IOSH sounds alarm on climate dangers at work

Nearly three-quarters of the world’s workers are exposed to excessive heat every year. IOSH wants governments to develop and enforce climate-related health and safety regulations as part of existing labour and OSH laws. This, it says, should particularly focus on vulnerable workers.

Businesses’ duty to protect their workers

Meanwhile, IOSH is calling on businesses to ensure they have climate-related risk management rooted in their internal policies and systems.

IOSH has made the calls in a new white paper, The heat is on: protecting worker health and safety from the impacts of climate change. 

The paper highlights a growing “crisis” at work, with people being exposed to a range of climate-related risks to their health and safety. These include extreme temperatures, poor air quality, increases in vector-borne and infectious diseases and storm surges. 

The issue is particularly severe for certain sectors and groups of workers, including agricultural workers, emergency responders, construction workers and those working in commercial fishing. Even those who work indoors are at risk, with heat and air pollution threatening manufacturing and warehouse workers.

“We see and hear about the real-life stories about the impact that climate change is having on our world and in our communities. But what about the impacts of climate change on the health and safety of people at work?”

Ruth Wilkinson, head of policy and public affairs at IOSH, said:  “All workers are facing climate-related risks. You could be working indoors or outdoors, or you could be an emergency responder reacting to climate events. This is a growing crisis that will only get worse if collective action isn’t taken.

“This action needs to be coordinated. We are calling on governments to factor climate-related risks into their labour and OSH laws. We want to see more investment, including in research to deepen understanding of the risks to workers. This research should also facilitate adaptations and mitigations to the work-related impacts of climate change.

“Businesses should include these risks in their internal processes, ensuring that they assess the climate-related risks and take action to mitigate the risks proportionately. Controls in place should include training and awareness for all workers. The implementation within internal processes should all be part of robust occupational health and safety management systems and risk management processes.”

As well as calls to governments and businesses, IOSH has also highlighted the important role health and safety professionals have to play. This includes through assisting businesses with their approach to managing the risks.

Sector-specific impacts

The launch of IOSH’s white paper coincides with the publication of a report from the Lloyd’s Register Foundation Global Safety Evidence Centre. This reviews the evidence on how climate change heightens risks for workers, including sector-specific impacts such as those on construction, manufacturing, and mining and quarrying.

Nancy Hey, Director of Evidence and Insight at the Foundation, said: “As the effects of climate change continue, the impact on work is also changing. This affects all of us, but some sectors and geographies stand to be more affected than others.

“IOSH’s paper highlights what can be done to manage these risks. Our own report has shown a need to work together on evidence to inform the actions that must be taken to protect workers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries."

The need to work together

Nancy continued: “Where there is good existing evidence – such as on risks from heat and UV radiation – we must collaborate to get that knowledge to sectors and regions that need it – sometimes suddenly – as their industries change. This will be key to protecting workers.”

Ruth added: “The impacts of climate change are already being realised. Action to address climate change needs to happen at multilateral, national and local levels, including with businesses. 

“As part of this collective global action, it’s crucial we consider the impacts on people. We must give attention to workers and particularly to vulnerable worker groups, so that adaptation and mitigation measures can be taken. 

“So we all have a role to play, we need to work together to share knowledge and learning, and take action to manage the risks. Action needs to be taken, and fast.”