The Minister of Employment and Labour Relations and the MP for Sunyani West Constituency, Honourable Ignatius Baffour Awuah, The Chief Director, Mr Kizito Ballans, The Niimei and Naamei, Partner Agencies, Stakeholders, Service Providers, Safety Practitioners, friends from the Media, Ladies and Gentlemen all protocols duly observed.
I wish to welcome you all to this year’s World Day for Health and Safety at Work. I am honored to stand before you today as we gather to celebrate Health and Safety Day, a day of reflection, awareness, and action. The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Climate Change; Impact on Health and Safety.’ Climate change is not merely a distant threat; it is a present reality that is altering our world in profound ways and the signs of our changing climate are all around us. It is a reality that is knocking on the doors of our workplaces, demanding our attention and action.
I will just touch on a few of these risks. One of the most immediate challenges posed by climate change is the increase in extreme temperatures. As global temperatures rise, so too does the risk of heat stress and heat-related illnesses among workers, particularly those in industries where heat is a major requirement of the production process.
Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even heatstroke, posing serious health risks to workers and compromising their ability to perform their duties safely and effectively.
In addition to these acute risks, changes in temperature and precipitation patterns can adversely influence the spread of vector-borne diseases including malaria, skin diseases, etc, thereby increasing the risk of infection among workers. Extreme high temperatures can also have an advert effect on the workers reproductive systems causing possible cell deformation and reduced fertility.
Poor indoor air quality resulting from climate-related factors such as air pollution can aggravate respiratory conditions and pose long-term health risks to workers exposed to hazardous airborne contaminants. Increased indoor particulate matter and increased levels volatile organic compounds such as Benzene and Toluene, all have an adverse effect on the safety and health of workers. Workers also spend time on traffic, on average two hours each day thereby been exposed to smog, and carbon monoxide (which is a known carcinogen).
Regarding climate change and urbanization, urban areas presently account for more than 72% of energy-related global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), since the 1970s, climate change has been estimated to cause 150,000 deaths annually worldwide. In the face of these complicated challenges, it is necessary that we take proactive measures to address the threat of climate change on health and safety/wellbeing of our workers. This requires a coordinated and comprehensive approach that embraces mitigation, adaptation, and resilience safety protocols.
Mitigation efforts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions are essential for minimizing the impacts of climate change and protecting workers from the associated health and safety risks. This may involve implementing heat stress management programs such as engineering and administrative control measures, providing adequate training and appropriate personal protective equipment for workers, and developing emergency response plans to address climate-related disasters.
Furthermore, investing in a public safety education is essential for creating awareness about the risks of climate change on occupational health and safety and empowering workers and employers to take proactive measures to protect themselves and their workplaces.
In view of this, effective 2025 the Department of Factories expects all companies as part of their renewal requirements to submit evidence of their safety committee meetings. Directives on this will be sent through the various regional Directors to all companies. The Department is ready to assists companies to help them comply with this requirement.
In conclusion, the threat of climate change on occupational health and safety in our workplaces is a pressing issue that requires immediate attention and decisive action. As individuals, organizations, and societies, we must work together to address these challenges and create a safer, more resilient future for all workers.
I wish you all an enjoyable celebration. Thank you.
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