Giulia Montresor (University of Verona)
Cristina Bellés-Obrero and Catia Nicodemo
This study estimates the effect of temperature on work-related injuries in Spain, combining administrative records with historical weather data. We find that both cold and heat affect the likelihood of work accidents, though to different degrees. An ice day (< 0> number of work injuries by 14%, while a hot day (between 35-40 ?C) by 4.7% as compared to the baseline (15-20 ?C). Effects are heterogeneous across the labour market. Female and older workers are more vulnerable to cold, while men are more affected by heat. Blue-collar and temporary workers exhibit greater sensitivity to high temperatures. Ice days are associated with spikes in commuting accidents and non-deadly injuries. By contrast, extreme heat increases the likelihood of accidents at work, especially outdoors, and the likelihood of fatal accidents, with days above 40?C linked to a 70% rise in deadly workplace accidents. These findings highlight the occupational risks posed by climate change and support the need for targeted policy interventions to enhance worker safety under extreme weather conditions.