Are green jobs, healthy jobs?

The 21st century faces two significant challenges: The first is to avert dangerous climate change and deterioration of natural resources which could seriously jeopardize the quality of life of present and future generations. The second is to ensure that social development and environmental protection bring in healthier and safer workplaces and decent work for all. The promotion of the green economy and the creation of “green jobs” have become key drivers for achieving economic and social development that is also environmentally sustainable. However, recent investment in environmentally friendly technology creating “green jobs” has raised concerns about insufficient attention being given to occupational risks in such jobs and to the need to integrate safety and health measures in the design of green jobs. Even if certain jobs are considered to be “green”, the technologies used may not be green at all. Some of these technologies can contribute to new and emerging risks. Such risks may range from exposure to lead and asbestos during energy-efficient retrofitting in older buildings, to risks of fatal falls during the construction and maintenance of windmills or the installation of solar panels without adequate training and fall protection systems; furthermore, when buildings with solar panels are demolished workers can be exposed to cadmium and other toxic materials. Certain occupational risks may increase with ‘green jobs’, as for example, in the treatment of waste. The challenge is to move towards a healthier and safer green economy. As a new industry, the implementation of preventive measures in the design phase is crucial; both awareness of the impact of emerging risks linked to green jobs, as well as further research are necessary. For this reason, the ILO has chosen this topic for the 28th of April campaign for the World Day for Safety and Health at Work for 2012.