ISSUES RELATED TO CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS IN THE WORKPLACE

Introduction : Research on the impacts of Climate Change (CC) has focused on the general population, particularly on a few vulnerable subgroups such as children, pregnant women, the chronically ill and elderly persons. CC impacts on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) have however received little attention.    

Objectives: A literature search was undertaken as a preliminary step toward the identification of research priorities for the study of OHS impacts of CC.    

Methods : A systematic review of the scientific literature published between 2005 and 2011 was conducted using several databases (Medline, Embase, Web of science, Toxline, Chemical abstract, Google scholar,  and Scirus) and websites of several agencies (i.e. International Panel on Climate Change; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, World Health Organization, National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety, etc.). The keywords used, in combination with work* or occupation*, were: climate, climate change and global warming.    

Results : The main hazards identified can be categorized into seven large groups: heat waves, air pollution, UV radiation, extreme weather events, zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, adverse impacts on natural resources and other socio-economic impacts. Of these hazards, only heat stress and UV radiation have been addressed specifically regarding workers’ health and safety. The associated impacts range from cramps and fatigue to depression, allergic sensitization, increased accidents rates, cancer and death. According to rough calculations, between 15 and 30% of workers could be directly exposed to CC hazards in Quebec, under a temperate climate. These proportions will probably be larger in areas with tropical and sub-tropical climates.    

Conclusion : CC will impact OHS in both developed and developing countries. The prevalence of hazards, their intensity and distribution are likely to vary depending on industrial sectors, climatic factors and economic development, and it is possible that known hazards interact with new work situations to produce new risks.