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The current global climate scenario has led to an increase in the frequency and intensity of hazardous exposures, which, in turn, poses a significant risk to the health and safety of workers. This situation is further exacerbated by extreme weather events such as floods, wildfires, and industrial accidents, which have resulted in lost productivity, disruptions in business operations, and damage to infrastructure.
It is of utmost importance to ensure the maintenance of safe and healthy workplaces, given the profound global impact of this issue, affecting workers across various sectors and geographical regions. The timing of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, emphasizing the significance of this matter, could not be more opportune. Mr. Gilbert Gumbo, Director-General of the International Labor Organization, has underscored the extensive ramifications of the climate emergency on ecosystems and the millions of workers worldwide.
Currently, a staggering seventy percent of workers find themselves exposed to hazardous conditions, including extreme heat, chemical exposure, UV radiation, pollution, and diseases transmitted by vectors. This exposure jeopardizes their physical health and mental well-being, leading to an increase in illnesses such as kidney and heart diseases. Urgent measures are imperative to ensure the well-being and productivity of workers.
The imperative of transitioning to a just and sustainable economy becomes increasingly apparent, given that climate change directly threatens the world of work. The International Labour Organization has long acknowledged this reality, striving to advance social justice and decent work for all in the face of climate-related challenges.
Efforts to mitigate the risks associated with global warming are not only vital for environmental conservation but also for improving productivity. Addressing concerns regarding occupational safety and health alongside climate action has the potential to generate millions of jobs and pave the way for sustainable development.
The impact of climate change on workplaces is wide-ranging, affecting various sectors and workers globally. Prioritizing investments in safety measures to prevent occupational injuries, accidents, and diseases is essential. Upholding international standards, such as those outlined in ILO conventions, is crucial to ensure a safe and healthy working environment resilient to climate challenges.
We acknowledge the important contributions of Natasha Scott, also recognized as #Gracie, and Daphne Papandrea, who played a pivotal role as panelists in contributing significantly to the drafting of this report and overseeing data preparation. We are also grateful for the invaluable support from Balint, Andreas Huber, Lacey Groaning, and Wafa Zanin in producing this material.
The current report provides a comprehensive global overview of the challenges faced by the world, anticipating the release of a follow-up report that specifically focuses on stress shortly. The report highlights the significant impact of the hazards faced by workers globally, including over 2.41 billion workers who are exposed to excessive heat annually, leading to over 1,000 deaths and 22 million occupational injuries, as previously indicated by Joaquim.
This report delves into the methodology behind these figures and discusses non-fatal injuries while emphasizing the central theme of the convergence of various hazards facing workers. The intersection of hazards like solar UV radiation, excessive heat indoors and outdoors, and air pollution often amplifies risks for workers globally. Climate change exacerbates these challenges, increasing vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue, affecting regions previously unaffected. Furthermore, the rise in pesticide use further endangers workers, with over 870 million agricultural workers exposed to toxic pesticides, leading to over 300,000 deaths annually.
Extreme weather events, such as wildfires and hurricanes, are also increasing, posing additional risks to workers, especially those in frontline roles like firefighters. These hazards contribute to various health issues, including occupational cancer, respiratory diseases, and mental health issues associated with excessive heat exposure.
While acknowledging the global nature of the statistics mentioned, Halka underscores significant regional variations closely linked to local temperatures. As temperatures rise closer to the poles, approximately 3% of all injuries correlate, whereas near the equator, this percentage escalates to around 10 to the second percent. To provide context, injuries due to falls remain relatively consistent on average, or inversely, three times smaller for workers in temperate regions compared to those in hotter climates.
Recent data reveals a surprising trend in certain regions, such as northern Europe and South America, experiencing a doubling in the rate of injuries over the past two decades. This insight offers a clearer perspective, though more details are available in the report. Halka Gresik, who joins us from Ottawa, played a pivotal role in drafting this report while attending a meeting on the elimination of plastics.
