Correlates of Occupational Heat-Induced Illness Costs: Case Study of South Australia 2000 to 2014. Issue 9 (September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xiang, Jianjun; Hansen, Alana; Pisaniello, Dino; Dear, Keith; Bi, Peng
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational and environmental medicine. Volume 60:Issue 9(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-09
• Subjects: climate -- cost burden -- heat stress -- occupational heat illness -- South Australia; Medicine, Industrial -- Periodicals; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Occupational Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental Medicine -- Periodicals; Environmental health; Medicine, Industrial; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616.9803
• DOI: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000001395
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1076-2752

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To investigate the profile of occupational heat-induced illness costs in South Australia and to examine the association with high temperature. Methods: Workers' compensation claim data were used to quantify the associations between maximum temperature ( T max ) and occupational heat illness (OHI)-related costs, using time-series analysis after controlling for confounding factors. Results: Four hundred thirty-eight OHI claims in 2000 to 2014 resulted in total medical costs of AU$6, 002, 840 and 5, 036 work days lost. Relatively higher OHI burdens were found in men, those aged 25 to 44 years, new workers, medium-size businesses, and those employed in the mining industry. A 1 °C increase in T max above about 33 °C was associated with a 41.6% increase in medical costs and a 74.8% increase in days lost due to OHI, respectively. Conclusions: The cost profile of OHI may be used to justify interventions for particular industries, occupations, and worker categories. Abstract : Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text