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The summer solstice, marking the beginning of astronomical summer, is on June 20 this year. It’s also the longest day of the year so there’s more daylight, and sometimes more heat, for the 33.0 percent of workers exposed to the outdoors as a regular part of their job in 2023. Occupations with a high level of outdoor exposure include those involved in construction, landscaping, and public safety. For example, at least 99.5 percent of firefighters, landscaping and groundskeeping workers, and construction laborers were exposed to the outdoors while on the job.
Percent of workers with outdoor exposure by occupation, 2023
Occupation
Percent
All workers
33.0
Firefighters
99.5
Landscaping and groundskeeping workers
99.5
Construction laborers
99.5
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
99.5
Roofers
99.5
Highway maintenance workers
99.5
Rail-track laying and maintenance equipment operators
99.5
Earth drillers, except oil and gas
99.5
Electrical power-line installers and repairers
99.5
Ambulance drivers and attendants, except emergency medical technicians
99.5
Police and sheriff's patrol officers
99.4
Insurance appraisers, auto damage
98.2
Reinforcing iron and rebar workers
97.6
Captains, mates, and pilots of water vessels
97.5
Paramedics
97.4
Fire inspectors and investigators
97.1
Note: A value of 99.5 percent indicates 99.5 to 100.0 percent.
On-the-job exposure to extreme temperatures can be dangerous. Over the 2021–22 period, the trade, transportation, and utilities industry had 1,420 workplace injuries that resulted in at least one day away from work due to exposure to extreme environmental heat. Manufacturing had 980 days away from work cases and professional and business services had 740.
United States Department of Labor
