Advancing the framework for considering the effects of climate change on worker safety and health

Figures & data

Figure 1. Individual outdoor heat-related fatalities 2008–2014 on projection of number of days above 90°F in 2020.

Figure 2. Illustration that new “green” technologies, such as wind energy production, are not hazard free.^[199] (Top right photo used with permission of the Sherman County, Oregon, Sheriff's office.)

Figure 3. Priorities for action to address climate-related occupational safety and health hazards.

Table 1. Framework for climate change and occupational safety and health.

Research Needs
Climate-related Occupational Hazards	Research	Surveillance	Risk Assessment	Risk Management
Increased ambient temperature	• Investigate PPE for use in hot/humid environments • Assess the economic burden of heat influence on worker health and productivity	• Identify geographic range of heat hazards • Identify injuries, illnesses, and deaths on hot days	• Determine risks of toxic and safety effects of chemicals in hot environments • Identify the interaction of various susceptibility factors and heat hazards	• Target heat illness prevention in manual workers • Assess return on investment on interventions • Develop heat stress awareness and education for employers and workers
Air pollution	• Assess impact of ground-level ozone on workers	• Map locations of high concentrations of ground-level ozone	• Assess risk to outdoor workers from the totality of airborne hazards	• Develop guidance based on risk assessment of all air-borne hazards
Ultraviolet radiation	• Assess relationship of UV radiation and climate change at higher altitudes • Determine if solar particle events (protons reaching Earth from solar flares) will increase	• Identify geographic areas with highest UV exposure	• Assess risks for outdoor workers by location	• Develop risk management guidance and policies
Extreme weather	• Assess how social, demographic and environmental factors influence disaster outcomes and worker health • Assess mental health effects of prolonged work	• Evaluate available databases to determine if there are comprehensive data on injury and illness related to extreme weather	• Assess relationship between temperature and lightning strikes • Develop scenarios for worker protection after infrastructure disruption	• Develop plan for targeting at risk workers • Further distribute guidance about carbon monoxide exposure in flood clean up
Vector-borne disease and other biological hazards^a	• Identify tasks that lead to increased workers’ exposure • Assess the extent of pesticide exposure of outdoor workers	• Focus surveillance to determine extent of worker populations at risk	• Identify combined risk of vector-borne disease/biohazards from climate change and other causal factors (e.g., land use)	• Develop guidance for employers on worker protection
Industrial transitions and emerging industries	• Assess mental health effects in workers from industrial transitions	• Increase surveillance of injuries and illness in green jobs	• Model risks to workers of various industrial transitions	• Develop transition management plans that address workers
Changes in the built environment^b	• Assess health and safety impact of various workplace designs • Identify specific tasks involved in geoengineering and their hazards	• Integrate radon maps with workplace location maps	• Assess risks of workers to radon from various building designs	• Promote LEED standards to protect workers

^aName modified to include other biological hazards

^bIncludes geoengineering

Erickson, D.: “Minnesota's Energy Future? Part III: Conservation, Jevons' Paradox and Alternative Energies.” Available at http://www.mnforusustain.org/erickson_dell_minnesotas_energy_future_part_III.htm (accessed May 26, 2016).

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