TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2023//
TI  - 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
JO  - International journal of environmental research and public health
A1  - Ionita, Giulia
A1  - Bonafede, Michela
A1  - Ariani, Filippo
A1  - Marinaccio, Alessandro
A1  - Morabito, Marco
A1  - Levi, Miriam
SP  - e4530
EP  - e4530
VL  - 20
IS  - 5
N2  - 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.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1661-7827
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054530
ID  - ref1
ER  -