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Association between high ambient temperature and acute work-related injury: a case-crossover analysis using workers' compensation claims data
McInnes, Judith A. Akram, Muhammad Macfarlane, Ewan M. Keegel, Tessa Sim, M. R. Smith, Peter
McInnes, Judith A.
Akram, Muhammad
Macfarlane, Ewan M.
Keegel, Tessa
Sim, M. R.
Smith, Peter
Abstract
Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the association between high ambient temperature and acute work-related injury, expanding on previous research in this area. Specifically we examined the relationship between both daytime and overnight temperatures and injury risk and disentangled physically demanding occupational exposures from exposure to outdoor working conditions. Methods A time-stratified case-crossover study design was used to examine the association between ambient temperatures and acute work-related injuries in Melbourne, Australia, 2002–2012, using workers’ compensation claims to identify work-related injuries. The relationship was assessed for both daily maximum and daily minimum temperatures using conditional logistic regression. Results Significant positive associations between temperature and acute work-related injury were seen for younger workers ( < 25 years), with the odds of injury increasing by 1% for each 1 °C increase in daily minimum temperature, and by 0.8% for each 1 °C increase in daily maximum temperature. Statistically significant associations were also observed between daily maximum temperature and risk of injury for workers employed in the highest strength occupations and for male workers, and between daily minimum temperature and injury for all cases combined, female workers, workers aged 25–35 and ≥55 years, "light" and "limited" physical demand groups, and "in vehicle or cab" and "regulated indoor climate" workplace exposure groups. Conclusions Young workers, male workers and workers engaged in heavy physical work are at increased risk of injury on hot days, and a wider range of worker subgroups are vulnerable to injury following a warm night. In light of climate change projections, this information is important for informing injury prevention strategies.
Keywords
Date
2017
Type
Journal article
Journal
Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment and Health
Book
Volume
43
Issue
1
Page Range
86-94
Article Number
ACU Department
Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research
Faculty of Health Sciences
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
School of Behavioural and Health Sciences
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Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled