What heat safety measures can employers implement?
Exposure to heat and cold is costing employers and employees in Australia an estimated $94 million annually, according to new research.
The study, published in Urban Climate, released the findings after analysing more than 2.3 million workplace injury claims in all capital cities except Canberra between 2005 and 2018.
These claims were linked with the daily maximum wet bulb globe temperature, which is a measure of heat stress in direct sunlight, according to the researchers from Charles Darwin University, the University of Adelaide, and Monash University.
It found that costs attributable to heat and cold were $88.1 and $76.3 per worker, respectively.
"These represent AU$50 million and AU$44 million annually, respectively," the study said.
According to the research, 1.66% of all occupational injuries and illnesses can be attributed to heat, representing a total of 38,540 preventable cases of injury and illness.
It noted that 0.66% of occupational injuries and illnesses were prevented by cold, but this was small compared to the increased costs from cold.
The report said even if cold decreases the risk of occupational injuries and illnesses, the cases more likely to occur during cold may be more severe or longer-lasting, incurring increased healthcare, compensation and associated legal and administrative fees.
Matthew Borg, University of Adelaide (Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences) Postdoctoral Researcher, warned that heat-related injuries and illnesses could rise to more than 25% by 2050.
"Under a high-emissions scenario, heat-related [occupational injuries and illnesses] are projected to increase from 1.66% to 2.10% by 2050, posing major risks to worker safety and productivity," said Borg, who is also the report's lead author, in a statement.
His warnings come as data from the International Organization last year revealed that employees' exposure to excessive heat had gone up in the past two decades.
In the Asia-Pacific, 74.7% of workers were exposed to excessive heat in 2020, 6.7% higher than in 2000, and above the 71.0% global average.
The region also logged the highest occupational injuries attributable to excessive heat with 10.5 million cases, where 5.8% were fatal.
Borg said understanding how temperature affects costs can help workplaces create cost-effective plans to prevent and manage temperature-related occupational injuries and illnesses.
"Employers can protect workers by using heat safety measures such as setting work-to-rest ratios based on temperature and job demands, providing plenty of water and access to shade or air-conditioning, monitoring hydration, ensuring proper clothing, creating heat acclimatisation plans for new workers, and reducing heat generated in the workplace," he said.
He added that urban planning strategies can also reduce heat, such as designing buildings that don't retain too much heat or cold, adding more green spaces, creating walkable and bike-friendly areas, as well as encouraging the use of electric cars.
