Climate change is now causing workers of the world especially those who work outdoors, to suffer from "heat stress", that can be hazardous to health and can even cause diseases and even death.
According to the recent the United Nations' Climate Vulnerable Forum report entitled, "Climate Change and Labour: Impacts of Heat in the Workplace", the global organization issued a warning about working during extremely hot conditions where workers are prone to injuries caused by heat such as heat stroke.
The report reveals that naturally, when it is too hot outside, people tend to work less efficiently outdoors, in factories, the office or while mobile, that can diminish the ability for physical exertion and completing mental tasks.
The forum involves discussing the significant effects of climate change on working conditions and workers' state of health that lead to loss of economic productivity. The results reveal that emerging economies can even face as much as 10 percent loss in working hours due to deteriorating conditions in the work place caused by rising temperatures.
Experts believe that the Paris Agreement can lessen these effects of climate change and eventually improve the working conditions especially with those occupations involve working outdoors. The forum determined the regions around the world that are highly vulnerable to extreme heat are, southern United States, Central America, the Caribbean, northern regions of South America, northern and western South American, South Asia and Southeast Asia.
According to United Nations Development Program Geneva Director, Maria Luisa Silva, this report's main goal is to recognize this very specific and serious matter to begin immediate steps on how to respond to this problem. This means that this issue is required much needed attention and support from governments, employers and employees including relevant international organizations to achieve Sustainable Development Goals in 2030.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, workers are not the only ones who are vulnerable but also those who are also outdoors often such as travelers. The agency also says that extremely hot weather due to climate change can cause health conditions to be at risk, leading to heat exhaustion, hyponatremia from exercise and heat stroke.
CDC also released a set of guidelines for workers' protection from extreme heat, advising them to follow these, to prevent "heat stress".
If working in a hot environment is inevitable, a gradual increase in exposure is advisable as opposed to an abrupt exposure, which can cause severe conditions. A buddy system is also advisable, by appointing a co-worker to routinely accomplish a check on everyone who is exposed to heat, to ensure water consumption and resting in the shade, to prevent heat related symptoms.
Frequent rest breaks are also advised for scheduling during work hours, including wearing appropriate, breathable clothing made from light and loose fitting material. Lastly, drinking plenty of water and fluids to hydrate during work hours is an absolute must.