New Report Exposes Dangerous Winter Conditions for Outdoor Workers
New research reveals harsh winter conditions put outdoor workers at risk, with many sidelined by injuries.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Mar 28, 2025
As winter gives way to spring, new research from Atticus highlights the persistent dangers faced by outdoor workers and the critical gaps in employer support. A key finding from the report highlights that 39% of outdoor workers have stopped working due to a winter-related injury or health issue.
An analysis of federal workplace injury data, along with a survey of 1,004 outdoor workers, reveals the physical, financial, and mental toll that extreme cold conditions continue to impose on the U.S. workforce.
Key Findings:
- 31% have refused work because of unsafe winter conditions.
- 1 in 4 do not report winter-related injuries due to job pressure, with numbers rising to 28% in construction and 30% in emergency services.
- Outdoor workers endure an average of 86 minutes in extreme cold without breaks.
- 38% experience seasonal depression related to winter working conditions.
The report also ranks Alaska, Maine, and Minnesota as the most hazardous states for outdoor winter work, based on high injury rates and subzero temperatures. While 47% of workers reported their employers provided full winter gear, more than half (53%) spent an average of $160 out of pocket to stay warm and safe.
Derek Silva, Data Journalist and Content Lead at Atticus, stated, “Cold-weather work is pushing outdoor workers to the brink physically, financially, and psychologically. In the states with the most hazardous winter work conditions like Alaska, Maine, and Minnesota, nearly 40% of outdoor workers are sidelined each season by injuries or health issues caused by cold weather. About 1 in 7 workers experience multiple incidents per season.”
Silva added, “Beyond the physical risks, most employees are footing the bill for their winter gear, spending an average of $160 out of pocket just to stay warm. The average worker also endures 86 minutes in freezing temperatures without a break. We found that the average coldest temperature on the job is just 14°F. Even with the injury risk being so high, nearly one in four say they have kept silent about a winter-related injury due to job pressure. That rate is higher in some industries, like emergency services and construction. Layered on top of the physical and financial dangers is a less-often discussed but no less dangerous crisis: 38% of outdoor workers report experiencing seasonal depression, a mental health burden that compounds the already unforgiving winter work conditions.”
The findings from Atticus call for stronger workplace safety policies and increased employer responsibility as severe weather becomes more common.
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.