Blesson M Varghese1, Adrian G Barnett2, Alana L Hansen1, Peng Bi1, John Nairn3,4, Shelley Rowett5, Monika Nitschke6, Scott Hanson-Easey1, Jane S Heyworth7, Malcolm R Sim8, Dino L Pisaniello9. 1. The University of Adelaide, School of Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia. 2. School of Public Health and Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. 3. Australian Bureau of Meteorology, Adelaide, SA, Australia. 4. The University of Adelaide, School of Biological Science, Adelaide, SA, Australia. 5. SafeWork SA, Government of South Australia, 33 Richmond Road, Keswick, SA, 5035, Australia. 6. Department for Health and Ageing, Government of South Australia, 11 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia. 7. School of Population and Global Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia. 8. Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. 9. The University of Adelaide, School of Public Health, Adelaide, SA, Australia. dino.pisaniello@adelaide.edu.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Heatwaves have potential health and safety implications for many workers, and heatwaves are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity with climate change. There is currently a lack of comparative evidence for the effects of heatwaves on workers' health and safety in different climates (sub-tropical and temperate). This study examined the relationship between heatwave severity (as defined by the Excess Heat Factor) and workers' compensation claims, to define impacts and identify workers at higher risk. METHODS: Workers' compensation claims data from Australian cities with temperate (Melbourne and Perth) and subtropical (Brisbane) climates for the years 2006-2016 were analysed in relation to heatwave severity categories (low and moderate/high severity) using time-stratified case-crossover models. RESULTS: Consistent impacts of heatwaves were observed in each city with either a protective or null effect during heatwaves of low-intensity while claims increased during moderate/high-severity heatwaves compared with non-heatwave days. The highest effect during moderate/high-severity heatwaves was in Brisbane (RR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.42-1.48). Vulnerable worker subgroups identified across the three cities included: males, workers aged under 34 years, apprentice/trainee workers, labour hire workers, those employed in medium and heavy strength occupations, and workers from outdoor and indoor industrial sectors. CONCLUSION: These findings show that work-related injuries and illnesses increase during moderate/high-severity heatwaves in both sub-tropical and temperate climates. Heatwave forecasts should signal the need for heightened heat awareness and preventive measures to minimise the risks to workers.
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Heatwaves have potential health and safety implications for many workers, and heatwaves are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity with climate change. There is currently a lack of comparative evidence for the effects of heatwaves on workers' health and safety in different climates (sub-tropical and temperate). This study examined the relationship between heatwave severity (as defined by the Excess Heat Factor) and workers' compensation claims, to define impacts and identify workers at higher risk. METHODS: Workers' compensation claims data from Australian cities with temperate (Melbourne and Perth) and subtropical (Brisbane) climates for the years 2006-2016 were analysed in relation to heatwave severity categories (low and moderate/high severity) using time-stratified case-crossover models. RESULTS: Consistent impacts of heatwaves were observed in each city with either a protective or null effect during heatwaves of low-intensity while claims increased during moderate/high-severity heatwaves compared with non-heatwave days. The highest effect during moderate/high-severity heatwaves was in Brisbane (RR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.42-1.48). Vulnerable worker subgroups identified across the three cities included: males, workers aged under 34 years, apprentice/trainee workers, labour hire workers, those employed in medium and heavy strength occupations, and workers from outdoor and indoor industrial sectors. CONCLUSION: These findings show that work-related injuries and illnesses increase during moderate/high-severity heatwaves in both sub-tropical and temperate climates. Heatwave forecasts should signal the need for heightened heat awareness and preventive measures to minimise the risks to workers.
Entities:
Keywords:
Heatwave; Morbidity; Workers health and safety
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