48
workers died from exposure to environmental heat
This is the latest annual count reported in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics fatal occupational injury data.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024WORKPLACE REFERENCE
Workplace Heat and Hydration Statistics: 2026
A sourced national snapshot for facility, operations, and safety teams planning reliable access to water, breaks, and refreshment during hot conditions.
UPDATED SEPTEMBER 17, 2026
Heat planning is a daily operations question.
For commercial sites, readiness often comes down to practical access: where people work, when they take breaks, how shifts overlap, and whether water and cold beverages are available when they are needed. The figures below bring together the latest available government data and guidance in one place.
NATIONAL DATA SNAPSHOT
Six facts to inform a practical heat plan.
2,391
heat-related deaths were reported in the United States
The national figure includes deaths where heat was identified as an underlying or contributing cause.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20241,600
heat-related deaths were reported in the United States
The 2021 count shows that heat risk is not limited to a single unusually hot season.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021702
average heat-related deaths occurred each year
This is the annual average across 2004 through 2018, based on national death certificate data.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2004-20182 in 3
Americans were under heat alerts in 2023
Heat alerts reached more than two-thirds of the country during the year.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20238 oz
of water every 15-20 minutes
OSHA guidance for hot work environments recommends encouraging regular drinking rather than relying on thirst alone.
Source: Occupational Safety and Health Administration, accessed September 17, 2026WHAT THIS MEANS FOR SITES
Make access dependable before the day gets busy.
Data cannot replace a site-specific plan. It can help facility leaders ask the right questions: Are water and cold beverages close to the people who need them? Do break areas support every shift? Is replenishment planned around peak use? Can site teams find help quickly when service is needed?
For sites in Northern Virginia and Washington, DC, a managed hydration or workplace refreshment program can make those day-to-day details easier to maintain.
Explore Managed Hydration →METHODOLOGY AND SOURCES
How to use this page.
This page summarizes publicly available figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Each figure links to its original source and retains the source year or period. National heat-related death figures are broader public-health measures, while the workplace fatality figure specifically covers occupational exposure to environmental heat.
Last updated September 17, 2026. DMV Snack Hub will review these sources regularly and update this page when newer material figures are published.
Cite this page
DMV Snack Hub. “Workplace Heat and Hydration Statistics: 2026.” Updated September 17, 2026. dmvsnackhub.com/workplace-heat-statistics
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