Workplace Temperature & Climate-Related Hazards Are a Growing Employer Risk in 2026

This is the first in series of articles on WorkCare solutions that align with critical occupational health and safety exposure risks and other top-of-mind concerns as U.S. employers begin the new year and develop long-term intervention strategies. 

Workplace temperature and climate-related hazards are no longer limited to seasonal discomfort or isolated events. They are persistent, year-round risk factors that directly influence injury rates, worker performance, operational continuity, and regulatory exposure. 

Why This Matters 

As climate patterns shift, employers are seeing more frequent heat waves, extreme cold events, severe storms, wildfires, flooding, and infrastructure disruptions — often in regions and industries that were not historically exposed. These conditions affect both indoor and outdoor environments and contribute to a measurable rise in injuries and near-misses. 

Research now shows that heat-related workplace injuries extend far beyond heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Elevated temperatures are linked to increased slips, falls, equipment mishaps, and judgment errors — outcomes that directly impact safety performance and workers’ compensation costs. 

How Heat Exposure Increases Workplace Injury Risk 

George Washington University Milken Institute of School of Public Health estimates that nearly 28,000 workplace injuries each year are linked to hot weather, underscoring how heat acts as a broad injury risk multiplier. 

When workers are exposed to high temperatures, several factors converge: 

• Reduced concentration and slower reaction time 
• Fatigue and dehydration 
• Impaired grip and coordination due to sweat or PPE 
• Increased cardiovascular strain 

Individual susceptibility to extreme heat also plays a crucial role in increasing the risk of workplace temperature and climate-related hazards. As WorkCare explains in its guidance on Heat Intolerance and Medication Side Effects, certain health conditions and commonly prescribed medications can impair the body’s ability to regulate temperature, increasing the likelihood of heat illness and secondary injuries. 

Indoor Workplace Heat Hazards and Prevention Strategies 

Heat risk is not limited to outdoor worksites. The Occupational Safey and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes that indoor environments — including manufacturing floors, warehouses, food processing facilities, and distribution centers — can expose workers to dangerous heat levels. 

Common contributors include: 

• Poor ventilation or insufficient HVAC systems 
• Radiant heat from machinery or production processes 
• High humidity 
• Extended work duration without adequate rest 

According to OSHA heat safety guidance, effective occupational heat stress prevention relies on a combination of engineering controls, administrative policies, hydration protocols, acclimatization plans, and worker training. WorkCare’s guidance on Heat Illness Prevention and Management further outlines practical steps employers can take to identify early warning signs, respond appropriately, and reduce the risk of serious heat-related outcomes. 

Winter Cold Stress Hazards for Outdoor Workers 

While heat often dominates the conversation, cold stress in the workplace presents equally serious risks — particularly during winter months. Exposure to extreme cold can reduce dexterity, slow cognitive processing, and increase muscle stiffness, all of which elevate injury risk. 

Common winter-related hazards include: 

• Slips and falls on icy surfaces 
• Equipment handling errors due to numb hands 
• Vehicle incidents during snow or ice events 
• Hypothermia and frostbite 

Industries such as construction, utilities, logistics, transportation, and public works face elevated exposure, making winter cold stress hazards for outdoor workers a critical component of year-round safety planning. 

Extreme Weather Workplace Hazards Beyond Temperature 

Temperature extremes are only one dimension of climate risk. Employers must also prepare for a growing range of extreme weather workplace hazards, including hurricanes, flooding, wildfires, tornadoes, high winds, and landslides. 

These events can introduce complex health and safety challenges during emergency response, cleanup, and recovery — particularly when workers are exposed to debris, smoke, contaminated water, or unstable structures. National Safety Council emergency preparedness resources provide employers with practical tools for emergency planning, training, and response to help reduce injury risk before, during, and after severe weather events, while the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) offers guidance on protecting workers from environmental and occupational exposures following natural disasters. 

WorkCare’s perspective reinforces the importance of preparation. As outlined in our article, Natural Disaster Preparedness Promotes Resilience, effective planning helps organizations protect workers, maintain continuity, and recover more quickly when extreme weather disrupts normal operations. 

Regulatory Pressure and the OSHA Heat Standard 2026 

OSHA has advanced rulemaking toward a national heat standard, signaling heightened enforcement and clearer employer expectations in the coming years. The ongoing OSHA heat standard rulemaking reflects growing concern about both outdoor and indoor heat exposure across a wide range of industries. 

For employers, this raises important questions about employer responsibilities under the upcoming OSHA heat standard, including: 

• Written heat illness prevention programs 
• Defined heat thresholds and response actions 
• Training and acclimatization requirements 
• Recordkeeping and compliance documentation 

These developments underscore why workplace temperature and climate-related hazards are increasingly viewed as a core regulatory and operational risk heading into 2026. 

Preparing for Workplace Temperature and Climate-Related Hazards 

To reduce risk and protect workers, employers should begin strengthening their approach to workplace temperature and climate-related hazards now. Effective strategies include: 

• Improving ventilation, cooling, and heating systems 
• Establishing heat and cold exposure protocols 
• Adjusting work schedules during extreme conditions 
• Training workers to recognize early warning signs 
• Enhancing emergency preparedness for severe weather 

Practical, easy-to-implement measures can make a meaningful difference. WorkCare outlines three ways to prevent heat illness that employers can incorporate into existing safety programs without disrupting operations. 

Broader business-continuity considerations also play a role. Resources focused on natural disaster preparedness planning can help employers anticipate operational disruptions, support employees during emergencies, and recover more effectively following extreme weather events. 

How WorkCare Supports Climate-Related Risk Reduction 

WorkCare partners with employers to manage workplace temperature and climate-related hazards through integrated occupational health solutions, including: 

• Heat and cold exposure assessments 
• Incident Prevention and Wellness Solutions 
• On-Site Clinical Services for early symptom recognition 
• 24/7 Telehealth Triage for rapid response 
• Injury Care coordination and follow-up 
• Consulting Medical Director guidance for emergency planning 

This proactive, prevention-focused approach helps employers navigate climate-driven risk with confidence. 

Final Thoughts 

Temperature and climate-related hazards are a present and growing reality for employers nationwide. Whether it’s extreme heat in July or severe cold in January, the risks extend far beyond temperature discomfort — affecting safety, productivity, compliance, and workforce health. 

Employers in a wide range of industries trust WorkCare to help them assess climate-related risk, strengthen prevention strategies, and build resilient occupational health programs. Connect with us to learn how robust planning can help protect your workforce and support operational continuity in 2026 and beyond. 

Q&A: Workplace Temperature and Climate-Related Hazards 

Q: How does heat contribute to injuries beyond heat illness? 
A: Heat affects cognition, coordination, and endurance, increasing the likelihood of slips, falls, and equipment errors even when workers do not experience classic heat illness. 

Q: Are indoor workers at risk from heat exposure? 
A: Yes. Poor ventilation, radiant heat from equipment, and humidity can create hazardous indoor conditions comparable to outdoor heat exposure. 

Q: Why is cold stress often underestimated? 
A: Cold-related injuries often appear as routine slips or strains, masking the role temperature played in the injury mechanism. 

Q: What industries face the greatest climate-related risk? 
A: Construction, manufacturing, logistics, utilities, transportation, and public-sector operations are among those with the highest exposure. 

Q: How can employers prepare for future climate-related regulations? 
A: By implementing prevention programs, training workers, monitoring conditions, and aligning policies with emerging OSHA guidance. 

Q: What are some first-aid tips for reacting to illnesses from extreme temperatures? 
A: Refer to our Wellness Tips for details on what to look for and what to do in case of extreme temperature illness.