CLIMATE CHANGE AND WORKERS’ HEALTH AND SAFETY: RESEARCH PRIORITIZATION

Introduction: The effects of climate change (CC) on human health and adaptation measures have been largely discussed for the general population. Its impacts on Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) have however received little attention, although workers may be affected directly by climate change-related hazards or indirectly by modification of the ecosystems.    

Objective: The aim of the process that will be reported in the presentation was to establish the Quebec (Canada) research priorities for studying OHS impacts of CC.    

Methods: The first step of the approach consisted in a review of the scientific literature published between 2005 and 2010, in order to identify the main OHS impacts associated with climate change-related hazards. The second step was the collection of strategic research priorities during a workshop involving national and international experts, and Quebec stakeholders of various industries potentially affected by CC. The last step consisted in using a modified Delphi technique to determine the main OHS research priorities.    

Results: From an initial set of 30 research priorities, twelve were retained through this consultation process. These were purposefully not ranked to allow for some diversification according to specific needs of certain economic sectors. These research avenues are all related to one of four categories: i) Knowledge acquisition on hazards, target populations and methods of adaptation; ii) Surveillance of diseases, accidents and hazards; iii) Development of new adaptation strategies and methods; and iv) Risk communication and knowledge transfer.    

Conclusion: Overall, this process allowed tailoring of literature-derived impacts of CC on OHS to better suit stakeholders’ perceptions and strategic priorities, while helping to establish a consensual research agenda.