| Document ID (ISN) | 112476 |
| CIS number |
12-0069 |
| ISSN - Serial title |
1545-9624 - Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene |
| Year |
2009 |
| Convention or series no. |
|
| Author(s) |
Schulte P.A., Chun H. |
| Title |
Climate change and occupational safety and health: Establishing a preliminary framework |
| Bibliographic information |
Sep. 2009, Vol.6, p.542-554. Illus. 136 ref. |
| Internet access |
Climate_change_and_OSH_[INTERNET_FREE_ACCESS] [in English]
|
| Abstract |
The relationship between global climate change and occupational safety and health has not been extensively characterized. This article develops a framework for identifying how climate change could affect the workplace, workers, occupational morbidity, mortality and injury, based on a review of the published scientific literature from 1988-2008 that includes climatic effects, their interaction with occupational hazards, and their manifestation in the working population. Seven categories of climate-related hazards are identified: increased ambient temperature; air pollution; ultraviolet exposure; extreme weather; vector-borne diseases and expanded habitats; industrial transitions and emerging industries; changes in the built environment. This review indicates that while climate change may result in increasing the prevalence, distribution, and severity of known occupational hazards, there is no evidence of unique or previously unknown hazards. However, such a possibility should not be excluded, since there is potential for interactions of known hazards and new conditions, possibly leading to new hazards and risks. |
| Descriptors (primary) |
climate, natural phenomena; conditions of work; occupational diseases; occupational accidents; risk factors |
| Descriptors (secondary) |
ultraviolet radiation; air temperature; outdoor work; infectious diseases; literature survey |
| Document type |
D - Periodical articles |
| Subject(s) |
Heating, ventilation and climate
|
| Broad subject area(s) |
General safety, health and conditions of work
|
| Browse category(ies) |
Heat and cold
Viral diseases (other than aids)
Bacterial and parasitic diseases
Non-ionizing radiation
|
