Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

Statement of the Problem: The impacts of climate change (CC) on workers are often discussed in terms of the physical health effects that some workers may experience when exposed to hazards such as heat waves, zoonoses and extreme weather events (EWE). To date, the scientific community has focused very little on the psychological impacts of CC on workers. The presentation will focus on a research conducted in the province of Quebec (Canada), which aimed at providing an overview of the negative psychosocial impacts on workers of four EWE that will increase in the context of CC in Quebec (heat waves, floods, storms and forest fires) and identifying public health priority research topics.

Methodology: A review of the literature published between 2007 and 2017 was conducted. The findings of this review were presented during two workshops involving various experts and stakeholders. During the workshops, the participants were invited to validate the information retrieved from the literature review and to share their needs for knowledge. Research topics were determined based on the workshop’s discussions and priorities were established by means of consultation with public health experts.

Findings: The review identified that the studied EWE may cause psychological impacts on workers such as exhaustion, fatigue, stress and anxiety. These impacts can vary according to risk and protective factors and were mainly observed among front line workers (e.g. first responders, social workers) and farmers. Twentyone research priorities were identified during the workshops and the consultation with the public health experts resulted in identifying the acquisition of knowledge related to the impacts of floods on front-line workers as a priority research topic for Quebec.

Conclusion: This research is among the first studies on this emerging topic and our approach may be useful to help prioritize research activities in other countries. Adam Poupart A, Labreche F, Smargiassi A, Duguay P, Busque M A, Gagne C, Rintamak H, Kjellstrom T, Zayed J. Climate change and occupational health and safety in a temperate climate: Potential impacts and research priorities in Quebec, Canada Industrial health.

Biography

E-mail: ariane.adam-poupart@inspq.qc.ca