There is no doubt that with climate changes, extreme heat events are increasing, posing a significant risk to workers, particularly those working outdoors.
A recent systematic review by of 29 studies has looked at what is known about the impact of climate change on outdoor workers, and factors that affect our resilience to working in heat.
It also reviewed strategies that workplaces can build into work health and safety programs to improve heat resilience, including:
- measures targeting hydration
- work–rest regimes
- training and awareness
- protective equipment.
The researchers concluded that integration of climate change adaptation strategies into occupational health programs can enhance occupational heat resilience among outdoor workers. Risk management strategies, adaptive measures, heat risk awareness, practical interventions, training programs, and protective policies should be implemented in hot-dry and hot-humid climates to boost the tolerance and resilience of outdoor workers
Read more: Summary
Habibi, P., Razmjouei, J., Moradi, A. et al. Climate change and heat stress resilient outdoor workers: findings from systematic literature review. BMC Public Health 24, 1711 (Full article – Open Access) More information on the site: Heat