Table of Contents
THE CONTEXT: Climate change and environmental degradation are increasingly impacting worker safety and health globally, with heat stress emerging as a significant threat to labor efficiency and productivity. This phenomenon mainly affects vulnerable workers who often cannot afford to stop working despite hazardous conditions due to financial constraints.
THE ISSUES:
- Health Effects of Heat Stress: Heat stress can cause severe health issues such as heat stroke, cramps, cardiovascular disease, acute kidney injury, and physical injuries. For women, especially those in heat-exposed sectors like agriculture, it can lead to pregnancy-related complications, including hypertension, miscarriages, and premature births.
- Impact on Labour Efficiency and Productivity: Heat stress reduces labour efficiency and productivity by necessitating slower work paces or reducing work hours. The ILO study (2019) projected a 2.2% reduction in total working hours worldwide by 2030 due to heat stress, leading to a global GDP loss of US$2,400 billion. Agricultural and construction workers are expected to be the most affected.
- Regional Disparities: The impact of heat stress is not uniform across regions. Heat stress means that Asia and the Pacific regions are expected to experience the highest GDP losses. Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa are particularly vulnerable, with significant portions of their workforce in the agriculture and construction sectors.
- Vulnerability of Specific Groups: Certain groups, including agricultural workers, migrant workers, and those in the informal economy, are particularly vulnerable to heat stress. These workers often lack adequate occupational safety and health protections, essential services, and infrastructure, making them more susceptible to the adverse effects of extreme heat.
- Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Excessive heat stress is expected to hinder the achievement of various SDGs, particularly those related to decent work, economic growth, and reducing inequalities. The decline in available working hours and output among small-scale and subsistence farmers can affect household food security and exacerbate gender disparities in the workforce.
- Need for Adaptation and Mitigation Measures: To reduce the detrimental impact of heat stress on workers, there is a critical need for adaptation and mitigation measures at global, national, and workplace levels. This includes developing sufficient infrastructure, enhancing early warning systems for extreme weather events, and improving the implementation of international labour standards related to occupational safety and health.
THE WAY FORWARD:
- Implementing Heat-Resilient Infrastructure: According to the WHO, cities should be designed to minimize heat accumulation, focusing on increasing green space and using appropriate housing materials to reduce human exposure to excess heat. Countries like Germany have implemented green roofs and walls, which cool buildings and improve air quality and biodiversity.
- Enhancing Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Regulations: The ILO emphasizes the need for robust OSH protections to keep pace with climate-related risks, highlighting the importance of integrating these considerations into climate change responses. Australia has comprehensive heat stress guidelines for workers, including mandatory rest periods and hydration protocols to prevent heat-related illnesses.
- Promoting Green Jobs: Encouraging the development of green jobs that focus on environmental sustainability can provide safer working conditions and contribute to climate change mitigation. These jobs should prioritize energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture. Denmark has successfully promoted green jobs through policies that support renewable energy projects and energy-efficient technologies, creating a safer and more sustainable workforce.
- Implementing Early Warning Systems and Heat Action Plans: The WHO and ILO stress the importance of preparedness and risk management to protect health from rising temperatures. India’s National Disaster Management Authority has guidelines for heatwave action plans, focusing on public education, hydration, and medical facilities to protect the workforce from extreme heat.
- Providing Education and Training on Heat Stress Management: Educating workers and employers about the risks of heat stress and training them on prevention and management strategies is vital. The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides extensive resources and training programs on heat stress management, helping to reduce heat-related illnesses and fatalities among workers.
THE CONCLUSION:
To mitigate the adverse effects of heat stress on workers, all stakeholders must collaborate on implementing protective measures, enhancing infrastructure, and improving communication. Promoting green jobs and adhering to international labor standards can ensure safer working conditions and support the well-being of the global workforce.
UPSC PAST YEAR QUESTIONS:
Q.1 Explain the causes of the formation of heat islands in the world’s urban habitat. 2013
Q.2 Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and the symptoms of climate change in the Indian sub-continent. 2014
Q.3 Discuss the consequences of climate change on food security in tropical countries. 2023
Q.4 Vulnerability is essential for defining disaster impacts and its threat to people. How and in what ways can vulnerability to disasters be characterized? Discuss different types of vulnerability concerning disasters. 2019
MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION:
Q.1 Discuss the impact of climate change and heat stress on the health and productivity of workers, particularly in sectors such as agriculture and construction
SOURCE:
Spread the Word