Across Canada, climate change is no longer just a future concern; it’s affecting our day-to-day operations. Events like extreme heat, wildfire smoke, and flooding are becoming the norm. That’s why the new guidelines from the International Organization for Standardization, known as ISO/PAS 45007, focus on managing health and safety risks related to climate change.
As a Canadian representative on the technical group that developed this standard, I’ve witnessed the driving intent behind it. Now that it’s published, a pressing question arises: How do we weave climate-related risks into our existing workplace safety systems?
Many organizations already work within established frameworks like ISO 45001 or CSA Z1000. They routinely conduct hazard assessments, audits, and performance reviews. So, the challenge lies in integrating climate risks without inventing a separate program.
Here’s how organizations can do it seamlessly:
### Update Your Context
First, reconsider the core of your occupational health and safety system. Make sure you actively address climate-related hazards, including:
– Prolonged wildfire smoke exposure
– Extreme heat events
– Flood disruptions
– Severe winter conditions
Instead of developing an entirely new policy, simply update your existing OHS policy to include these climate risks. This enhanced acknowledgment meets requirements and aligns with existing hazard identification processes.
### Add a Vulnerability Column
Next, modify your risk assessments. Traditional assessments only focus on the hazards. You need to add how different worker groups might react to these hazards. This can be done by including a column for “vulnerability factors” in your templates. For instance, the same level of exposure to extreme heat could impact older workers or those wearing heavy gear differently.
### Retest Your Controls
Prior controls may not work as effectively under new climate realities. Evaluate whether your current systems, like HVAC or scheduling, can withstand increased temperature or smoke events. This can be as simple as ensuring that your cooling stations are adequate for extended heat waves.
### Refresh Training
Even the best systems fail without properly trained staff. Introduce climate-related topics in existing training sessions. Focus on recognizing symptoms like heat illness and knowing how to report unsafe conditions. Tailor your methods for diverse workforces to ensure everyone understands.
### Monitor Changes
Adaptations to address climate issues might introduce new hazards. If you’re expanding remote work or changing schedules, evaluate how those changes might affect employee wellbeing. Use your management of change process to guide these adaptations, ensuring thorough hazard assessments are completed before implementation.
### Measure What Matters
Finally, integrate climate impacts into your performance metrics. Assess heat-related health incidents or absenteeism during severe weather. Make climate considerations a regular topic in management meetings to keep everyone aligned.
### The Bigger Picture
Canadian workplace health systems are already robust. The real change needed is conceptual: recognizing how climate change shifts exposure and impacts. By weaving these considerations into your existing safety frameworks, organizations can enhance their resilience without increasing administrative burden.
In summary, it’s about making a conscious effort to incorporate climate realities into your established structure, ensuring a safer work environment for everyone.
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