Watch over safety of employees exposed to heat, employers urged

PETALING JAYA: All parties have been urged to join hands in an effort to deal with risks stemming from global climate change.

National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) vice chairman Manivanan Gowin said based on a study by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the impact of climate change has led to about 70% of workers worldwide exposed to various hazards such as heat stroke, excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation, air pollution as well as vector and agrochemical borne diseases.

“The ILO estimates up to 860,000 work-related deaths have occurred among those who work outside the office every year due to health problems, and it is expected to increase due to climate change including cancer and cardiovascular diseases, respiratory problems, kidney failures and mental health related problems.

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“The ILO report also shows that climate change has impacted some 2.4 billion workers who were exposed to the hot weather and these represent more than 70% of the total 3.4 billion workers worldwide.

“In a report, the ILO has outlined several major impacts due to climate change, among them 1.6 billion workers who were exposed to UV rays, resulting in 18,960 deaths due to non-melanoma skin cancer each year.

“It also found 1.6 billion workers to be exposed to air pollution at work, causing up to 860,000 deaths among foreign workers every year.

“More than 870 million workers in agriculture are exposed to pest poisons with over 300,000 deaths expected each year.

“Some 15,000 work-related deaths each year due to exposure against vector-borne diseases and parasites,” he said in a statement in conjunction with the World Occupational Safety Health Day on Sunday (April 28).

He then called on all parties to jointly increase the level of safety, health and welfare of workers throughout the country.

“NIOSH is willing to provide employers and employees advisory and consultation services in addition to upgrading the OSH training programme that is organised throughout the country.

“NIOSH is also active in establishing collaborations with various external organisations and in the country, including government agencies as well as public and private higher education institutes to improve studies and services related to OSH.

“To date, NIOSH has signed 139 memorandum of understandings for that purpose,” he said in a statement.

He added that through such collaboration, NIOSH is able to increase the effectiveness of awareness programmes and training.