The impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health
Did you feel that? Did you spare a thought for a missing colleague, friend, partner or family member or even a strange?
Another World Health and Safety Day has come and it has gone. On the 28th April 2024, a Remembrance Day was held for all those workers lost in tragic and mostly avoidable incidents/accidents that take place daily and yet has a lasting impact in our lives.
While the deaths and injuries which include both temporary and permanent disablements take place through poor or failed health and safety systems, systems which if applied appropriately are designed to safeguard your very health and safety.
That said, workers also have a responsibility for their own health and safety and that of their colleagues as well as other persons that could be impacted by their failure to adhere to the very systems put in place to protect them.
This year, the International Labour Organisation thought it fit to choose a theme that it top most in our minds, the essence of which will be with us for years to come and its very impact felt without fail almost daily around the world. World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024: “The impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health”. The World Health and Safety Day aims to raise awareness and educate people about the importance of safe, healthy, and proper working environments. Working environments that show that workers rights are human rights by its very nature and practice.
The ‘World Health and Safety Day’ was initially established and promoted by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 2003 and henceforth it has become a ‘Global Day of Remembrance’. The special occasion promotes the prevention of work-related accidents for both individuals and organisations. It was decided in June 2022 at the International Labour Conference (ILC) to have included ‘a safe and healthy working environment’ in the ILO’s framework of fundamental principles and rights at work.
What is meant by “The impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health” for you in your work environment? Have you given this some thought as to how this has impacted on you and your work environment or possibly, it has already impacted on you and your work environment.
As climate change intensifies, workers around the globe find themselves at an increased risk of exposure to hazards such as excessive heat, ultraviolet radiation, extreme weather events, air pollution, vector-borne diseases and agrochemicals.
“In April, Toyota South Africa’s Prospecton production plant in Durban faced serious flooding due to heavy rains in KwaZulu-Natal. The area experienced the most intense rainfall in 29 years, with some regions receiving up to 300mm of rain in less than 24 hours. The Shongweni Dam, located near Toyota’s plant, quickly reached its maximum capacity and released water, leading to the Mlazi River flooding and bursting its banks. As a result, all 87 hectares of the facility were flooded within an hour, causing significant damage1. Lower floors were completely submerged, and ground floor areas had between 400mm to over a meter of mud and water, making navigation within the plant challenging. Toyota’s local suppliers were also affected, impacting critical components like plastics, wiring harnesses, and fuel tanks.
Recovery efforts involved over 200 experts from Japan assisting the South African branch in getting the plant back on its feet. Despite the challenges, the factory is now fully operational, producing hundreds of vehicles daily for the local market and exporting units to their destinations1.”
1topauto.co.za2bing.com3engineeringnews.co.za4businesslive.co.za5moneyweb.co.za
Not too long ago you will recall that Durban experienced some devastating rains (flooding) that literally affected many businesses for weeks thereafter.
At the time it was reported by News 24 that “Toyota could lose 45 000 vehicles at Durban plant due to flood impact.” The impact was huge and something that one cannot say that you will recover from. What is lost is lost and you can only move forward from that.
But what else can be done to effectively deal with what the theme tries to address as this, is the crux of the matter. ‘Climate Change’ is real and is not about to go away, not today and not tomorrow, however, there are things we need to do to lessen the impact or remove its devastating effects. How then do we influence the outcomes?
The ILO has provided some estimates of how workers are impacted by the ever changing effects of climate change:
Excessive heat:
At least 2.41 billion workers exposed annually to excessive heat.
UV radiation:
1.6 billion workers exposed annually to solar UV radiation.
Vector-borne diseases:
Over 15,170 work-related deaths each year attributable to parasitic and vector diseases.
Workplace air pollution:
Increased risk of exposure to air pollution for the 1.6 billion outdoor workers.
How would you go about addressing the plight of workers in a high heat environment?:
To address the exposure of workers to excessive heat at the workplace, implement the following measures:
Assess the Risk:
Evaluate the work environment to identify areas with high heat exposure.
Consider factors such as air temperature, humidity, and clothing worn by workers.
Limit Heat Exposure:
Provide regular rest breaks in a cool area (preferably air-conditioned).
Modify work/rest periods to allow the body to dissipate excess heat.
Assign lighter work and longer, more frequent rest periods for new and unacclimatised workers.
Reduce Metabolic Heat Load:
Encourage workers to drink plenty of fluids (water is best) throughout the day.
Ensure workers wear loose-fitting, light-coloured clothing to minimise heat retention.
Acclimate Workers:
Gradually expose workers to hot environments to help them adapt.
Acclimatisation improves the body’s ability to handle heat stress.
Monitor for Signs of Heat Stress:
Train supervisors and workers to recognise symptoms of heat stress (e.g., fatigue, dizziness, nausea).
Provide first aid promptly if necessary.
Remember that heat stress can lead to heat exhaustion, heat stroke and death, so proactive measures are crucial for worker safety. Stay vigilant and prioritise the well-being of your workforce!
1safetydocs.safetyculture.com2cdc.gov3safetyculture.com4blogs.cdc.gov
While the aforementioned is merely a sample of what you can do for your workers, you need to thoroughly apply your mind to what you need to do ensure the health and safety of your workforce and similarly educate your workers on how to address any situation they may encounter be it: Excessive heat; UV radiation; Vector-borne diseases; Workplace air pollution (Indoor air quality – IAQ) and the like. Communication is key in these times, get workers to communicate issues they are faced with in their work environment before it becomes a problem. Lets make this year count. Lets save lives. Lets mitigate or remove those real threats that increase the risks within our working environments.
Did you know …. that “’The World Day for Safety and Health at Work’ began in 2003. This was declared as an annual campaign to promote safety in the workplace. On this day, the ‘International Commemoration Day of Dead and Injured Workers’ is also marked globally and celebrates the anniversary of the adoption of the ‘Occupational Safety and Health Convention’ by the ILO in 1971”. World Day For Safety And Health At Work 2024: History, significance and theme (cnbctv18.com)
By Tibor Szana
Retired Chief Inspector
