Sustainability and the Environment
The natural environment and the work environment are closely intertwined. For example, the chemical risks and air quality risks industrial workers are exposed to are also the main causes of environmental pollution. The two cannot be viewed in isolation. When controlling workplace risks there is a valuable opportunity to protect both the working environment and the natural environment.
Most scientists agree that climate change is a human induced phenomenon. We have created the world we live in and these changes to our climate will greatly influence the world of work, and the world we work in. The future events that will affect workplace change will likely include:
- Rising Temperatures
- Unpredictable rainfall
- Extreme weather events i.e. floods, storms, droughts
- New diseases and disease patterns
- Pollution of air, soil, and water
- Loss of flora and fauna
- Exploitation of natural resources
Climate change and loss of our resources will shape the world of work in terms of the conditions we encounter, and how we are forced to deal with them. Climate change will create and exacerbate workplace risks. The challenges of anticipating climate change and its effects to health and safety at work have received very little international attention.
Climate change, pollution and the environment
Scientists estimate that by 2030 a global temperature rise of 1.5°C will render 2% of working hours as too hot to work in
Scientists estimate that by 2030 a global temperature rise of 1.5°C will render 2% of working hours as too hot to work in. The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has predicted a loss of 72 million jobs within this period. A huge swathe of these effects will be felt in the equator where heat will rise fastest. This especially concerning given that half the word population lives on the equator, and are amongst the poorest globally (Western Africa and Southern Asia), and are primarily employed in outdoor work. Their capacity to carry out work such as agriculture, fishing, and forestry in intense heat will be hugely diminished due to risk of heat stress. It has been anticipated that workers will be affected by higher temperatures in the following ways:
- Reduced areas to work in due to rising sea-levels and temperatures
- Exposure to heat related risks such as dehydration, heat stress, exhaustion, reduced cognitive function leading to safety and health lapses. Increase in biological effects such as cataracts, skin cancers and weakened immunity.
- Heat related health and safety risks such as poor ventilation, no cooling systems, and a reduction in wearing protective clothing and equipment.
- Performance issues (accidents, incidents) associated with physically demanding outdoor work.
- Risks to vulnerable groups such as migrant workers i.e. exploitation, poor conditions
- Developing countries are less able to deal with the increased healthcare burden
Air pollution from fossil fuel combustion and heat stress place a particular health and safety risk on those working outdoors. Those working in physically demanding jobs are at increased risk of inhaling particulate matter generated by pollution. Other environmental factors that are posing a hazard to worker health and safety include:
- Rising sea-levels
- Desertification
- Polar ice-melt
- Loss of arable land
- Wild fires
- UV radiation
- Vector-borne diseases e.g. prevalence of ticks and Lyme disease
Green economy and technologies
Examples of green technology include:
- Sustainable buildings
- Recycling technology
- Renewable energy
- Water capture and services
- Sustainable farming
- Green transportation
- Waste management
- Zero emission technology
Many of the above emerging technologies are complimented by retrofitting existing buildings, facilities and plants with green technologies. Moves towards green technology shape the pattern and structure of employment and work. Examples include wind energy replacing coal mining; Waste to energy replacing landfill; and e-vehicles replacing combustion engine vehicles
In the case of developing countries recycling activities are carried-out by poor workers in a more informal economy
Whilst traditional energy industries such as oil & gas and mining are considered high-risk it does not mean the green alternatives are risk-free and secure. With rapidly developing technologies health and safety policy and management practices can be knee-jerk and poorly thought out. And this is a challenge that will affect the new industries and occupations associated with the green economy. What is favourable in the case of the green economy is that green initiatives tend to be associated with developed countries like Germany and the US, and emerging economies like China and Brazil. These countries are likely to document, manage and enforce these emerging risks.
In the case of developing countries recycling activities are carried-out by poor workers in a more informal economy. Examples of this include waste pickers who have little protection in the way of legal or social protections. From a health and safety perspective vulnerable recycling workers like mothers and children are exposed to all manner of biological, chemical and electrical wastes without control of safety risks and health monitoring.
It has been anticipated that workers will be affected by the green industry lifecycle in the following ways:
- Wind Turbine Sector – exposure to epoxy’s, solvents, gases, vapour and resins will result in health problems such as organ damage, skin and respiratory conditions. Physical exposure to heights, moving equipment, high voltage, and falling objects
- Solar Energy Industry including recycling – exposure to cadmium telluride and gallium arsenide.
- Manufacture of low energy lightbulbs – mercury exposure
- Recycling Sector – exposure to sharps, ethers, heavy metals and harmful flame retardants
- Retrofitting and substitutes – removal of solvent based paints, carcinogens and hydro-chlorofluorocarbons.
- Positive effects – reduction of injuries in heavy and hazardous industries such as mining, oil and gas, and forestry. Lower exposure to agricultural pesticides and chemicals due to organic and sustainable farming.