New paper: Heat-related illness among workers in BC

August 2024: BC experienced an unprecedented summer with record-breaking high temperatures in 2021. This study characterized occupational heat-related illness (HRI) among BC workers by estimating incidence rates and associations between heatwaves and HRI, with a focus on comparing risks during the 2021 summer and prior summers from 2001-2020.

Key findings:

Significant associations between heatwaves and occupational HRI were observed, and heatwaves had a greater impact on HRI risk among middle-aged workers and workers in trades, transport, and equipment operation.
The heatwaves-HRI association was greater during the summer of 2021 than in prior summers, and was stronger among younger workers and female workers than in prior summers.
Higher HRI incidence rates were observed among workers who were younger, male, and working in primary industry; trades, transport, and equipment operation; and processing, manufacturing, and utilities.

Understanding these differential impacts on worker groups by demographics and occupations is crucial for informing prevention strategies targeting at-risk workers in BC’s warming climate. Read more in the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health.

Learn more about our work evaluating health and safety programs: Heath-Related Illness

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Cascadia Symposium on Environmental, Occupational, and Population Health

October 2024: The Annual Cascadia Symposium on Environmental, Occupational, and Population Health will be held January 9-10, 2025 at the Semiahmoo Resort in Blaine, WA. Registration and the call for abstracts are open.

New paper: The impact of regulatory workplace safety inspections on workers’ compensation claim rates

July 2024: This study examined whether regulatory workplace safety inspections in Alberta resulted in reductions in workers’ compensation claims rates for inspected firms relative to comparable non-inspected firms. Findings indicate that inspections generally do not result in greater reductions in firm-level claim rates in the construction, manufacturing, and transportation sectors. Read more in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.

We are hiring! Seeking a Research Associate

July 2024: PWHS is seeking a Research Associate to lead a program of research on the evaluation of policies and programs designed to prevent work-related injury and illness and improve related disability and return-to-work outcomes. The Research Associate will have a sound understanding of the linkages between public policy and work-related health and safety outcomes, and will use observational research study designs to evaluate policies and programs; conduct statistical analyses; author manuscripts, reports and briefs; present findings; and engage with decision-makers. Apply by August 9!