Global climate change, which has become one of the most visible environmental concerns of the 21st Century, can impact human health both directly and indirectly . As with any rapidly evolving issue, the transition from a theoretical possibility to a recognized threat presents broad challenges, from risk assessment to preparedness planning . Although there is considerable research and planning on the effects of climate change on public health and the environment , this paper will focus specifically on its implications for worker health and the safety.
Workers are often the first to be exposed to the effects of climate change, for longer durations and at greater intensities than the general public. Additionally, workers are often exposed to conditions that the general public can elect to avoid. Furthermore, the number of employees working in the most affected occupations is likely to increase. Given as much, workers could be called “the canaries in the coal mine” of climate change; that is, adverse impacts on workers, such as disease or injury, may be among the first indicators of its health effects . The challenge is to characterize how these climate events may influence worker health and safety and to establish plans for mitigating, responding, and adapting to the current and anticipated impacts.
Worker populations affected by climate change include agricultural workers, construction workers, emergency responders, commercial fishermen, paramedics and fire fighters, transportation workers, and other workers exposed to outdoor weather conditions, particularly those performing physically demanding work for extended periods of time, e.g., sugarcane cutters . Indoor workers can also be affected by climate change; for example, increased heat and air pollution exposure among factory workers. some workers—migrant workers, informal workers, and day-laborers—may be more vulnerable to the health effects of climate change. Extreme poverty may also adversely impact access to healthy sustenance. For these groups, the health effects of climate change that lead to occupational exposure may be exacerbated by onerous non-work-related issues, such as inadequate housing and lack of air conditioning. It is possible that the health burden related to climate change may be greater for workers in low- and middle- income countries in tropical areas or areas with frequent exposure to extreme weather events and high temperatures; these same countries could have fewer resources available for mitigation and adaptation . Moreover, in less developed areas, risk-response may be less organized than in developed ones that typically have comprehensive regulations and emergency response systems.