Expressing gratitude for the work done and the opportunity to participate, Halka addresses the pressing issue of worker health and safety. She emphasizes that proactive measures can mitigate these risks without waiting for comprehensive solutions to global challenges. Halka acknowledges the complexity of the crisis, including overlapping hazards and the potential for unseen health impacts, such as neurological disorders and cancers.
Despite these challenges, positive developments globally are evident. Nations and workplaces are implementing various strategies to address hazards like excessive heat. Examples include setting maximum temperature limits for outdoor work, conducting risk assessments for natural disasters, and providing workers with the authority to remove themselves from dangerous conditions. Additionally, she emphasizes the importance of occupational disease lists in recognizing health outcomes related to climate hazards and underscores evidence-based strategies at the workplace level, such as acclimatization periods and access to water and rest.
Halka emphasizes the importance of prioritizing workers and workplaces in climate change initiatives and legislative frameworks. She suggests using existing guidelines and tools, such as those offered by the International Labor Organization (ILO), to guide these efforts. Halka advocates for collective action and the implementation of existing solutions to protect worker health and well-being.
During the discussion, various representatives from different sectors express their gratitude for their participation and their willingness to share their insights and experiences on the discussed topics. These representatives include Krista Mr. from the Federation of Enterprises Belgium, Rory O'Neill from the International Trade Union Federation, Christie Braham from Riego and Shika Basin, and Ruth Wilkinson from the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health.
Christa addresses the question of whether employers and businesses perceive climate change as a problem and what actions are being taken. She acknowledges that this is a significant concern for the business community. Active working groups at the national, European, and international levels, along with leading companies sharing best practices, are already addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
Christa emphasizes the inevitability of change when addressing climate issues from the enterprise perspective. However, it's crucial to distinguish between the macro-level societal impact and the micro-level impact on individual enterprises. Not all enterprises will experience the same effects to the same extent, so messaging and approaches must be tailored accordingly.
Christa stresses the importance of credibility in messaging and the need to focus on specific expectations and contributions from companies. While climate change introduces new challenges, many existing best practices can be applied, and some businesses view it as an opportunity, with new economic activities becoming feasible in previously inhospitable regions.
The primary challenge lies in the precision and effectiveness of measures and proposals, ensuring their alignment with the specific circumstances of individual enterprises. It is imperative to leverage established networks and disseminate best practices, with employers' organizations playing a pivotal role in this collaborative endeavor.
Tailoring our approach to the unique requirements of businesses and enterprises is essential for global outreach. Emphasis should be placed on practical solutions and the utilization of existing interventions and practices that effectively manage the discussed hazards. It is crucial to prioritize input from the workforce, returning to Chris shortly.
Rory from the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) acknowledges the escalating severity of familiar hazards such as heat, as indicated by mounting data. The rise in climate-related disasters, including wildfires, storms, and floods, is impacting various industries and compounding pre-existing occupational risks. Notably, climate-related hazards are exacerbating social disparities, leading to heightened vulnerability among marginalized groups. Rory underscores the urgent necessity for action, highlighting the achievability of effective risk assessment and preventive measures.
Workers in the informal economy face amplified climate-related risks due to their exclusion from occupational safety and health policies and the absence of social protections. Christie from Riego sheds light on the obstacles encountered by informal workers, including limited access to healthcare services and personal protective equipment. Gender-specific impacts are also discernible, with women facing increased risks such as violence and harassment. Endeavors to extend fundamental rights to informal workers encompass the integration of occupational health services into primary healthcare and advocacy for the formalization of informal labor.
Shika from the Cool Coalition delves into the dual role of cooling as both a solution and a vulnerability in climate adaptation. While sustainable cooling technologies are available, widespread accessibility hinges on regulatory frameworks and incentives from governments. Ensuring equitable access to sustainable cooling entails collaborative efforts among governments, private sectors, and other stakeholders to prioritize efficient and environmentally friendly technologies.
