Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate

Climate change is already having serious impacts on the safety and health of workers in all regions of the world. Workers are among those most exposed to climate change hazards yet frequently have no choice but to continue working, even if conditions are dangerous. Global occupational safety and health (OSH) protections have struggled to keep up with the evolving risks from climate change, resulting in worker mortality and morbidity.

This report presents critical evidence related to the impacts of climate change on OSH, to bring attention to the global health threat workers are currently facing. The report addresses the following key issues:

• Excessive heat
• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation
• Extreme weather events
• Workplace air pollution
• Vector-borne diseases
• Agrochemicals