Nigeria to mitigate impact of climate change in workplace

The Nigerian Government has called on all stakeholders to collaborate with it to stem the tide of the adverse impacts of climate change in the workplace.

Addressing stakeholders in Abuja Nigeria at a symposium to make the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2024, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Minister of Labour and Employment, Ismaila Abubakar in a message, said that the government is committed to addressing the challenges caused by climate change with stakeholders across all sectors to develop innovative solutions and strategies for the future.

He said the impact of climate change on the world of work can not be overemphasized but thoroughly securitized as the emerging Occupational Safety and Health issues in the world adding that “this underscores the urgent need to address the complex interplay between environment sustainability and workplace safety.

“It serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges we face and the imperative to develop proactive strategies to mitigate risks and protect workers in the face of global warming”.

The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, he said is fully committed to leading the charge in ensuring that the right things are done to protect workers in their places of work.

“We are actively engaged in formulating Policies and Guidelines that integrates climate resilience into Occupational Safety and Health practices. 

“It is through targeted intervention and Stakeholders’ engagement, that we aim to foster a preventative culture of safety that protects the rights and well-being of all workers. 

“The cardinal objectives of this symposium include: To identify, analyze and evaluate the impact of climate change in the workplace; To identify workplace intervention to the adverse effects of climate change to workers’ health and safety; To update information contained in the code of practice so as to align with transformational changes experienced in the world of work; To ensure the implementation of an effective and efficient work ethics by Workers in their various workplaces, so as to prevent work-related accidents, injuries, diseases and deaths caused by climate change; And to ensure that Employers do not neglect their responsibilities to the Worker, as well as create better working conditions in line with changing climatic trends”, the Permanent Secretary said.

Alhaji Abubakar also called on the participants to collectively reflect on the theme of this year’s celebration “The Impact of Climate Change on Workers’ Health and Safety”, and take necessary measures to address the situation.

“As we reflect on the theme of this year’s World Day for Safety and Health at Work, let us recommit ourselves to actions that would mitigate the effects of climate change on workers’ health and safety, and harness the power of collective responsibility to build resilient and sustainable workplaces that protect the health, safety, and well-being of every worker. 

“Let us lead the advocacy for the enactment of Laws that would mitigate the adverse impact of climate change, and empower workers with the right knowledge to adapt to emerging occupational safety and health issues such as technological advancement, climate change, demographic shifts and artificial intelligence”, he said.

According to an ILO newly published report, “Ensuring Safety and Health in a Changing Climate”, over 70% of the global workforce is likely to face occupational hazards linked to climate change, including excessive heat, dangerous UV radiation, and harmful air pollution.

The report estimates that more than 2.4 billion workers (out of a global workforce of 3.4 billion) are likely to be exposed to excessive heat at some point during their work.

Even with these figures, ILO Country Director, Dr Vanessa Phala in a message, said the impact of climate change on workers goes well beyond exposure to excessive heat, creating a cocktail of hazards, which result in a range of dangerous health conditions.

“It reveals that numerous health conditions in workers have been linked to climate change, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, kidney dysfunction and mental health conditions. 

“The impact includes: 1.6 billion workers exposed to UV radiation, with more than 18,960 work-related deaths annually from nonmelanoma skin cancer, 1.6 billion likely to be exposed to workplace air pollution, resulting in up to 860,000 work-related deaths among outdoor workers annually. 

“Over 870 million workers in agriculture, likely to be exposed to pesticides, with more than 300,000 deaths attributed to pesticide poisoning annually and 15,000 work-related deaths every year due to exposure to parasitic and vector-borne diseases”,Dr Phala said. 

According to her, these are not just statistics; they represent a clarion call to action for all, highlighting the pressing need to adapt approaches and strategies to protect the workforce.

“In Nigeria, as in other parts of the world, the effects of climate change complicate existing health risks, creating a complex landscape of workplace hazards that require innovative and adaptive responses”.  

She however commended Nigeria for her proactive measures in addressing safety and health issues in the work place.

The actions taken by Nigeria to mitigate the impact of climate change on the workforce she said include the ratification of ILO Convention 155 on OSH and Convention 187 which deals with the Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006.

She said that the ratification of the Conventions significantly demonstrated Nigeria’s commitment to the critical issues of safety and health adding that the actions are commendable and illustrate a strong resolve to prioritize the safety and health of Nigerian workers.

Welcoming guests to the event, the Director, Occupational Safety and Health Department, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Lauretta Adogu, said the day is a global event held annually to create awareness and sensitization on the need for safe and healthy working environment.

The impact of climate change has been isolated as one of the emerging occupational safety and health issues in the world.

A road show and  medical outreach were also organised to mark the day in Nigeria.

The United Nations set aside 28th day of April annually to mark the World Day of Safety and Health.

The Day aims to draw attention on issues of safety and health in the work place.