The impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health
Climate change is already having serious impacts on planetary health, human health and the world of work. As this problem intensifies, workers around the globe find themselves at an increased risk of exposure to hazards such as excessive heat, ultraviolet radiation, extreme weather events, air pollution, vector-borne diseases and agrochemicals. Numerous health conditions are linked to climate change, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, and mental health disorders.
Promoting, respecting and realizing the fundamental principle and right at work of a safe and healthy working environment also means addressing dangerous climate change impacts in the workplace. Mainstreaming occupational safety and health (OSH) into climate policies and integrating climate concerns into OSH practices is crucial. Legislation may need re-evaluation or new regulations as climate hazards evolve.
Collaboration between governments and social partners is vital for climate mitigation and adaptation policies. The time to act is now!
On the occasion of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024, the ILO has launched a new report titled « Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate, » which reveals alarming new data on the impact of climate change on workers’ safety and health.
Source: Text & Image: https://www.un.org/en/observances/work-safety-day
La Journée d’action pour la santé des femmes a été créée au Costa Rica lors de la cinquième Rencontre internationale sur la santé des femmes en 1987. Après huit ans de campagne pour combattre la mortalité et la morbidité maternelles, les femmes ont estimé qu’il fallait recentrer la campagne autour du phénomène de privatisation dans un contexte néolibéral. C’est pour cette raison que la Journée internationale d’action de 1997 a eu pour cible les problèmes d’accès à des services de santé de qualité, accès considéré comme un droit des femmes.