As we approach the World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April 28th, it’s imperative to acknowledge the evolving landscape of occupational safety and health, particularly in light of climate change’s far-reaching impacts.
At CG Business Consulting, we recognise the critical role that proactive measures play in safeguarding businesses against the repercussions of these environmental shifts. This year’s theme, “Impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health,” underscores the urgency for organisations to fortify their safety protocols in the face of escalating environmental challenges.
Climate change isn’t merely a distant concern—it’s a present reality reshaping the way we work and operate. Extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and shifting precipitation patterns pose significant risks to workers’ safety and well-being. From construction sites battling heat stress to agricultural workers facing increased exposure to hazardous conditions, the effects of climate change are reverberating across various industries.
Here in Ireland, we find ourselves being continuously subjected to a seemingly endless barrage of meteorological events including the notable increase in levels of rainfall, as well as the rising number of ‘named storms’, of which there has already been 10 since the season began in September 2023.
EU Copernicus & WMO publish European State of the Climate Report
A new report into the changing nature of the climate and resultant devastating impact of ongoing fluctuations in weather patterns has been published by the EU’s Copernicus Climate Service in conjunction with the World Meteorological Organisation.
At a high level, the European State of the Climate report shows:
- A loss of just over Euro 13 billion to the overall EU economy;
- Above average temperatures during 11 months in 2023;
- Europe experienced the warmest September on record;
- 63 people died as a direct result of the 11 storms that impacted the EU as a whole;
- Those 11 Storms affected an estimated 550,000 people;
- The largest wildfire in Europe occurred in 2023, causing the deaths of 44 people; combined, 2023 wildfires impacted 36,000 people across Europe.
“Since the 1980s, Europe has been warming twice as fast as the global average, becoming the fastest-warming continent on Earth”
European State of the Climate Report
What impact is Climate Change having on the Irish workplace?
The State of the Climate report issues a stark warning of high risk to public health due to the growing frequency and intensity of ‘heatwave events’ resulting in extreme heat stress.
For many years, hot and sticky workplaces were mainly the remit of poorly ventilated city centre office blocks and manufacturing plants filled with heat generating tech and equipment. Since the turn of the century, more-so the start of this decade, more and more Irish workers are carrying out their duties during prolonged spells of unprecedented heat.
Extreme Heat Stress due to heatwaves and unseasonal high temperatures
The number of adverse worker health impacts arising from inclement or extreme weather events is rising rapidly. Extreme heat is now one of the greatest meteorological challenges of our lifetime, posing significant risk not just to the Irish population as a whole, but to our workforce, with those working outdoor jobs and/or in already challenging conditions, such as kitchens, foundries and healthcare settings, being at particular risk.
“Europe is the fastest warming continent, with temperatures rising at about twice the average rate. The three years since 2020 have been the warmest on record”
Samantha Burgess, Dep. Director, EU Copernicus Climate Change Service
Our island is part of the fastest warming continent on earth. It is also a country surrounded by continuously warming seas. With temperatures set to continue rising, this poses serious and costly challenges to employers, who will have to adjust their workplace accordingly. Air Conditioning, ventilation, office thermostats, standard/quality of glass, furniture and upholstery fabrics – all essentials in maintaining ambient air temperatures and air quality across a safe and healthy working environment.
Employers across the board will be expected to stage heatwave interventions to protect staff
With unprecedented levels of day and night time heat being once again predicted for Summer 2024 and beyond, business leaders need to ensure the materials used across their work spaces are heat reflective and resilient. Glass offices or those with large windows, should have sufficient covering in the form of blinds or shades to offer dual protection from both the hot rays of the sun and that bright high summer sunlight so damaging to human eyes.
In addition to protection from direct sun heat and light, employers will need to ensure air temperatures are monitored. This will involve initiating regular maintenance checks on everything from thermostats and air vents, to heating and air conditioning units. Similarly, air conditioning should be a fundamental part of any business premises fit out, particularly for those businesses reliant on night shift workers who have to endure high nocturnal humidity levels. Optimal air con and ventilation are imperatives for employees suffering with breathing or heart difficulties, with asthmatics being particularly vulnerable to extreme humid conditions.
“Across the EU, we are experiencing heatwaves so intense that the human body cannot cope”
State of the Climate Report
In addition to managing and monitoring light, heat and air, employers should ensure that safe drinking water is freely available to avoid worker dehydration. Water filters can be installed across larger premises, while smaller business owners can easily keep a rein on costs by using water filter jugs which can be popped into the fridge to keep water clean and cold during extreme heat situations.
In essence, to uphold the principles of rigorous health and safety during periods of extreme heat, employers across the board will be expected to stage heatwave interventions to protect their staff.
Heat stress is just one of the several impacts of climate change on the world of work.
Other examples of occupational risk being exacerbated by the ever deepening climate crisis include:
- UV radiation;
- Air Pollution;
- Major Industrial Accidents;
- Extreme Weather Events;
- Vector-borne Disease;
- Increased Exposure to Chemicals.
What are examples of air pollutants?
According to the EU commissioned report, heat-trapping pollutants, which clog the earth’s atmosphere, have been the primary cause of the dramatic rise in temperatures across Europe, especially since 2020.
Examples of these Green House Gases or GHGs as they are more commonly known include Carbon Dioxide, Methane, Nitrous Oxide, Water Vapour and synthetic Fluorinated Gases.
