Occupational heat stress and economic burden: A review of global evidence

Borg, Matthew; Xiang, Jianjun; Anikeeva, Olga; Pisaniello, Dino; Hansen, Alana; Zander, Kerstin K.; Dear, Keith; Sim, Malcolm Ross; Bi, Peng

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2021.110781

Cited by 56 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…Second, only certain health impacts were explored here, not all possible adverse outcomes. A growing literature links heat with a wide range of adverse health outcomes (cardiorespiratory effects [ 42 ], mental health [ 43 ], pregnancy outcome [ 44 ], occupational health, and productivity loss [ 45 , 46 ]). In particular, the loss of productivity and of working time directly affects the private sector: Vanos et al [ 47 ] show for Canadian outdoor industrial workers that the loss may be about 1% of the annual number of hours worked, Orlov et al [ 48 ] estimate the hourly mean costs for agricultural and construction workers in 10 European countries at about $4.4 in July 2015, and Zhang et al [ 49 ] estimate US labor losses due to temperature differences between 2006–2016 and 1980–1990 at about $1.7 billion per year.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health effects from heat waves in France: an economic evaluation

2021

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Background Scarcity of data on the health impacts and associated economic costs of heat waves may limit the will to invest in adaptation measures. We assessed the economic impact associated with mortality, morbidity, and loss of well-being during heat waves in France between 2015 and 2019. Methods Health indicators monitored by the French national heat wave plan were used to estimate excess visits to emergency rooms and outpatient clinics and hospitalizations for heat-related causes. Total excess mortality and years of life loss were considered, as well as the size of the population that experienced restricted activity. A cost-of-illness and willingness-to-pay approach was used to account for associated costs. Results Between 2015 and 2019, the economic impact of selected health effects of heat waves amounts to €25.5 billion, mainly in mortality (€23.2 billion), minor restricted activity days (€2.3 billion), and morbidity (€0.031 billion). ConclusionThe results highlight a significant economic burden on the French health system and the population. A better understanding of the economic impacts of climate change on health is required to alert decision-makers to the urgency of mitigation and to support concrete adaptation actions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Health effects from heat waves in France: an economic evaluation

2021

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“…14,15 The combined effects of metabolic rate, clothing, and workplace conditions have been shown to induce hyperthermia (i.e., increased core temperature), 13 accelerate dehydration, [16][17][18][19] and alter perceptual and subjective responses to heat. 17,[20][21][22][23] Together, these factors transform physical working conditions 3,6 and introduce potential hazards to the work setting (e.g., grip problems from sweat, sweat in eyes, distraction, and timeoff-task) (Figure 1). All factors presented in Figure 1 describe heatrelated presenteeism, which can be defined as losses in productivity when workers are not fully functioning in the workplace (i.e., reductions in physical capacity) due to heat stress.…”

Section: Heat-related Presenteeismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cognitive decrements not only impair worker production output (i.e., physical work capacity) but can increase risk of injury at the worksite. 6 For example, a case-crossover study in outdoor construction workers reported a 0.5% increase in the odds of traumatic injuries per 1°C increase in maximum daily humidex (odds ratio 1.005 [95% CI 1.003-1.007]). 35 Changes in the work environment induced by heat exposure can also influence the occurrence of workplace injuries.…”

Section: Heat-related Presenteeismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Productivity losses also can result from costs associated with sick leave (i.e., paying other employees to work overtime or replacing staff), healthcare costs, and injury compensation claims. 6…”

Section: Heat-related Presenteeismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3,18,[35][36][37][38][39][40] When these injuries and illnesses F I G U R E 1 Etiology of reduced physical work capacity due to occupational heat stress occur, employers are subject to worker compensation claims insurance pay outs, medical fees, subsidies, and additional expenses to hire and train new replacement staff. 6,41 Lawsuits associated with heat-related fatalities and injuries also contribute to the heavy economic burden of heat. 41 Employers can also suffer indirect costs from out-of-pocket payments and lost incomes, resulting in reduced consumer spending.…”

Section: Heat-related Absenteeismmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Impact of occupational heat stress on worker productivity and economic cost

Morrissey

Brewer

Williams

et al. 2021

American J Industrial Med

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Heat stress is a growing concern in the occupational setting as it endangers worker health, safety, and productivity. Heat-related reductions in physical work capacity and missed workdays directly and indirectly cause productivity losses and may substantially affect the economic wellbeing of the organization. This review highlights the physiological, physical, psychological, and financial harms of heat stress on worker productivity and proposes strategies to quantify heat-related productivity losses. Heat stress produces a vicious-cycle feedback loop that result in adverse outcomes on worker health, safety, and productivity. We propose a theoretical model for implementing an occupational heat safety plan that disrupts this loop, preventing heat-related productivity losses while improving worker health and safety.

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The impact of cold waves and heat waves on mortality: Evidence from a lower middle‐income country

2023

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We estimate the impact of temperature extremes on mortality in Vietnam, using daily data on temperatures and monthly data on mortality during the 2000–2018 period. We find that both cold and heat waves cause higher mortality, particularly among older people and those living in the hot regions in Southern Vietnam. This effect on mortality tends to be smaller in provinces with higher rates of air‐conditioning and emigration, and provinces with higher public spending on health. Finally, we estimate economic cost of cold and heat waves using a framework of willingness to pay to avoid deaths, then project the cost to the year 2100 under different Representative Concentration Pathway scenarios.

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Occupational heat stress and economic burden: A review of global evidence

Cited by 56 publications

References 79 publications

Health effects from heat waves in France: an economic evaluation

Health effects from heat waves in France: an economic evaluation

Impact of occupational heat stress on worker productivity and economic cost

The impact of cold waves and heat waves on mortality: Evidence from a lower middle‐income country

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