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Deaths in Australia from Work-Related Heat Stress, 2000-2015
1Adelaide Exposure Science and Health, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide 5005, Australia. richard.gun@adelaide.edu.au.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
|September 29, 2019
Summary
Work-related heat stress deaths are rare, possibly due to self-pacing. However, new workers are at higher risk, especially with underlying health issues or poor indoor ventilation.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Environmental Medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- Work-related heat stress is an occupational hazard.
- Self-pacing by workers may mitigate heat stress, but its effectiveness is not fully understood.
- Understanding contributing factors to heat stress fatalities is crucial for prevention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate environmental and personal risk factors in fatal work-related heat stress cases.
- To assess the role of self-pacing and acclimatization in heat stress mortality.
- To identify specific risk parameters and vulnerable worker groups.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 13 coronial cases attributed to work-related heat stress.
- Examination of meteorological and coronial records to estimate heat loads.
- Identification of environmental (e.g., air velocity) and personal (e.g., health status) risk factors.
Main Results:
- Seven of the 13 deaths occurred in workers within one week of hiring, highlighting acclimatization issues.
- Personal risk factors included intercurrent illness, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.
- Indoor work deaths were associated with low air velocity; cerebral and pulmonary edema were noted in autopsies.
Conclusions:
- Modified work rates and close supervision are critical for newly hired workers.
- Compromised self-pacing in inexperienced workers increases heat stress risk.
- The occurrence of cerebral edema suggests a need for specific interventions in hyperthermic individuals.
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