LAUSR

This study provides evidence that heat-related illness severe enough to result in lost time at work occurs disproportionately among certain demographic groups and occupations in British Columbia. The identification of differences in heat-related illness risk in occupational settings may inform the development or refinement of prevention strategies. Objective The aim of this study was to describe the incidence of heat-related illness among workers in British Columbia (BC), Canada, 2001–2020. Methods Cases of heat-related illness occurring among workers aged 15 years and older were identified from accepted lost-time claims from WorkSafeBC, the provincial workers’ compensation board. Incidence rates were calculated using monthly estimates of the working population from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey as the denominator. Results Between 2000 and 2020, there were 528 heat-related illness claims, corresponding to a rate of 1.21 (95% confidence interval, 1.10–1.31) claims per 100,000 workers. Eighty-four percent of claims occurred between June and August. Rates were higher among male workers, younger workers, and among those working in occupations related to primary industry; trades, transport, and equipment operators; and processing, manufacturing, and utilities. Conclusions In BC, lost-time claims for heat-related illness occurred disproportionately among certain subgroups of the workforce.