Hot Weather and Worker Health in a Changing Climate

Abstract

Work-related injuries exact a heavy toll. Studies have suggested that hot weather increases work-related injury risk. This is important because the climate is warming, and hot days, warm nights and heatwaves are expected to become more frequent and severe. This thesis investigated the relationship between hot weather and work-related injury for workers in Melbourne. The impact of daytime and overnight temperatures, as well as consecutive hot days and nights, were assessed. It found young workers, male workers and workers engaged in heavy work to be at increased risk of injury on hot days, while warm nights influenced risk of injury for female and older workers. Exposure to consecutive hot days also increased injury risk, with this effect becoming apparent at relatively moderate temperatures.