The impact of apparent temperature on occupational injuries in Australia

Abstract

Introduction: Hot temperatures are associated with an increased risk for work-related injuries increases. But nation-wide estimates for this risk are underexplored, particularly when indoor and outdoor heat exposure and the effects of cold. This study aimed to explore how this risk are affected by apparent heat stress.

Materials and Methods: Workers' compensation claims from Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney from 2005 to 2018 were merged with weather station and workers’ demographic data. Workers and heat exposure were classified as indoors or outdoors. The daily risk of occupational injuries from wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and Steadman’s apparent temperature were quantified separately using time series analysis and distributed lag non-linear models. National estimates were obtained using meta-analysis.

Results and Conclusions: The relative risk for occupational injuries was similar within the middle 50% of WBGT values but otherwise increased curvilinearly. 26852 (95% CI: 16890 - 36203) of injuries were attributed to non-optimal WBGT, equivalent to an attributable fraction of 1.63% (95% CI: 1.03 – 2.2%). Nearly three times as many injuries were due to hot (1.21%, 95%: 0.75 - 1.64) instead of cold exposure (0.42, 95% CI: 0.04 - 0.83). Only small differences were observed between outdoor and indoor workers. Similar results were obtained using Steadman’s apparent temperature. Global warming will likely exacerbate the risk of occupational injuries. Workplace heat adaptation and prevention measures are imperative to reduce the risk of injuries.