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

Abstract

Background and Aims: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between high air temperatures and occupational injuries (OIs) occurred in construction workers (.e. 3 or more consecutive days with Tmax > 35°C). Daily average temperatures (Tday) were then categorized in 7 exposure groups (<5th, 5-9th, 10-24th, 25-74th, 75-89th, 90-94th and ≥ 95th percentiles). The risk of OIs was assessed as odds ratio (OR) calculated through a Poisson regression model. Results: Estimated incidence of OIs during the study period was 6.2 ± 3.1 events/day (2.8 injuries / 10,000 workers / day). The peak of OIs occurred during Heat-Wave time period (OR 1.200, 95%CI 1.104-1.304) on Summer days (OR 1.093, 95%CI 1.42-1.146) and in days characterized by Tday > 95th percentile (OR = 1.142,. Colder days were seemingly associated with a protective effect (OR 0.892, and OR 0.854, for Tday < 5th percentile). Younger age groups were associated with increased risk for higher exposures. Conclusions: Presented findings recommend policymakers to develop appropriate procedures and guidelines, in particular aimed to improve the compliance of younger CWs towards severe-hot daily temperatures.

Physiotherapy and ecosystem services: improving the health of our patients, the population, and the environment

“…Public health interventions provided by physiotherapists have largely occurred in sports and occupational settings; both of which may involve environmental exposures. For example, there is an emerging body of evidence which suggests that extreme heat may also contribute to an increasing risk of occupational injury (Adam-Poupart et al 2015, Ricco, Vezzosi, Odone and Signorelli 2018, Tawatsupa et al 2013. Similarly, in sport, climatic conditions may adversely affect the health of players; both directly (e.g.…”