Ss20-04 Climate Change and Occupational Safety

Abstract Introduction Climate change may affect workers in two different ways. Firstly, direct effects such as high temperatures, changes in the environment (circulation of biological agents, increased particulate pollution, etc.) and extreme events. Secondly, indirect effect through the modification it induces in activity with the introduction of new technologies, changes to workplaces and organisations with a view to limiting its impact on the environment. Materials and Methods The ongoing activity in various European institutes will be investigated in collaboration with scientists from these institutions. Conclusions Climate change is not a new category of risk. It is systemic in nature and encompasses everything from technical aspects to organisations and mental health. The direct impact of climate change, manifests itself through phenomena that are already known and for which there are often means of prevention, but for which there is reason to fear that they will increase in frequency and scope. Indirect effects may affect all sectors of activity with changes in energy use, processes or materials (low-carbon, requiring less water). Sometimes the hazards are known, but not necessarily in the ‘right’ sector of activity, and the challenge lies in transferring occupational health and safety skills to new players, and above all to a growing number of workers in fast-expanding sectors. One should also consider changes in the way work is organised: new division of labour within a sector, new manufacturing methods, adaptation of workstations and working hours to take account of climatic hazards, etc.