Crane Hot Line is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
With extreme temperatures posing an increasing threat to outdoor workers, the National Safety Council (NSC), in partnership with the NCCCO Foundation, has released a new report focused on protecting crane workers from heat-related hazards. The report, "Addressing Heat Stress in the Crane Industry", is part of the NSC’s Work to Zero initiative and outlines strategies to reduce the risk of heat stress and related injuries in crane operations.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, heat exposure claimed the lives of 55 workers across all industries in 2023. In 2021 and 2022, nearly 5,000 workers suffered heat-related injuries or illnesses that resulted in missed workdays. The new NSC and NCCCO Foundation report aims to mitigate these incidents by offering targeted recommendations tailored to the crane sector.
“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.”
The report emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach that includes environmental monitoring, clearly defined heat safety policies and adjustments to work practices. It also stresses the importance of educating workers about individual risk factors such as hydration, medical history and substance use. Additionally, the report highlights how wearable devices and lone worker technologies can support real-time hazard monitoring and alerts.
A 2023 survey conducted by Work to Zero and the NCCCO Foundation, which gathered responses from more than 2,000 crane personnel, revealed that 75% of participants felt “likely” or “very likely” to experience heat stress or illness on the job. Respondents cited heat stress as the leading contributor to both personal injuries and those sustained by coworkers.
“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 the 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.”
To support the release of the report, the NCCCO Foundation will host a webinar on July 9, 2025, featuring experts from NSC and the crane safety field. The session will explore findings from the report and offer guidance on how to manage heat hazards in crane operations. Registration is available at bit.ly/HeatStressInTheCraneIndustryWebinar.
This marks the fourth collaborative resource between NSC’s Work to Zero initiative and the NCCCO Foundation. The Work to Zero program, funded by the McElhattan Foundation, focuses on eliminating workplace fatalities through technology-driven safety solutions. For more information, visit nsc.org/worktozero.
