Report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns about the risks that the climate crisis generates for working people.
Tunja, April 28, 2024. (UACP). Climate change puts the health and safety of workers, especially informal workers, at risk. The impact is undeniable and growing. This was revealed in a recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The study notes that extreme weather events, such as heat waves, heavy rainfall, forest fires and droughts, are becoming more frequent and severe across the planet.
Martha Naranjo, director of Public Health Techniques of Boyacá, assured that it was necessary to take into account the climate changes that are affecting work environments.
“We call on all employers to ensure that their workers have insurance that can protect them from those risks to which they are exposed daily,” said the official.
Climate change not only represents a threat to the environment, but also to the health and safety of workers.
“It is time to take concrete measures to protect those who are on the front lines of exposure to these increasing risks. For example, excessive heat waves expose our farmers, construction workers, those who collect solid waste and even those who are dedicated to tourism,” said Naranjo.
Regarding ultraviolet radiation, it is necessary to take into account people who work outdoors, including construction masters, farmers, first responders, electrical company workers and gardeners, among others, who are at risk from sunburn. , skin blisters, acute eye injuries, weakened immune system, cataracts and skin cancer, among other diseases.
All workers are exposed to air pollution, particularly firefighters and those involved in transportation. They are at risk of suffering from cancer (lung), respiratory diseases and cardiovascular diseases, among others.
The report “Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate” presents six key effects of climate change on safety and health at work, including excessive heat, ultraviolet radiation, extreme weather events, air pollution in the workplace, vector-borne diseases and changes in the use of agrochemicals. Each of these effects has significant implications for the health of workers, from heat stress to serious diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
“The entire informal economy that we have, unfortunately, does not have insurance or protection elements to face climate change every day, which has led to an increase in different diseases that could be prevented if we all improve our environments and carry out promotional and prevention,” Naranjo pointed out.
From the Ministry of Health of Boyacá Grande, a call is made, in the week that emphasizes the importance of Safety and Health at Work, for the people of Boyacá to take additional measures to protect workers from the risks associated with climate change. . This includes strategies, training programs and awareness campaigns aimed at workers and employers. (End/ Lorena Quintana – Communications Secretary of Health of Boyacá).
Communications and Protocol Administrative Unit.
Boyacá Governorate.
