-related injuries resulting in days away from work. It should be noted that not all heat-related injuries result in days away from work, contributing to underreporting. According to the CPWR report, “Heat has been demonstrated to contribute to other injury types, such as falling from a scaffold after becoming dizzy from heat exposure.”

Further details from the report reveal that the four industries with the greatest share of fatal heat injuries in 2023 were construction (34%); agriculture, fishing, forestry and hunting (20.8%); transportation and warehousing (9.4%); utilities (7.5%); and miscellaneous (28.3%).

In construction specifically, the top 10 states for heat-related fatalities for 2011–2023 were Texas (25 heat-related fatalities), California (13), Florida (9), Arkansas (8), Illinois (6), Louisiana (6), North Carolina (5), Oklahoma (5), Pennsylvania (5) and Arizona (4).

According to OSHA, June through September were the most common months for HRIs, with more than half occurring in July and August.

The good news is that nonfatal heat-related injuries resulting in days away from work in the construction industry fell by more than half (-57.2%, from 1,500 to 620) from 2011–2022, which is double the rate of other industries. The most common injury was heat exhaustion.

With rising summer temperatures, it’s incumbent upon workers and employers to take preventative measures when working in adverse conditions. Pretask heat stress hazard analyses, developing and implementing heat injury and illness prevention plans, putting heat stress controls in place and training workers to recognize and respond to the signs and symptoms of heat illness can all mitigate injuries and illnesses.