Tackling Heat Stress in the Crane Industry

Heat exposure killed 55 workers across all industries in 2023, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In 2021 and 2022, nearly 5,000 people suffered heat-related injuries or illnesses that resulted in days away from work. To help combat this growing threat, the National Safety Council, in partnership with the NCCCO Foundation, released a new resource, Addressing Heat Stress in the Crane Industry.

“Workers in the crane industry face unique and elevated risks due to environmental conditions and the physical demands of the job,” said Katherine Mendoza, senior director of workplace safety programs at NSC.

“This report highlights how practical interventions – like rest breaks, cooling stations, acclimatization protocols and technology – can prevent serious injury and save lives.”

Published through the Council’s Work to Zero initiative, the report offers targeted recommendations to protect crane workers from high-heat hazards. This industry often involves extended periods in direct sunlight or enclosed spaces where temperatures can soar.

Effective heat stress management requires a holistic approach.

Key recommendations include:

• Comprehensive approach: Effective heat stress management requires a holistic approach combining onsite prevention, environmental monitoring and clearly defined heat safety policies and procedures
• Work practice adjustments: Implementing small but strategic changes can significantly reduce risk, such as structured work/rest cycles, cooling stations or acclimatization schedules
• Worker education: Education and training are critical in addressing individual vulnerabilities related to hydration, medical history and substance use
• Technology integration: Wearable devices and lone worker technologies offer real-time alerts and hazard monitoring for added protection

A 2023 Work to Zero and NCCCO Foundation survey of more than 2,000 crane personnel underscores the urgency of this issue. Three in four respondents reported being “likely” or “very likely” to experience heat stress or illness while working. Respondents also identified heat stress as the top contributing factor to personal injuries (18%) and injuries sustained by others on site (16%).

“The work done in partnership with the NSC continues to be vital in furthering the mission of the NCCCO Foundation to improve worksite safety for those working in the crane industry,” said T.J. Cantwell, executive director at NCCCO Foundation.

“This report on heat stress and the accompanying webinar provide employers and employees with important steps they can take to protect themselves from dangerous heat related injuries, especially during the middle of the summer with heat advisories occurring regularly throughout the U.S.”

The NCCCO Foundation will host a webinar on July 9, 2025, with NSC and a crane safety expert to discuss the new report and various ways to deal with the hazards caused by heat when working in and around cranes. Anyone interested in attending can register for the webinar at https://bit.ly/HeatStressInTheCraneIndustryWebinar.

This report marks the fourth resource in the ongoing collaboration between Work to Zero and the NCCCO Foundation to support data-driven safety solutions in the crane industry.

Funded by the McElhattan Foundation, Work to Zero aims to eliminate workplace fatalities through the advancement and adoption of technology. To learn more about creating a safer workplace, visit nsc.org/worktozero.