Outdoor Workers Share the Realities of Winter Conditions

For those who work outdoors, winter isn’t just cold — it can be dangerous. From subzero temperatures to icy conditions, outdoor workers face serious risks, including injuries, illness, and even seasonal depression. Some states are far more treacherous than others, with frigid temperatures and high workplace injury rates putting workers in jeopardy.

To understand the challenges these workers face, Atticus analyzed federal workplace injury data and winter temperatures across the U.S. and surveyed 1,004 outdoor workers about their experiences. The findings highlight the dangers of winter work and the level of employer support — or lack thereof — that these workers receive.

Key takeaways

• Alaska, Maine, and Minnesota rank as the most dangerous states for outdoor winter work, combining high workplace injury and illness rates with extreme winter temperatures as low as 9°F.

• Maine has the highest average injury and illness incidence rate: 4.3 per 100 workers.

• Outdoor workers endure extreme conditions, with an average coldest temperature of 14°F while on the job, and spend 86 minutes in extreme cold without breaks.

• 39% of outdoor workers have stopped working due to a winter-related injury or health issue, with 14% experiencing such incidents multiple times each winter.

• 38% of outdoor workers experience seasonal depression during winter work.

• While 47% of workers state their employers fully supplied winter gear, 53% report spending an average of $160 out of pocket annually.

• 1 in 5 outside workers don’t feel adequately supported by their employer during winter months.

Winter work dangers by state

• Based on workplace injury and illness rates and average minimum winter temperatures, Alaska, Maine, and Minnesota are the most dangerous states for outdoor winter work.

• Alaska is the most extreme state for outdoor winter work, with an average minimum temperature of just 9°F from 2020 to 2023. Minnesota, Wyoming, and Montana follow closely, with average minimum temperatures ranging from 11°F to 16°F.

• Hawaii and Louisiana experience significantly milder winters and have the warmest average minimum temperatures, 68°F and 49°F, respectively.

• Maine leads the nation in workplace risk, with the highest average incidence rate of 4.3 injuries or illnesses per 100 workers from 2020 to 2023.

• The lowest incidence rates are found in New Mexico (1.3), Louisiana (1.7), and Texas (2.0).

The cold reality of winter work

• Outdoor workers endure extreme conditions, with an average coldest temperature of 14°F while on the job and spending 86 minutes in extreme cold without breaks.

Most common unsafe conditions workers face in winter by industry

Emergency services (first responders)

• Icy surfaces: 47%

• Extreme cold temperatures: 27%

• Unstable or poorly maintained structures: 23%

Utility services

• Icy surfaces: 41%

• Poor visibility: 21%

• Extreme cold temperatures: 21%

Construction

• Icy surfaces: 33%

• Extreme cold temperatures: 31%

• Poor visibility: 23%

Transportation/Delivery

• Icy surfaces: 30%

• Poor visibility: 25%

• Extreme cold temperatures: 24%

Agriculture

• Icy surfaces: 29%

• Poor visibility: 28%

• Extreme cold temperatures: 20%

• 39% of outdoor workers have stopped working due to a winter-related injury or health issue, with 14% experiencing such incidents multiple times each winter.

• Almost half of construction workers (47%) have had to stop working due to winter-related work injuries or health issues.

• Nearly 1 in 4 outdoor workers (23%) admit they have not reported a winter-related injury or illness due to job pressure, with outdoor workers in emergency services (30%) and construction (28%) being the most likely to say so.

• Over a third (38%) experience seasonal depression during winter work.

Do employers support winter workers?

• While 47% of workers stated their employers fully supplied winter gear, 53% reported spending an average of $160 out of pocket annually.

• Nearly 1 in 5 outside workers don’t feel adequately supported by their employer during winter months.

What winter safety measures does your employer provide?

• Heated shelters or vehicles for breaks: 61%

• First aid or emergency supplies: 43%

• Heated or insulated work gear: 41%

• Training for extreme cold: 37%

• Slip-resistant footwear or gear: 33%

What to do after a work injury

The first step most workers should take after a work injury is to report it to their boss, manager, or employer as soon as possible. Reporting an injury allows them to file for workers’ compensation benefits.

Workers’ compensation is an insurance program that almost all employers are required to have. When a worker gets hurt and can’t do their job for multiple days because of injury, they can file a workers’ compensation claim. They’ll receive partial payments for lost wages, plus free coverage for all necessary medical care.

However, someone can only file a claim if they report their injury within days of it happening — even if it seems fine at first or never leads to missed work.

Keep in mind that a company cannot legally fire an employee for filing a workers’ comp claim. It’s also a no-fault program, so workers are eligible no matter who was responsible for the injury.

Methodology

Atticus collected data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), and World Weather API to determine the most challenging states for outside workers during winter months. We determined this using the following metrics:

• Incidence rate of workplace injury and illness cases (60%): the average incidence rate of workplace injury and illness cases per 100 workers by state

• Weather (40%): the average minimum temperatures during the winter months (December, January, February) from 2020-2023 via World Weather API

We also surveyed 1,004 Americans whose work requires them to be outside to explore the unique challenges they face during the winter months. The survey was conducted in January 2025.

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