Monrovia, Liberia – Climate change changes weather patterns, posing serious global threats to workers’ safety and health, according to Marcus D. Washington, business manager for the Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRS).
The repercussions of climate change, according to him, include exposure to chemicals, heat stress, increased UV radiation, worsening air pollution, extreme weather events, industrial accidents, and vector-borne diseases.
Speaking on Monday, April 29, 2024, at the World Day for Safety & Health at Work 2024 celebration in Monrovia, Mr. Washington explained that World Safety Day, also called the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, is an annual global event that is celebrated on April 28th.
Under the theme, World Day for Safety and Health at Work, to explore the impacts of Climate Change on Occupational Safety and Health, he said the day aims to encourage governments, employers, employees, and stakeholders to collaborate and take action to reduce workplace accidents, injuries, and occupational diseases.
In addition to endangering the planet and human well-being, Mr. Washington pointed out that climate change increases the risk of working conditions. He also mentioned that workers are frequently the first to experience these changes, going through them more deeply and for longer periods of time than most.
He explained that this is because their employment may require them to operate with dangerous items that could be disrupted by climate change, expose them to decreasing air quality, or place them outside in inclement weather.
Consequently, he continued, climate change may increase occupational hazards and raise the possibility of accidents, diseases, and even fatalities.
He clarified that the hazards might include anything from physical harm brought on by severe weather to major health concerns including cancer, heart disease, breathing problems, visual impairment, and even mental health problems.
Mr. Washington did, however, emphasize how crucial workplace first aid training is to examining how climate change may affect occupational safety and health.
He claimed that having knowledge of workplace first aid training lowers health insurance premiums and medical expenses while also boosting output.
He says workers can recognize and reduce the possibility of emergencies or accidents at work, and when an accident does occur, they can administer proper first aid while they wait for help to arrive.
Mr. Washington bemoaned the fact that climate change is a major worldwide issue with implications for the workplace and urged cooperation to lessen its menace. This is the reason, he continued, that all parties involved, particularly the Ministry of Labor, need to establish, guarantee, and uphold first aid training compliance in each and every workplace in Liberia.
Assistant Minister for Labour Standards at the Ministry of Labor and keynote speaker Emmanuel Zoh noted that the day represented yet another significant advancement in the workplace.
According to Mr. Zoh, whenever stakeholders come together to celebrate moments that highlight preserving workers’ health, safety, and welfare, it expresses their aspiration to create a workplace community in which employees can leave their homes for work and return home safely, free from any risks associated with their jobs.
He praised the Liberia National Red Cross Society as well as all other development partners for realizing the importance of government and other stakeholder roles in safeguarding employees from fatalities and other risks related to occupational health.
He said that the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL), the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Health, and other agencies have been working nonstop to create a National Safety Plan. This plan aims to close the knowledge gap regarding safe working conditions and direct employees and employers toward a better working environment in Liberia.
He claimed that the International Labour Convention (C155) mandates the creation of a cogent national policy for occupational safety and health as well as the implementation of measures by governments and businesses to advance these issues.
Out of the 3.4 billion workers worldwide, he claimed 2.4 billion are likely to be exposed to extreme heat at some point in their careers. This fact applies to Liberia as well, since heat waves there continue to be unheard of.
Gregory Blamo, secretary general of the Liberia National Red Cross Society, clarified that safety regulations ought to apply everywhere at home, on the streets, and at work.
Mr. Blamo warned that a kind heart alone is not enough and asked everyone to be excited to learn first aid instead of merely hurrying to help an accident victim.
Good intentions alone are insufficient. Improper handling of individuals exacerbates an already dire situation. Most likely, you have to deal with the person in order to save their life. Thus, he declared, “the Red Cross will spearhead a campaign on safety awareness across every sector.”
The Liberia National Fire Service also urged workers to make sure that safety regulations are always followed, while cautioning entities to guarantee safety compliance and a healthy atmosphere for all workers.
