Exploring the effectiveness of a heat-related occupational prevention policy: A case study from Italy

In summer 2024, fifteen Italian regions issued urgent ordinances banning outdoor work from 12:30 to 4:00 p.m. on "HIGH" heat risk days forecasted by the academic Worklimate platform.

This study explores the policy's effectiveness in reducing workplace injuries.

ERA5-Land hourly data were used to assess regional summer temperature variations in Italy. Injury data from the National Insurance Institute focused on construction and agriculture, while workforce statistics enabled injury rate comparisons between regions with and without ordinances. Results were stratified by sector and Worklimate heat risk levels.

Regions with ordinances saw a statistically significant 21.9% reduction (95% CI: -18.5--24.7) in construction injury rates, and over 40% on "HIGH" risk days. Agriculture-related injuries decreased by 24.7% (95% CI: -10.3--32.2), though not statistically significant.

This study provides the first European evidence that temporary work bans during periods of extreme heat can effectively reduce occupational injuries. By comparing Italian regions that implemented urgent ordinances prohibiting outdoor work on "HIGH" heat-risk days with those that did not, the analysis demonstrates that restricting outdoor activity during peak heat hours led to a significant reduction in construction-related injuries and a marked decline in agricultural accidents. These findings underscore the effectiveness of heat-prevention policies in safeguarding outdoor workers amid rising temperatures, offering a robust, evidence-based framework for future public health and occupational safety strategies.