Climate Change and Outdoor Workers: A Narrative Review

Asghari  M; Ghanadzadeh  MJ; Soltani Gerdfaramarzi  R

doi:10.18502/tkj.v17i1.18379

Asghari M Associate Professor, Department of Occupational Health and Safety Engineering, School of Public Health, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
Ghanadzadeh MJ Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran.
Soltani Gerdfaramarzi R Industrial Diseases Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/tkj.v17i1.18379

Keywords: Climate change, Heat stress, Vulnerability, Sensitivity, Exposure, Adaptive Capacity

Abstract

Introduction: Global warming and climate change have become one of the controversial topics that have a critical impact on human health and threaten human life. Workers, especially those working outdoors, are often the first ones exposed to the effects of climate change. The study aimed to analyze the impacts and dimensions of climate change on workers' health, investigate the factors contributing to workers' vulnerability to this phenomenon, and propose protective and control strategies.

Materials and Methods: This narrative review highlights findings from global studies on climate change and its consequences (heat stress) in occupational environments. The articles published between 2005 and 2023 were analyzed using Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases, focusing on keywords such as climate change, outdoor workers, vulnerability, and heat stress.

Results: The review of various articles showed that climate change affects work settings and employees through rising ambient temperature and elevated heat stress, greater exposure to ultraviolet radiation, increased air pollution, climate-related vector-borne diseases, and other related hazards. It also encompasses risks linked to industrial shifts and the rise of new green industries such as solar and wind energy production, mental health issues (including anxiety, stress, substance abuse) as well as reducing productivity and economic burden. To evaluate the vulnerability of workers' health to climate change, three key factors are taken into account: sensitivity (the level of physical and inherent vulnerability to climate change effects), exposure (the extent and intensity of climate change-relate interactions ), and adaptive capacity (the ability of the system to cope with and recover from the effects of climate change).

Conclusion: Climate change, as a global challenge, significantly impacts various professions, particularly those in outdoor environments. The foremost consequence of climate change is global warming and the rising levels of heat stress. These changes can give rise to various health problems, from minor issues like Skin rashes to severe conditions like heatstroke. Additionally, they can impede workers' productivity, leading to decreased physical and mental performance and an increased risk of accidents. Outdoor workers must adjust to these climate changes and adopt modern, sustainable approaches to tackle upcoming challenges.