As this is now the third installment of safety briefs submitted to you this month (yes, my desk was cluttered so I did some fall cleaning – so sue me!), I will not bore you with much of an introduction. Let’s pretty much get to it!
Climate Change = Health Effects?
Whether you believe in man-made climate change or not, we can all admit that when the climate does change (and it has several times over the history of our planet), there can be dramatic effects on our weather, crops and food, just to name a few.
But can the climate have an effect on our health as workers? Might the adjustments in climate make us actually more or less susceptible to diseases or injuries and force changes in our attendance records on the job?
A research report (which could be a “crystal ball” report) from the U.S. Global Change Research Program took a look-ahead view into potential health effects of climate change on various populations, including workers in certain economic sectors and those who are considered vulnerable (elderly, infirmed and very young).
What the report revealed is that those who are under heavy outdoor exposure already (such as commercial fishing, construction, transportation and agriculture), will likely see themselves facing even more hazards, and even some hazards that would be new and unprecedented.
It has been reported for several years that climate change will increase the number of hot days for outside work, and will increase the severity of droughts, storms, floods and wildfires. Each of these conditions, it is claimed, will not only increase the risk of illness or injury but may also adversely affect the workers’ ability to control their exposure to such climate changes. and we guess we are all supposed toknow what that means in terms of worker safety.
The full report can be seen at this link.
Bangladesh Fashioning Progress
You go to a department or clothing store to pick out that latest fashion skirt or dress or blouse or slacks or golf shirt. You check otu the price and then you look at the label to know wheat company made it, and you find out in what country that article was made.
What is one of the most common countries of origin for clothing in America? Bangladesh. Its ready-made garment (RMG) industry is vibrant and active as anywhere else in the world. However, it has struggled with proper safety protocols for workers in its various production warehouses. The challenge is being met, as the various worksites are making progress according to a recent intelligence report by the NFPA and the University of Maryland.
The report showed he results of various sie visits and stakeholder interviews conducted by NFPA officials, looking into the changes and improvements in safety protocols and establishing safety standards and inspection guidelines. The report stated that there has been much progress in the short term, but that the longer-term success of the initiatives implemented will rely mainly on how well the initiatives are adapted and accepted by all the various stakeholders. You can read more at this link.