Exposure to heat and cold is costing Australian workers and employers an estimated $94 million each year, with the burden of heat-related occupational injuries and illnesses (OIIs) projected to rise by more than 25 per cent by 2050, according to new research from Charles Darwin University, the University of Adelaide, and Monash University.
The study, published in Urban Climate, analysed over 2.3 million workplace injury claims from 2005 to 2018 across all Australian capital cities except Canberra, correlating them with daily maximum wet bulb globe temperatures (WBGT) — a key measure of heat stress.
Researchers found that 1.66 per cent of all OIIs could be attributed to heat, amounting to nearly 39,000 preventable cases over the 13-year period.
Causes included unsuitable clothing, physically demanding tasks in extreme temperatures, and limited access to cooling measures such as air-conditioning.
While cold exposure prevented 0.66 per cent of OIIs, the study noted that injuries related to cold were often more severe or longer in duration, resulting in higher costs despite their lower frequency.
Lead author Dr Matthew Borg from the University of Adelaide’s Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences described extreme temperatures as one of the most significant health threats posed by climate change.
“Under a high-emissions scenario, heat-related OIIs are projected to increase from 1.66 per cent to 2.10 per cent by 2050, posing major risks to worker safety and productivity,” Dr Borg said.
He added: “Understanding how temperature affects costs can help workplaces and public health agencies create cost-effective plans to prevent and manage temperature-related OIIs.”
The research highlights the need for employers to implement heat safety measures, such as adjusting work-to-rest ratios, providing water and shade, monitoring hydration, and ensuring appropriate clothing and acclimatisation plans.
Urban planning strategies, including designing buildings that moderate temperature extremes and increasing green spaces, were also recommended.
Co-author Professor Kerstin Zander from CDU’s Northern Institute stressed the importance of further research to accurately quantify the true extent and economic burden of temperature-related OIIs, noting that less severe injuries are often underreported, potentially underestimating the total cost.
The findings underscore the growing challenge climate change poses to workplace safety and productivity across Australia.
