Page 46 - IOSH JanFeb24_Full LR

OSH AND
THE CLIMATE
THE PRACTICE CLIMATE CRISIS
CRISIS

Toohot

to handle?

We examine the dangers of working in extreme
temperatures and how to mitigate them.

WORDS CLAIRE MOULDS

arth experienced its hottest need to prioritise,’ says Dr Neelesh
three-month period on record Sogani CFIOSH, general manager for
last year (World Meteorological health, safety and environment at Zawawi
EOrganization, 2023). As the Powertech Engineering.
mercury soars, workers feel the cumulative And, for those struggling to get senior
effects of excessive heat as the body’s ability management to take the issue seriously, it’s

to regulate its temperature is compromised, worth noting that, by 2030, more than 2% of
potentially resulting in dehydration, heat total working hours worldwide are projected
cramps, heat exhaustion, heatstroke and to be lost each year – a productivity loss
hyperthermia (World Health Organization equivalent to 80 million full-time jobs
(WHO), 2018). – because it’s either too hot to work or
In addition, extremes of temperature because workers have to go at a slower pace.
can exacerbate existing conditions In southern Asia and western Africa, the
– including respiratory and cardiovascular resulting productivity loss may reach as high
diseases, diabetes and renal disease as 5% (International Labour Organization
– leading to significant excess mortality (ILO), 2019).

(WHO, 2018).
‘With global temperatures only
predicted to increase, heat is an issue
that OSH professionals increasingly

46 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 | IOSHMAGAZINE.COM

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