Ss51- Combating Occupational Heat Stress: Moving Towards a Global Approach

Through highlighting occupational heat stress mitigation programs in five regions (i.e., South Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Europe, and Mesoamerica) we will explore the adaptation and scaling of effective programs. The session explores the need to collectively gather and analyse information on a global level, and the considerations required for effective uptake in the private and public sectors. Experiences from leading experts and programs will provide insight into what elements of interventions have been effective, what have historically been overlooked and the opportunities that each has created. Building on these individual experiences, the objective of the session is to lay the foundation for future collaborative, inclusive and transdisciplinary efforts to mitigate the negative impacts of occupational heat stress on workers, industry and public institutions. Special attention will be given to practical considerations with a focus on what makes interventions viable, the need for effective protocol design and subsequent implementation support to ensure adherence by workers and employers. We will also discuss how we have used findings for improving public and private polices impacting worker protections in a warming world while guaranteeing all stakeholders, especially workers at risk, have a voice in the design and intended impact of such efforts. The intended outcomes of this Special Session are: 1) convey the essential elements of leading occupational heat stress mitigation programs 2) provide insights and discuss emergent opportunities from each of these efforts, and 3) propose a way forward for the development of future heat stress mitigation programs through collaborative and transdisciplinary approaches