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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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