Addressing the Impact of Climate Change in Workplace Environments
The International Labour Organization (ILO) designates April 28 as World Day for Safety and Health at Work. In 2024, this day takes on even greater significance by focusing on a crucial and highly topical issue: the impact of climate change on occupational safety and health. In a world where climate change is altering weather patterns and increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme and adverse weather events, we need to understand how climate change affects work environments and what measures we can put in place to protect workers.
Climate Change vs Occupational Health and Safety
This year's theme, "Climate Change and Occupational Safety and Health," seeks to raise awareness of the specific risks that climate change poses to the safety and health of workers in various sectors and regions of the world. From scorching heat waves to devastating floods and destructive hurricanes, extreme weather events can threaten the lives and well-being of workers and affect the viability of businesses.
Storms, floods and droughts
In addition to higher temperatures, climate change is also contributing to an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as storms, floods and droughts. These events can disrupt business operations, damage infrastructure and jeopardize worker safety. It is essential that companies include in their emergency plans measures to deal with these situations and ensure the safety of their personnel.
The ILO, with the commemoration of World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024, gives us the opportunity to reflect on the challenges that climate change poses to work environments and the importance of taking measures to protect workers. Promoting adaptation and resilience in the workplace, as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change, are some of the steps we must take on the road to ensuring the safety and health of workers in relation to climate change.
Changes in Regulations
We are beginning to see how legislators are adapting and introducing changes in our regulations, such as the publication of RD 4/2023. Affecting workplaces and with the construction agreements, adapting schedules to outdoor temperatures.
Will we see more changes in the future?