The establishment of minimum energy performance standards is a critical measure to regulate the supply of emission technology to buildings. These standards take into account the unique characteristics of heritage buildings and how they were designed to cope with extreme heat. It is crucial to adopt sustainable architectural practices and upgrade materials to meet increasing demand. Policy initiatives such as the Kigali Amendment are already targeting high global warming potential gases. To ensure access to thermal comfort, sustainable technologies must be made affordable through deployment schemes and public procurement. City planning should prioritize community-level access to shaded and green spaces to improve quality of life. During a recent conference, Ruth Wilkinson emphasized the importance of occupational safety and health (OSH) in achieving sustainable development goals. She stressed the need for a just transition to green and equitable economies and highlighted the role of OSH professionals in ensuring safe and healthy workplaces amidst climate change. Worker representatives Rory and Christy called for ratification of conventions that address asbestos and other hazards, as well as ensuring a just transition for workers, including those in the informal sector. Collective action and capacity building in OSH are critical to achieving these goals. In closing, emphasis was placed on taking actionable steps to address climate challenges and support workers' safety and well-being.
I. Introduction
-
Increase
in hazardous exposures due to global climate scenario
-
Importance
of safe and healthy workplaces
-
Significance
of World Day for Safety and Health at Work
-
Extensive
ramifications of climate emergency on workers worldwide
II. Workers' Exposure to Hazardous
Conditions
-
70%
of workers exposed to hazardous conditions
-
Jeopardizing
physical health and mental well-being
-
Increase
in illnesses such as kidney and heart diseases
-
Urgent
measures required for well-being and productivity of workers
III. Transitioning to a Just and
Sustainable Economy
-
Climate
change directly threatening world of work
-
Advancing
social justice and decent work for all in the face of climate-related
challenges
-
Addressing
concerns regarding occupational safety and health alongside climate action has
the potential to generate millions of jobs and pave the way for sustainable
development
IV. Impact of Climate Change on
Workplaces
-
Wide-ranging
impact on various sectors and workers globally
-
Prioritizing
investments in safety measures to prevent occupational injuries, accidents, and
diseases essential
-
Upholding
international standards, such as those outlined in ILO conventions, crucial to
ensure a safe and healthy working environment resilient to climate challenges
V. Acknowledgments
-
Recognizing
important contributions of Natasha Scott, Daphne Papandrea, Balint, Andreas
Huber, Lacey Groaning, and Wafa Zanin
VI. Comprehensive Global Overview of
Challenges Faced by the World
-
Anticipating
release of follow-up report that specifically focuses on stress shortly
-
Significant
impact of hazards faced by workers globally
-
Over
2.41 billion workers exposed to excessive heat annually, leading to over 1,000
deaths and 22 million occupational injuries
-
Delving
into the methodology behind these figures and discussing non-fatal injuries
-
Emphasizing
the central theme of the convergence of various hazards facing workers
VII. Intersection of Hazards Faced by
Workers
-
Solar
UV radiation, excessive heat indoors and outdoors, and air pollution amplifying
risks for workers globally
-
Climate
change exacerbating challenges, increasing vector-borne diseases such as
malaria and dengue
-
Rise
in pesticide use further endangering workers, with over 870 million
agricultural workers exposed to toxic pesticides, leading to over 300,000
deaths annually
VIII. Extreme Weather Events and
Additional Risks to Workers
-
Increasing
risks to workers, especially those in frontline roles like firefighters
-
Contributing
to various health issues, including occupational cancer, respiratory diseases,
and mental health issues associated with excessive heat exposure.
IX. Regional Variations Closely Linked
to Local Temperatures
-
Approximately
3% of all injuries correlate to rising temperatures closer to the poles.
-
Percentage
escalating to around 10 to the second percent near the equator
-
Injuries
due to falls relatively consistent on average or three times smaller for
workers in temperate regions compared to those in hotter climates.
X. Surprising Trend in Certain Regions
-
Northern
Europe and South America experiencing nearly doubling in the rate of injuries
over the past two decades
-
Offers
a clearer perspective, though more details are available in the report
XI. Conclusion
-
Urgent
need to address challenges faced by workers globally
-
Importance
of prioritizing investments in safety measures to prevent occupational
injuries, accidents, and diseases.
-
Upholding
international standards crucial to ensure a safe and healthy working
environment resilient to climate challenges.
