Extreme heat and occupational heat illnesses in South Australia, 2001-2010

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dc.contributor.authorXiang, J.
dc.contributor.authorHansen, A.
dc.contributor.authorPisaniello, D.
dc.contributor.authorBi, P.
dc.date.issued2015
dc.description.abstractObjectives This study aims to examine the epidemiological characteristics of occupational heat illnesses in South Australia, to quantify the association between ambient temperature and occupational heat illnesses, and to investigate the impact of heatwaves on occupational heat illnesses. Methods Workers ’ compensation claims data and weather data were obtained from SafeWork South Australia and the Bureau of Meteorology, respectively, for 2001 – 2010. Time series analysis with generalised estimation equation models and linear spline functions was used to quantify the temperature – heat illness claims association. A case-crossover design was applied to investigate the impact of heatwaves on occupational heat illnesses. Results There were 306 heat illness claims during the study period, with an incidence rate of 4.5 per 100 000 employees. The overall risk of occupational heat illness was positively associated with maximum temperature (T max ), especially when T max was over the threshold of 35.5°C. One degree increase of T max was associated with a 12.7% (incidence rate ratio 1.127, 95% CI 1.067 to 1.190) increase of occupational heat illness claims. During heatwave periods, the risk of occupational heat illness was about 4 – 7 times higher than that of non- heatwave periods. Conclusions There is a need to develop or re fi ne current heat-related regulations and guidelines to minimise the risk of occupational heat illnesses in vulnerable workers in a warming climate.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityJianjun Xiang, Alana Hansen, Dino Pisaniello, Peng Bi
dc.identifier.citationOccupational and Environmental Medicine, 2015; 72(8):580-586
dc.identifier.doi10.1136/oemed-2014-102706
dc.identifier.issn1470-7926
dc.identifier.issn1470-7926
dc.identifier.orcidXiang, J. [0000-0002-6862-2696]
dc.identifier.orcidHansen, A. [0000-0003-0195-3770]
dc.identifier.orcidPisaniello, D. [0000-0002-4156-0608]
dc.identifier.orcidBi, P. [0000-0002-3238-3427]
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/2440/92974
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherBMJ
dc.rights© 2015 by the BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. All rights reserved.
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1136/oemed-2014-102706
dc.subjectOccupational heat illness; compensation claim; heat stress; heat-related injury
dc.titleExtreme heat and occupational heat illnesses in South Australia, 2001-2010
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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