Anomalous temperatures increase occupational injuries, illnesses and associated cost burden in Australia

Anomalous ambient temperatures elevate the risk of occupational injuries and illnesses (OIIs). However, the associated economic burden is underexplored internationally. This study establishes an Australian profile of heat- and cold-attributable OIIs and their costs. OIIs and costs from seven Australian capital cities in July 2005 to June 2018 were modelled against daily maximum wet bulb globe temperature. 2,321,602 OIIs comprising AU$43 billion in total payouts were included for analysis. 1.66 % (95 % empirical confidence interval [eCI]: 1.38–1.94 %) and 0.66 % (95 % eCI: 0.45–0.89 %) of OIIs were heat-attributable and cold-attributable, respectively, representing 38,540 heat-attributable and 15,409 cold-preventable OIIs. 1.53 % (95 % eCI: 0.77–2.27 %) and 1.33 % (95 % eCI: 0.66–1.97 %) of costs were heat- and cold-attributable, respectively, collectively representing AU$94 million annually and increased costs per OII with colder temperatures. In 2050 (2036–2065) under Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5, 2.10 % (95 % eCI: 1.50–2.70) and 0.21 % (95 % eCI: −0.11 to 0.54 %) of OIIs were heat-attributable and cold-preventable, respectively, and 0.05 % (95 % eCI: −1.84 to 1.83) and 0.76 % (95 % eCI: 0.08–1.43) of costs were heat- and cold-attributable, respectively. Anomalous temperatures pose a substantial occupational morbidity and cost burden. OIIs and their costs do not necessarily share the same temperature-attributable relationship, especially during colder temperatures. Both heat and cold adaptation are important to reduce OII-associated costs.