Irish businesses contribute significantly to our overall rate of GHG emissions. It is a well known fact, that buildings alone contribute to 40% of carbon emissions. This is due primarily to a reliance on fossil-based energy to heat and power them. Methane, the principal component of LPG, is widely used across a number of industries including Food & Beverage, where usage of gas stoves creates extremely high levels of toxic pollutants.
Methane, a highly toxic air pollutant, is widely used across a number of industries in Ireland
Examples of where or how air polluting gases are emitted in the workplace, thereby presenting a direct hazard to employees in the immediate vicinity would include:
Methane & Nitrous Oxide
Carbon Dioxide
At a more local level, employers can limit employee exposure to air pollutants by making small yet significant changes such as:
- Putting an embargo on certain cleaning products such as bleach;
- Ensuring all machinery and equipment is cleaned and maintained regularly to limit emissions including dust;
- Installing non-toxic carpeting such as untreated sisal and jute, avoiding high pile carpeting and tiles at all costs; replacing door and foot mats on a regular basis.
What is Irish public opinion to Climate Action?
In a year that has seen a landmark ruling by the ECHR (binding on the 46 countries of Europe), which found in favour of a group of female senior citizens who had taken a case against Switzerland for failing to protect them against the negative impacts of climate change, it is becoming increasingly incumbent upon business and political leaders to put the necessary measures in place to protect their employees and citizens respectively.
“This is only the beginning of climate litigation. This is only the beginning. We will have to fight even more because in a climate emergency, everything is at stake.”
Greta Thunberg
The weather events arising from the climate crisis pose severe challenges for many industries including Water & Waste Water Management and Agriculture & Fishing, as well as Public Services. These strains then take their toll on those employees working across these and other impacted sectors. In addition, millions of employees of organisations not indirectly impacted by climate change, are also experiencing climate-caused hardship, while the knock-on effect of economic loss (Euro 13.4 billion in 2023 alone) is growing unemployment and redundancy.
Official figures compiled by the Friend of the Earth clearly shows a positive attitude towards Ireland’s Climate Action plans and targets, with a majority of those polled indicating support for ongoing measures such as ramping up of green energy and transport and opening up of more public transport routes/lanes, as well as the recently introduced Return Recycling Scheme. Politicians have the backing of the Irish public; so too, do business leaders. Supporting businesses to ramp up the drive towards sustainability can only result in a win/win for all concerned. More productive and profitable, customer-centric businesses, with cleaner, safer and healthier work environments for employees.
“An increase in extreme rainfall is leading to catastrophic events, such as the widespread flooding seen in Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Norway and Sweden in 2023. Meanwhile, southern Europe is seeing widespread droughts”
State of the Climate Report
2023 was a record breaking year – for all the wrong reasons.
It was a year in which Europe suffered its worst ever wildfire, the highest level of rainfall in decades, marine heatwaves and widespread flooding. This World Day for Safety & Health at Work, we urge you to make the changes necessary to help support our people and our planet. In our last blog, posted on Earth Day, we spoke about ISO EH&S standards and how they can benefit businesses to do just that.
We don’t want to repeat ourselves, but in case you missed it, here is a link where you can read up on ISO 14001 and 45001 Environmental, Health & Safety Management Systems.
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
28th April
World Day for Safety and Health at Work is marked annually on 28th April. Its aim is to help drive awareness for employee rights for a clean, healthy and safe working environment, citing Occupational Health and Safety as a fundamental employer obligation. Under the terms of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work, 2005 Ireland Act, employers are legally bound, in as far as is possible, to provide safe, healthy and clean working conditions for their employees. They are also obliged to ensure all equipment, machinery and tools are regularly and properly maintained.
Employers also have an obligation to put measures in place to promote positive employee wellbeing, physical and mental. World Day for Safety and Health at Work advocates for regular spot checks and workplace reviews to be carried out to minimise risk and ensure continuous improvement.
To address these challenges, CG Business Consulting advocates for the implementation of ISO 45001, the international standard for occupational health and safety management systems. By adopting ISO 45001, businesses can proactively identify and mitigate risks associated with climate-related hazards, ensuring the well-being of their workforce while enhancing organisational resilience.
ISO 45001 provides a comprehensive framework for managing occupational health and safety risks, encompassing everything from risk assessment and hazard identification to emergency preparedness and response. By integrating climate change considerations into their safety management systems, businesses can adapt to evolving environmental conditions and minimise disruptions to operations.
Moreover, ISO 45001 fosters a culture of continuous improvement, empowering organisations to stay ahead of emerging safety challenges. Through regular audits, performance evaluations, and stakeholder engagement, businesses can refine their safety protocols to align with evolving climate realities and regulatory requirements.
At CG Business Consulting, we offer tailored solutions to help businesses implement ISO 45001 effectively. Our team of experts works closely with clients to assess their unique risk profiles, develop robust safety management systems, and provide ongoing support to ensure compliance and optimisation.
As we commemorate the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, let us reaffirm our commitment to prioritising the well-being of workers and the resilience of businesses in the face of climate change. By embracing ISO 45001 and adopting a proactive approach to safety and health management, organisations can navigate the challenges of a changing climate while ensuring a safer and more sustainable future for all.
Stay safe. Stay resilient. With CG Business Consulting.
*Source, European State of the Climate Report, Met Eireann Website, Guardian Environment
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