Development of a Prototype Observatory of Heat-Related Occupational Illnesses and Injuries through the Collection of Information from the Italian Press, as Part of the WORKLIMATE Project

Giulia Ionita (), Michela Bonafede, Filippo Ariani, Alessandro Marinaccio, Marco Morabito () and Miriam Levi ()
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Giulia Ionita: Medical Specialization School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy
Michela Bonafede: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene Department, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), 00143 Rome, Italy
Filippo Ariani: CeRIMP (Regional Centre for Occupational Injuries and Disease of Tuscany), Local Health Authority Tuscany Centre, 50135 Florence, Italy
Alessandro Marinaccio: Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Epidemiology and Hygiene Department, Italian Workers’ Compensation Authority (INAIL), 00143 Rome, Italy
Marco Morabito: Institute of Bioeconomy, National Research Council (IBE-CNR), 50019 Florence, Italy
Miriam Levi: Epidemiology Unit, Department of Prevention, Local Health Authority Tuscany Centre, 50135 Florence, Italy

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-17

Abstract: Exposure to heat is a recognized occupational risk factor. Deaths and accidents at work caused by high temperatures are underestimated. With the aim of detecting and monitoring heat-related illnesses and injuries, a prototype database of occupational events attributable to critical thermal conditions reported in Italian newspapers was created. Information was analyzed from national and local online newspapers using a web application. The analysis was conducted from May to September during the three-year period 2020–2022. Articles concerning 35 occupational heat-related illnesses and injuries were selected; 57.1% of the events were reported in 2022, and 31.4% of total accidents occurred in the month of July 2022, when the Universal Thermal Climate Index daily mean values corresponded to “moderate heat stress” (51.0%) and “strong heat stress” (49.0%). Fatal heat-related illnesses were the most frequent conditions described. In most cases, workers had been involved in outdoor activities in the construction sector. A comprehensive report was created by compiling all relevant newspaper articles to enhance awareness of this issue among relevant stakeholders and promote heat-risk prevention strategies in the current context where heatwaves are becoming increasingly frequent, intense and long-lasting.

Keywords: heat-related illness; heat stress; news; occupational injuries; press; workers’ health; workplace (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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