2025气候变化与工作场所热应力报告_96页_1mb

Climate Change and Workplace Heat Stress: Technical Report Summary

Introduction

Climate change significantly increases workplace heat stress, leading to severe health impacts and productivity losses. This report updates guidance from 1969, incorporating new evidence on heat stress prevalence, mechanisms, and effective prevention strategies.

Key Findings

Heat Exposure and Health Impacts

• Increasing Impacts: Climate change raises workplace temperatures, increasing heat stress exposure for billions. By 2050, heat stress cases could rise dramatically.
• Health Outcomes: Heat stress causes mild (fatigue, syncope) to severe health issues (heat exhaustion, stroke, kidney disease) and contributes to chronic conditions like kidney failure and cardiovascular diseases.
• Vulnerable Groups: Older workers, those with health conditions, dehydration, and individuals without acclimatization are at higher risk.

Economic and Productivity Effects

• Heat stress reduces labor productivity by 2-5% per °C increase in Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), with productivity losses reaching up to 20% in extreme heat.
• High-impact industries include construction, agriculture, firefighting, and healthcare during COVID-19.

Workplace Heat Assessment and Monitoring

• Assessment methods include Wet-Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), Universal Thermal Climate Index (UTCI), and Predicted Heat Strain models to quantify heat stress and implement appropriate controls.

Recommendations

Prevention Strategies

• OHAPs (Occupational Heat Action Programs): Develop workplace-specific plans involving employers, workers, and authorities. Components include workplace cooling, job rotation, hydration, and emergency response planning.
• Controls: Use a hierarchy of controls—engineering (air conditioning, cooling garments), administrative (breaks, scheduling), and personal protective equipment.
• Hydration and Monitoring: Implement systematic hydration programs, monitor core body temperature, and train workers to recognize heat illness signs.

Climate Action and Future Directions

• National policies to mitigate climate change directly address root causes of workplace heat stress. Sustainable cooling technologies should be promoted.
• Public health systems need enhanced infrastructure for heat action plans, integrating workplace-specific interventions.

Conclusion

Workplace heat stress due to climate change presents a significant global health and economic challenge. Immediate, evidence-based interventions are essential to protect workers and ensure sustainable labor productivity. International collaboration and technological innovation are critical to mitigating these effects.