PT Journal AU McInnes, JA Akram, M MacFarlane, EM Keegel, T Sim, MR Smith, P TI Association between high ambient temperature and acute work-related injury: a case-crossover analysis using workers’ compensation claims data SO Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health PD 1VL PY 2017 BP 86 EP 94 IS 1 DI 10.5271/sjweh.3602 WP https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=3602 DE ambient temperature; analysis; case crossover study; case-crossover study; climate change; compensation claim; occupational health; temperature; work injury; work-related injury; workers’ compensation claims data SN 0355-3140 AB '

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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