The recent wildfires in Canada have had a significant impact on the environment. With the uptick in these natural disasters, one wonders what this means for injured worker claims in the future. While it is hard to predict the outcome of natural disasters, we must prepare ourselves for the worst and ensure that workers who have been affected have access to the proper support and resources needed for recovery. It is also crucial that we continue to push for stricter environmental regulations to prevent these types of disasters from happening in the first place.

While children stay indoors and tech workers operate remotely, the construction industry has not yet established regulations for air pollution. Surprisingly, even the Environmental Protection Agency and OSHA do not have policies for stopping outdoor work during harmful air conditions. With the recent Canadian fires causing a thick layer of smoke to blanket the Northeastern United States, many wonder if worker injury claims will increase in the coming weeks. The haze has made breathing difficult for people, and visibility is significantly reduced, creating a potentially dangerous work environment for those working outside. It’s essential to remember that employers have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their employees and take necessary precautions to prevent accidents. Time will tell how significant the impact of the smoke will be on worker injury claims, but it’s certainly a situation that calls for caution and attention.

According to the ConstructionDive publication, Turner Construction puts its workers first by deferring activities on projects with air quality concerns. Additionally, the company works with its partners to provide N95 masks for its workforce to ensure their safety and well-being.

For now, contractors proceeding with their work can concentrate on the following suggestions.

• Deviate the work schedule to temporarily shift workers to indoor work.
• For indoor work, keep all windows closed and only run air handling systems with mechanical filtering.
• Look to reduce the length of work shifts and reduce physically demanding work that requires higher breathing rates.
• Educate workers about wildfire smoke hazards and encourage them to speak up if air quality or symptoms worsen.
• Offer NIOSH approved respirators, such as N95 masks.

Workers’ compensation claims are likely to rise during wildfire season, mainly related to respiratory ailments and heat exhaustion. Insurers are taking measures to handle an upsurge of claims due to wildfire smoke exposure. Wildfires in the northeast US highlight the need to address climate change and prevent future fires. As we brace ourselves for future wildfire seasons, employers and insurers must work together to address the unique challenges of wildfires.

If you have an injured construction worker, MTI is here to lend a hand in getting them back on their feet. Trust us to provide the assistance they need to recover quickly and get back on their feet. Learn More about MTI America. https://www.mtiamerica.com