Extreme Weather Safety Stats and Facts

FACTS

Heat Stress: Extreme heat overloads the body’s cooling system, causing dehydration, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke—conditions that escalate quickly during outdoor work.
Cold Exposure: Low temperatures reduce blood flow to extremities, increasing the risk of frostbite, hypothermia, and loss of dexterity needed for safe work.
Lightning Strikes: Severe storms produce high electrical discharge; workers in open areas, near metal tools, or elevated positions face elevated strike risk.
High Winds: Sudden wind gusts can knock down ladders, tools, structures, and workers, especially on farms, construction sites, and open fields.
Flood Hazards: Flash floods can sweep away equipment, vehicles, or workers, and contaminated water creates electrical and biological hazards.
Wildfire Smoke: Smoke exposure reduces air quality and causes eye irritation, breathing difficulty, and reduced visibility, impairing safe task performance.
Rapid Weather Changes: Sudden temperature shifts or storm fronts can catch workers off guard, leaving no time to secure equipment or seek shelter.

In 2023, weather-related conditions contributed to 100 workplace fatalities in the US, out of 5,283 total fatal work injuries, often from slips, falls, or exposure during storms and extreme temperatures.
Extreme weather events in Canada are projected to cost $25 billion in 2025, accounting for half of the country’s GDP growth, with significant impacts on worker safety in sectors like construction and agriculture.
From 2020-2025, extreme heat events in Canada increased the risk of heat-related illnesses among outdoor workers, with studies showing a 40-60% rise in potential workplace injuries due to fatigue and reduced concentration.
In the US, about 60 employees die annually from weather-related causes (2020-2024 average), including electrocution, drowning, and injuries from falling objects during severe storms.
Canadian workplaces faced increased emergency response delays during extreme weather in 2023-2024, with 92% of business leaders reporting fears of climate-related disruptions affecting employee safety.
Between 2020-2024, cold stress incidents in Canadian federally regulated workplaces rose by 15-20%, linked to more frequent extreme winter events, leading to higher rates of frostbite and hypothermia claims.