Air temperature exposure and agricultural occupational injuries in the Autonomous Province of Trento (2000–2013, North-Eastern Italy)

Abstract

Daily temperatures were then assessed in 3 time lags: for the day of the event (lag 0), and for the previous 24 h (lag 1) and 48 h (lag 2). Daily temperatures were then categorized in 3 exposure groups (< 75th, 75-95th and > 95th percentiles). The risk of OIs was assessed as odds ratio (OR) calculated through a Poisson regression model controlled for age, sex, ethnicity and time period, and assuming OI rates for days on which temperature was comprised in < 75th percentile exposure groups as the referent ones. Results: Estimated incidence of OIs during the study period was 3.4±2.3 events/day. The peak of work-related accidents occurred on days characterized by severe thermal conditions, and in particular during heat waves (incidence rate ratio = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.17, p = 0.0165). Days having temperatures higher than 95th percentile, assessed as daily average, both on current days (OR = 1.119, 95% CI: 1.008-1.242) and in lag 1 (OR = 1.125, 95% CI: 1.013-1.249), as well as daily maximum temperatures, were at the highest risk of work-related injuries (OR = 1.144, 95% CI: 1.029-1.272). Conclusions: In conclusion, presented findings recommend policymakers to develop appropriate warning/alert systems for agricultural workers regarding high environmental temperatures. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(3):317 -331

Air temperatures and occupational injuries in the construction industries: a report from Northern Italy (2000–2013)

“…Available evidence suggests that heat-related health effects include a significantly increased risk of occupational injuries 1, 29,30,[43][44] . As high temperatures can affect cognition, hamper concentration, reduce vigilance and increase fatigue, working during warm weather would ultimately increase the risk of mistakes, accidents and injuries 18,35,36,[44][45][46] , especially in subjects who otherwise would spend little time outdoor, such as part-time or seasonal workers 29) .…”

“…As high temperatures can affect cognition, hamper concentration, reduce vigilance and increase fatigue, working during warm weather would ultimately increase the risk of mistakes, accidents and injuries 18,35,36,[44][45][46] , especially in subjects who otherwise would spend little time outdoor, such as part-time or seasonal workers 29) . Moreover, higher temperatures may force the workers to reduce the use of personal protective equipment, ultimately increasing the risk for incidents associated with the exposure to dusts and chemicals 1, 3,18,[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36]43) .…”

“…3 or more days) and intensity (either as Tmax or average daily temperatures) [52][53] . In order to more easily compare our estimated with previous studies on HWs, an HW event was defined by 3 or more consecutive days having Tmax ≥ 35°C 30,35,36,43) . Eventually, in order to assess the effect of average daily temperature, Tday were arbitrarily categorized into the following <5th, 5-24th, 25-74th, 75-94th and ≥ 95th percentiles.…”

Association between air temperatures and occupational injuries: a case-crossover analysis using workers’ compensation claims data in the construction industries in Northern Italy

“…Increased environmental temperatures may affect health and safety of CWs also as an increased risk for occupational injuries (OIs) (1, 29,30,41,42). As high temperatures can affect cognition, hamper concentration, reduce vigilance and increase fatigue, working during extreme warm weather would ultimately increase the risk of mistakes, accidents and injuries (18,35,36,(42)(43)(44), especially in subjects who otherwise would spend little time outdoor, such as part-time or seasonal workers (29).…”

“…As high temperatures can affect cognition, hamper concentration, reduce vigilance and increase fatigue, working during extreme warm weather would ultimately increase the risk of mistakes, accidents and injuries (18,35,36,(42)(43)(44), especially in subjects who otherwise would spend little time outdoor, such as part-time or seasonal workers (29). Moreover, higher temperatures may force the workers to reduce the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), ultimately increasing the risk for OIs associated with the exposure to dusts and chemicals (1, 3,18,[29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36]41).…”