Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30406332›Full record

ArticleInternational archives of occupational and environmental health2019

Heatwave and work-related injuries and illnesses in Adelaide, Australia: a case-crossover analysis using the Excess Heat Factor (EHF) as a universal heatwave index.

Blesson M Varghese, Alana Hansen, Monika Nitschke, John Nairn, Scott Hanson-Easey, Peng Bi, Dino Pisaniello

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in International archives of occupational and environmental health, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
16citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

16 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Observational
  3. Article
  4. Impacts of Climate Change on Work Health and Safety in Australia: A Scoping Literature Review.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023
    Article
  5. Article
  6. Effects of Temperatures and Heatwaves on Occupational Injuries in the Agricultural Sector in Italy.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2023
    Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Association between extreme heat and hospital admissions for cataract patients in Hefei, China.Environmental science and pollution research international · 2020
    Article
  11. Article
  12. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Blesson M VargheseSchool of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
Alana HansenSchool of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
Monika NitschkePublic Health Services, Department for Health and Ageing, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
John NairnAustralian Bureau of Meteorology, Adelaide, SA, Australia.
Scott Hanson-EaseySchool of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
Peng BiSchool of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia.
Dino PisanielloSchool of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia. dino.pisaniello@adelaide.edu.au.

Funding

Australian Research Council DP160103059
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeHeatwaves, or extended periods of extreme heat, are predicted to increase in frequency, intensity and duration with climate change, but their impact on occupational injury has not been extensively studied. We examined the relationship between heatwaves of varying severity and work-related injuries and illnesses. We used a newly proposed metric of heatwave severity, the Excess Heat Factor (EHF), which accounts for local climate characteristics and acclimatization and compared it with heatwaves defined by daily maximum temperature.

methodsWork-related injuries and illnesses were identified from two administrative data sources: workers' compensation claims and work-related ambulance call-outs for the years 2003-2013 in Adelaide, Australia. The EHF metrics were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. A time-stratified case-crossover regression model was used to examine associations between heatwaves of three levels of severity, workers' compensation claims, and work-related ambulance call-outs.

resultsThere was an increase in work-related ambulance call-outs and compensation claims during low and moderately severe heatwaves as defined using the EHF, and a non-significant decline during high-severity heatwaves. Positive associations were observed during moderate heatwaves in compensation claims made by new workers (RR 1.31, 95% CI 1.10-1.55), workers in medium-sized enterprises (RR 1.15, 95% CI 1.01-1.30), indoor industries (RR 1.09, 95% CI 1.01-1.17), males (RR 1.13, 95% CI 1.03-1.23) and laborers (RR 1.21, 95% CI 1.04-1.39).

conclusionsWorkers should adopt appropriate precautions during moderately severe heatwaves, when the risks of work-related injuries and illnesses are increased. Workplace policies and guidelines need to consider the health and safety of workers during heatwaves with relevant prevention and adaptation measures.

Indexed as

AdolescentAdultAmbulancesAustraliaCross-Over StudiesExtreme HeatFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedOccupational DiseasesOccupational ExposureOccupational InjuriesWorkers' CompensationCase-crossover designHeatwavesOccupational healthWorker safetyWorkers’ compensation claims

Identifiers

PMID30406332

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.