Student presentation - Blesson Varghese

1. Blesson Mathew Varghese
HEAT AND WORK
INJURY

2. My PhD Journey…
University of Adelaide 2
PART 1 PART 2

3. External heat
(Weather-related or man
made)
Heat Stress
Internal heat (Metabolic
heat production)
Worker
e.g. medications,
hydration, experience
acclimatization
Work
e.g. task, physical
work rate, time of day
clothing and PPE
Work environment
e.g. temperature,
humidity, supervision,
water availability,
confined space
Psycho-
behavioural
response
Physiological
response
Heat-related illness
e.g. Heat exhaustion
Heat stroke
Diminished capacity and increased susceptibility
e.g. Discomfort, altered
behaviour, reduced use of PPE
OTHER HAZARDS
e.g. Mechanical hazards
height, Illumination and
glare, electrical, chemical
e.g. Reduced concentration,
productivity, pyscho-motor
performance, sweating
Potential interaction
e.g. loss of grip on ladder
due to sweating hands
Impaired thermoregulation
strain
Physical Injury
e.g. falls,
lacerations
How could heat exposure result in injuries?
3
Varghese BM et al. Are workers at risk of occupational injuries due to heat
exposure? A comprehensive literature review. Safety Science, 2018: 110; 380-392

4. University of Adelaide 4
Varghese BM et al. Are workers at risk of occupational injuries due to heat
exposure? A comprehensive literature review. Safety Science, 2018: 110; 380-392
Factors leading to Heat Stress

5. University of Adelaide 5
Varghese BM et al. Are workers at risk of occupational injuries due to heat
exposure? A comprehensive literature review. Safety Science, 2018: 110; 380-392
Factors leading to Heat Strain

6. University of Adelaide 6
Varghese B, et al. Are workers at risk of occupational injuries due to heat exposure? A comprehensive literature review. Safety Science,
2018: 110; 380-392
Factors leading to Illness and Injury

7. University of Adelaide 7

8. Associations of temperature &
heatwaves with work-related injuries
Part 1

9. What we did
• Study site: Adelaide metropolitan area
• Data sources:
– Workers’ compensation claims data (2003-2013)
– Bureau of Meteorology weather data
• Study design: Case-crossover
9
Heat exposure…
… compared to usual
temperatures
Was the temperature unusually
high at the time of the event ?

10. What we found
10
Claims for injuries and illnesses
increase in hot temperatures
Compared to 25oC the risk
increases by:
8% at 33oC
30% at 40oC

11. Who is more likely to incur an injury in hot
weather?
• Young workers
• People doing medium and heavy physical demanding work
• Highest increase in:
– ‘Electricity, gas, and water industry’
– ‘Transport and storage’
University of Adelaide 11

12. Types of injuries
University of Adelaide 12
Objects involved in injuries
66%11%
Non-powered hand tools Powered tools &
appliances
me cold Moderate cold Moderate heat Extreme heat
38%
Wounds,
acerations,
ns & internal organ
21%
Wounds,
lacerations,
amputations & internal organ
damage
32%
Burns
130%
Burns
12%
Traumatic
joint/ligament &
muscle/tendon injury
21%
Fractures
30%
Wounds, lacerations,
amputations
& internal organ damage
me cold Moderate cold Moderate heat Extreme heat
38%
Wounds,
lacerations,
ns & internal organ
21%
Wounds,
lacerations,
amputations & internal organ
damage
32%
Burns
130%
Burns
12%
Traumatic
joint/ligament &
muscle/tendon injury
21%
Fractures
30%
Wounds, lacerations,
amputations
& internal organ damage
Nature of injury
% increase risk in injury

13. How many injuries are due to heat in Adelaide?
13
So what about heatwaves ?
Varghese B, et al. The effects of ambient temperatures on the risk of work-related injuries and illnesses: Evidence from Adelaide, Australia
2003-2013. Environmental Research. 2019; 170:101-9.
• We estimated that 2.5% of injuries attributable to heat
– 4760 injuries overall (an average of 476 injuries per year)
– Most due to moderately hot temperatures
• Results suggest substantial underestimation
– Only 300 injuries (0.1%) directly recorded as heat-related

14. During heatwaves…
• Used definition of a heatwave developed by the Bureau of
Meteorology- Excess Heat Factor
– EHF is a measure of heatwave severity relative to a location
• Study sites: Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth
• Results: During heatwaves:
– Injuries increased in all four cities
– At risk: young workers; new workers; outdoor and some indoor sectors
University of Adelaide 14
45%
30%
Brisbane
26%
Perth
25%
Melbourne
Adelaide

15. Stakeholder perspectives -
survey responses
Part 2

16. What did we do
University of Adelaide 16
• Study Participants
– Health and Safety Professionals (HSPs)
– Health and Safety Representatives (HSRs)
• Study design
– Cross-sectional questionnaire survey (31/03/2017 - 4/04/2018)
✓ Demographics
✓ Heat-related injuries/incidents
✓ Preventive measures
✓ Training
✓ Policies and Guidelines
✓ Barriers
✓ Productivity & solutions

17. University of Adelaide 17

18. Safety issues &
concerns
Physical hazards
Safety Training
Safety Professionals
Management
Advice & support
Monitor hazards
Physical Injury
Claim
Safety Representatives
Workers compensation claims data
Heat exposure
Heat-induced illness
Surveys
phinally PhinsheD!
PART 1 PART 2

19. Key messages
• Occupational injuries increase during hot conditions
• Heat-work injury mechanisms are complex
University of Adelaide 19
• Power tools
• Requiring PPE
• Particularly electricity, gas, water
Work
• Young, new workers
• Dehydration and fatigue contributing factors
• Lack of awareness
Worker
• Some indoor & outdoor
• Inadequate training (<50% workplaces)
• Effective heat safety leadership lacking
Workplace

20. The University of Adelaide Slide 20
UNDERSTANDING AND PREVENTING INJURIES IN HOT
WORKING CONDITIONS
Questions?