Canada Heat Wave Boosts Workplace Injury Rates

A mid‑July heat wave swept across Canada, with humidex readings reaching 45°C in parts of southern Ontario and western Quebec, according to Environment Canada. Researchers found that higher temperatures raise the likelihood of workplace injuries. A peer‑reviewed study of 374,078 workers’‑compensation claims in Quebec showed the injury rate climbs by about 0.2 % for each 1 °C increase in daily maximum temperature, affecting both indoor and outdoor jobs. Similar U.S. research linked hotter days to a 3 % rise in injury odds at 27 °C, up to 20 % at 43 °C, estimating roughly 28,000 extra injuries nationally in 2023. The Canadian public also experiences rapid swings from severe cold to high‑30s °C summer heat, underscoring the broader health and safety challenges posed by extreme temperatures.

These findings highlight how heat stress impairs attention, balance and judgment, increasing the risk of falls, vehicle crashes and other accidents among construction workers, farm laborers, factory staff and restaurant employees.