Outdoor Workers and the Texas Heat: Your Rights During OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week

August in Texas is notorious for extreme heat, and outdoor workers like construction crews, landscapers, and utility employees face some of the toughest conditions. High temperatures combined with humidity can put workers in real danger, leading to serious heat-related illnesses that sometimes turn deadly.

This week, OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week highlights workplace safety across the nation. For Texans, it’s a timely reminder that heat protection is a critical part of keeping employees safe. Employers have a legal duty to take heat safety seriously, and workers should know what rights they have if that duty is ignored.

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Outdoor workers face serious risks from extreme Texas heat. If you or your loved one has been injured due to heat exposure on the job, call Shaw at 800-862-1260 for a free consultation today.

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Heat-Related Illnesses Outdoor Workers Face

Heat stress is one of the most preventable workplace hazards, yet thousands of employees still suffer injuries every year. In 2020 alone, over 2,300 U.S. workers missed time on the job due to heat-related illnesses. In Texas, the risks are even greater, with workplace deaths tied to heat exposure climbing since the 1990s.

Some of the most common — and dangerous — heat-related conditions include:

• Heat Exhaustion — After prolonged exposure, workers may feel nausea, dizziness, heavy sweating, and extreme fatigue.

• Heat Stroke — This life-threatening emergency occurs when the body overheats, causing confusion, headache, and loss of consciousness. Without immediate treatment, heat stroke can be fatal.

• Dehydration and Kidney Issues — Long hours in high heat without adequate fluids can strain organs and lead to long-term damage.

• Skin Damage — Repeated exposure to intense sunlight increases the risk of burns and even skin cancer.

These conditions show why safety measures like breaks, shade, and hydration are not optional — they are necessary to protect lives.

Employer Responsibilities Under OSHA

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not have a heat-specific regulation, but it enforces protections through the General Duty Clause, which requires employers to keep workplaces free of known hazards. In Texas, this means that companies with outdoor employees must actively take steps to reduce heat risks.

Practical employer obligations may include:

• Providing shaded rest areas and cool drinking water on job sites.

• Modifying schedules to avoid the hottest times of day whenever possible.

• Offering clear safety training about heat stress and prevention, in a language workers understand.

• Closely observing new employees, who may not be fully acclimated to working in the heat.

Failing to implement these measures not only puts employees in danger but can also open employers up to liability when accidents occur.

Workers’ Rights and Legal Options

Outdoor workers injured by heat exposure should know that they have legal options. Depending on the employer and the circumstances of the injury, possible remedies include:

• Workers’ Compensation — Most Texas employers carry workers’ comp insurance, which can help cover medical treatment, lost wages, and rehabilitation after a heat-related injury.

• Third-Party Claims — If another company or contractor created unsafe conditions that contributed to the accident, injured workers may be able to file additional claims.

• Non-Subscriber Lawsuits — Some private Texas employers opt out of workers’ compensation coverage. If a non-subscriber employer is negligent, injured employees can sue directly for damages.

Understanding these rights ensures that workers and their families are not left without recourse after a preventable injury.

Heat Injury At Work? Call Shaw.

Working outdoors in the Texas sun is already demanding — it should never mean risking your life. If you or a loved one has been injured while working outside due to unsafe conditions, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Ambulance and ER treatment

• Surgeries and follow-up care

• Ongoing medical bills

• Lost wages and missed work

• Pain and suffering

• Wrongful death claims

• And more

Call Shaw today at 800-862-1260 or use the live chat to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our San Antonio personal injury attorneys. There are no fees or obligations attached–just the expert legal advice you need when it matters the most.

At Carabin Shaw, we’ve stood up for Texas workers and their families for over 32 years. We look forward to serving you.

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¹TxDOT on Protecting Workers From Indoor and Outdoor Heat Hazards

²OSHA on Employer Responsibilities