Hot Weather Hazards: Protecting Workers and Equipment

As temperatures rise, so does the risk to your workforce and equipment. Contractors, manufacturing operations, and municipalities face unique challenges during extreme heat waves, from worker heat illnesses to costly equipment breakdowns. Preparation isn’t just about comfort—it’s about safety, productivity, and loss prevention.

The Impact on Workers

Heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion or heat stroke are serious hazards for outdoor crews, shop workers, and field technicians. Common symptoms include:

• Excessive sweating

• Dizziness or nausea

• Fatigue and confusion

Tips to protect workers:

• Enforce mandatory hydration breaks

• Provide shaded or air-conditioned rest areas

• Rotate shifts to avoid peak sun hours

• Train staff to recognize early signs of heat illness

• Ensure workers have lightweight, breathable PPE

Insurance Tip: Make sure your Workers’ Compensation policy covers heat-related incidents and includes return-to-work support after a heat-related illness.

The Impact on Equipment

High temperatures can wreak havoc on equipment—from overheating motors to cracking rubber seals or degrading hydraulic fluids. Unscheduled downtime due to heat can cost thousands in lost productivity and repairs.

Common risks include:

• Overheating engines or electronics

• Battery failure

• Hydraulic fluid degradation

• Tire blowouts

Preventive maintenance strategies:

• Inspect and replace fluids regularly

• Use heat-resistant hoses and materials where possible

• Store sensitive equipment in shaded or cooled areas

• Check HVAC and cooling systems frequently

Insurance Tip: Review your Commercial Property and Inland Marine policies to confirm they reflect the full replacement value of your mobile tools, heavy equipment, and field gear.

Business Interruption and Insurance Planning

Hot weather isn’t just a safety or equipment issue—it’s a business continuity issue. Extended heatwaves can trigger delays, equipment shutdowns, or even temporary business closures.

Recommended insurance coverages:

• Business Interruption Insurance – Protects your income if operations pause due to heat-related damages

• Inland Marine Insurance – Covers mobile tools, jobsite gear, and equipment stored offsite

• Equipment Breakdown Insurance – Helps cover repair costs and income loss from equipment failure

Extreme heat is here to stay—and businesses must plan accordingly. By building proactive safety programs, training your teams, and reviewing insurance coverage, you can stay cool under pressure.

#TedfordTips #Insurance

Product descriptions provide a summary of coverage and are provided as a reference only. The actual policy determines coverage. The policy contains exclusions, limitations and other provisions not referenced (or only briefly summarized) here and the policy should be consulted for full coverage terms, conditions, and requirements.