Ss03-01 Negative Occupational Health and Safety Impact of Climate Changes on Organizations

Introduction Climate change, increasingly seen as a global challenge, has profound adverse effects on occupational health and safety (OH&S) within organizations. This study investigates the negative OH&S impact of climate change on organizations and their workers, examining related health and safety risks and risk management strategies. Materials and Methods Using a multidisciplinary approach, this study reviewed relevant literature, focusing on the analysis on the potential negative impacts of climate change on OH&S within organizations across various sectors and regions, to derive insightful recommendations. Results Findings revealed a complex interplay between climate change and negative OH&S impacts on organizations. The increased frequency and intensity of heatwaves, cold snaps, drought, flooding and fires pose heightened risks to workers' health and safety. Key identified areas of concern encompass heat stress, vector-borne disease outbreaks, food and water insecurity, air pollution, UV radiation, psychological distress among workers; injuries and death from extreme weather events and climate change mitigation activities, as well as worker displacement. Reduced access to healthcare further compounds these issues. Conclusions The negative OH&S impact of climate change presents substantial challenges for organizations across the globe. Organizations must prioritize adaptation measures comprising heat stress management, improved infrastructure resilience, and comprehensive emergency response plans. Additionally, fostering a culture of awareness, education, and collaboration is crucial to enhancing workers' protection, preparedness and resilience. To prevent climate change and related OH&S harms from worsening, proactive mitigation strategies are also imperative.