Rongrong Sheng1, Changchang Li1, Qiong Wang1, Lianping Yang1, Junzhe Bao1, Kaiwen Wang1, Rui Ma1, Chuansi Gao2, Shao Lin3, Ying Zhang4, Peng Bi5, Chuandong Fu6, Cunrui Huang7. 1. School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. 2. Thermal Environment Laboratory, Division of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology, Department of Design Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. 3. Departments of Environmental Health Sciences and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, USA. 4. School of Public Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia. 5. Discipline of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia. 6. Guangdong Province Work Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: fucd168168@163.com. 7. School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China. Electronic address: huangcr@mail.sysu.edu.cn.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite increasing concerns about the health effects of climate change, the extent to which workers are affected by hot weather is not well documented. This study aims to investigate the association between high temperatures and work-related injuries using data from a large subtropical city in China. METHODS: We used workers' compensation claims to identify work-related injuries in Guangzhou, China during 2011-2012. To feature the heat effect, the study period was restricted to the warm seasons in Guangzhou (1 May-31 October). We conducted a time-stratified case-crossover study to examine the association between ambient outdoor temperatures, including daily maximum and minimum temperatures, and cases of work-related injury. The relationships were assessed using conditional Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Overall, a total of 5418 workers' compensation claims were included over the study period. Both maximum and minimum temperatures were significantly associated with work-related injuries, but associations varied by subgroup. One °C increase in maximum temperature was associated with a 1.4% (RR = 1.014, 95%CIs 1.012-1.017) increase in daily injury claims. Significant associations were seen for male and middle-aged workers, workers in small and medium-sized enterprises, and those working in manufacturing sector. And 1 °C increase in minimum temperature was associated with 1.7% (RR = 1.017, 95%CIs 1.012-1.021) increase in daily injury claims. Significant associations were observed for female and middle-aged workers, workers in large-sized enterprises, and those working in transport and construction sectors. CONCLUSIONS: We found a higher risk of work-related injuries due to hot weather in Guangzhou, China. This study provides important epidemiological evidence for policy-makers and industry that may assist in the formulation of occupational safety and climate adaptation strategies.
BACKGROUND: Despite increasing concerns about the health effects of climate change, the extent to which workers are affected by hot weather is not well documented. This study aims to investigate the association between high temperatures and work-related injuries using data from a large subtropical city in China. METHODS: We used workers' compensation claims to identify work-related injuries in Guangzhou, China during 2011-2012. To feature the heat effect, the study period was restricted to the warm seasons in Guangzhou (1 May-31 October). We conducted a time-stratified case-crossover study to examine the association between ambient outdoor temperatures, including daily maximum and minimum temperatures, and cases of work-related injury. The relationships were assessed using conditional Poisson regression models. RESULTS: Overall, a total of 5418 workers' compensation claims were included over the study period. Both maximum and minimum temperatures were significantly associated with work-related injuries, but associations varied by subgroup. One °C increase in maximum temperature was associated with a 1.4% (RR = 1.014, 95%CIs 1.012-1.017) increase in daily injury claims. Significant associations were seen for male and middle-aged workers, workers in small and medium-sized enterprises, and those working in manufacturing sector. And 1 °C increase in minimum temperature was associated with 1.7% (RR = 1.017, 95%CIs 1.012-1.021) increase in daily injury claims. Significant associations were observed for female and middle-aged workers, workers in large-sized enterprises, and those working in transport and construction sectors. CONCLUSIONS: We found a higher risk of work-related injuries due to hot weather in Guangzhou, China. This study provides important epidemiological evidence for policy-makers and industry that may assist in the formulation of occupational safety and climate adaptation strategies.
Authors: Alana L Hansen; Susan Williams; Scott Hanson-Easey; Blesson M Varghese; Peng Bi; Jane Heyworth; Monika Nitschke; Shelley Rowett; Malcolm R Sim; Dino L Pisaniello Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-01-29 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Miranda Dally; Jaime Butler-Dawson; Cecilia J Sorensen; Mike Van Dyke; Katherine A James; Lyndsay Krisher; Diana Jaramillo; Lee S Newman Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-11-06 Impact factor: 3.390