Climate change and its impact on working environment, focus of 13th ISST International Conference

Tunis: The 13th International Conference of the Tunisian Occupational Safety and Health Institute, (ISST), will be held in Tunis on June 26 and 27 under the theme "Climate change and its impact on the working environment: optimising occupational health and safety.' Emna Smaoui, Director of Training and Communication at the ISST, said the impact of climate change on workers' health and safety at work is a topic that has rarely been addressed, though several studies have confirmed that these changes are affecting the health of workers, particularly those in the construction and agricultural sectors. This entire working population is exposed to ultraviolet rays, extreme heat, extreme weather conditions, air pollution and other factors that are often the cause of cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and mental disorders," she explained in a video posted by the ISST. She also pointed out that climate change also has an impact on productivity. Emna Smaoui announced that the results of scientific rese arch on the impact of climate change on workers' health and on companies' production systems would be presented at the conference. A preventive approach for companies will also be presented. It will include the measures needed to prevent the impact of climate change on health and safety at work, taking into account the Tunisian context,' she said. The conference programme will include expert presentations and workshops on how companies can prepare for the effects of climate change on occupational health and safety, and on the development of a national plan to address the legislative and organisational aspects of dealing with the effects of climate change on occupational health and safety, and its integration into the national climate change management plan. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse