Using a Qualitative Phenomenological Approach to Inform the Etiology and Prevention of Occupational Heat-Related Injuries in Australia

Alana L Hansen, Susan Williams, Scott Hanson-Easey, Blesson M Varghese, Peng Bi, Jane Heyworth, Monika Nitschke, Shelley Rowett, Malcolm R Sim and Dino L Pisaniello
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Alana L Hansen: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
Susan Williams: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
Scott Hanson-Easey: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
Blesson M Varghese: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
Peng Bi: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
Jane Heyworth: School of Population and Public Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
Monika Nitschke: Department for Health and Wellbeing, Government of South Australia, 11 Hindmarsh Square, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
Shelley Rowett: SafeWork SA, Government of South Australia, 33 Richmond Road, Keswick, SA 5035, Australia
Malcolm R Sim: Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3009, Australia
Dino L Pisaniello: School of Public Health, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: Epidemiological evidence has shown an association between exposure to high temperatures and occupational injuries, an issue gaining importance with environmental change. The aim of this study was to better understand contributing risk factors and preventive actions based on personal experiences. Interviews were conducted with 21 workers from five Australian states using a critical phenomenological approach to capture the lived experiences of participants, whilst exploring contextual factors that surround these experiences. Two case studies are presented: a cerebrovascular injury and injuries among seasonal horticulture workers. Other accounts of heat-related injuries and heat stress are also presented. Risk factors were classified as individual, interpersonal and organizational. In terms of prevention, participants recommended greater awareness of heat risks and peer-support for co-workers. Adding value to current evidence, we have provided new insights into the etiology of the health consequences of workplace heat exposure with workers identifying a range of influencing factors, prevention measures and adaptation strategies. Underpinning the importance of these are future climate change scenarios, suggesting that extended hot seasons will lead to increasing numbers of workers at risk of heat-stress and associated occupational injuries.

Keywords: occupational; injury; heat exposure; Australia; qualitative (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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