Impact of California’s Heat Standard on Workers’ Compensation Outcomes

Join us for a 30-minute webinar on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 2:00 PM ET, highlighting findings from WCRI's latest report, Impact of California’s Heat Standard on Workers’ Compensation Outcomes.

“With policymakers at all levels debating heat safety standards, this study offers measurable evidence of how California’s 2005 heat standard impacted injury frequency in occupations covered by the standard, such as construction, agriculture, and transportation,” said Ramona Tanabe, WCRI president and CEO.

During the webinar, Sebastian Negrusa, WCRI vice president of research, will address key questions:

• How large is the impact of the heat standard on injury frequency in industries with outdoor heat exposure?
• Does the impact of the heat standard increase with higher temperatures?
• Does the impact of the heat standard vary for younger versus older workers?

Previous WCRI research found that excessive heat not only causes heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion but also impairs judgment and perception, increasing the risk of accidents such as being struck by machinery. Heat-related illnesses are 11 to 18 times more frequent on days above 95°F compared with days between 75 and 80°F, yet they represent 20 to 25 percent of all injuries attributable to heat.

Webinars are $50 for non-members and FREE for WCRI members, members of the press, and legislators, as well as their staff. Registration is limited to 500 people, and all registrants will receive a copy of the webinar slides and a recording of the session.