Slightly more than half (53%) of respondents of the occupational safety and health panel estimated that climate change has affected the activities of their workplace to at least some extent, and about one in ten (8%) estimate the impact to be significant or extensive. The most frequently mentioned impacts were energy solutions, material and product choices, recycling, emission reduction, climate-friendly strategy and preparing for extreme weather conditions.

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What kind of climate change issues have emerged and how is climate change visible in your workplace?

412 answers
010203040Material and product choices (recyclability, ethics, etc.)Material and product choices (recyclability, ethics, etc.): 49 mentionsRecyclingRecycling: 47 mentionsHighlighted in the strategy or planning of operationsHighlighted in the strategy or planning of operations: 40 mentionsReducing emissions: electric and hybrid cars, charging points, etc.Reducing emissions: electric and hybrid cars, charging points, etc.: 40 mentionsExtreme weather phenomena, their effects and preparing for theseExtreme weather phenomena, their effects and preparing for these: 37 mentionsEnvironmental friendliness of energy usedEnvironmental friendliness of energy used: 35 mentionsEnergy savings, energy efficiencyEnergy savings, energy efficiency: 33 mentionsVisible in business activitiesVisible in business activities: 33 mentionsRemote workRemote work: 31 mentionsMinimizing and sorting wasteMinimizing and sorting waste: 28 mentionsMonitoring and reducing the carbon footprintMonitoring and reducing the carbon footprint: 23 mentionsUsing less paperUsing less paper: 17 mentionsDiscussing the topicDiscussing the topic: 14 mentionsReducing travelReducing travel: 13 mentionsMinimizing wasteMinimizing waste: 12 mentionsNumber of mentions

Excerpts from the answers:


  • Production takes this aspect into consideration by selecting energy-friendly components.
  • We have stepped up recycling over the past few years.
  • Transitioning transport to gas and/or electric powered vehicles by 2035.
  • A climate change target was added to the Group's strategy.
  • A few really hot summers… without air conditioning to cool down. Has brought challenges to coping at work.
  • We use an electricity company that generates electricity using wind power.
  • Campaigns for saving energy and water.
  • More energy-friendly solutions are preferred in design because improving buildings’ energy efficiency is also starting to be reflected in calls for tenders.
  • Remote work is possible for many, which reduces the need for unnecessary driving.
  • ...

Risk assessment is the most common tool for managing occupational safety risks related to climate change

Risk assessment is one of the tools workplaces have used for managing risks related to climate change. Occupational safety risks related to climate change are taken into account as part of normal risk assessment practice. Other measures include managing exposure to heat, preventing slipperiness and the provision of training and guidance.

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What kind of training and competence building would you like to see in the future for the assessment and management of occupational safety risks related to climate change?

118 answers
05101520Everything extensively, the topic is newEverything extensively, the topic is new: 24 mentionsBasic information, facts: training, information bulletins, webinarsBasic information, facts: training, information bulletins, webinars: 23 mentionsIdentifying and highlighting safety risksIdentifying and highlighting safety risks: 23 mentionsInformation regarding risks and measures specific to the industry/professionInformation regarding risks and measures specific to the industry/profession: 11 mentionsPractical examples and measuresPractical examples and measures: 10 mentionsMaterial to support developmentMaterial to support development: 10 mentionsBringing up the topic, discussionsBringing up the topic, discussions: 9 mentionsExtreme conditions, changes in the weather: effects, preparationExtreme conditions, changes in the weather: effects, preparation: 8 mentionsNumber of mentions

Excerpts from the answers:


  • Everything in general – we have not thought about climate change that much.
  • Appropriate knowledge-based training.
  • In connection with the assessment of hazards and risks.
  • As much general knowledge as possible, such as regarding specific characteristics of various sectors, and how to assess and predict them.
  • At least practical ways to save and recycle energy in the workplace.
  • VReady-made training packages or material to address the issue at the workplace.
  • I would like the topic to generally be discussed and kept visible more.
  • Physiological stress factors caused by extreme weather phenomena, their identification and means of reducing their impact.
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Workplaces need diverse and comprehensive information on the impacts and management of climate change from the perspective of occupational safety

Occupational safety and health personnel felt that climate change is a new issue in occupational safety and health, which is why comprehensive and diverse information is required: basic information, facts, information on identifying safety risks, as well as information specific to various sectors and professions. The respondents wish for easy-to-use webinars and information bulletins, practical examples and measures, as well as material for joint discussion in the workplace.

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What actions have been taken at your workplace to manage the occupational safety risks associated with climate change?

140 answers
0102030405060Risk assessmentRisk assessment: 61 mentionsReduction of heat exposureReduction of heat exposure: 36 mentionsTraining, induction training, instructionsTraining, induction training, instructions: 18 mentionsPrevention of slipperinessPrevention of slipperiness: 11 mentionsNumber of mentions

Excerpts from the answers:


  • Topics covered in the risk assessment includes temperatures, heatwaves, slipperiness, and considering measures and preventive methods.
  • Risk assessment has taken into account increase in the number of electric cars and the difficulty of putting out lithium battery fires.
  • During heatwaves, employees have been allowed to take breaks more often and they have been offered refreshments.
  • Better cooling and HVAC equipment has been procured.
  • For example, campaigning and training material regarding safe work movements and commuting.
  • Regular training sessions include it as one thematic element.
  • During winter, attention has been paid to the slipperiness of the yard and entrance area.
  • ...

Limited preparedness for occupational safety risks related to climate change

Monitoring of occupational safety risks related to climate change is limited, and mainly makes use of existing monitoring practices (such as risk assessments and monitoring of weather conditions) as well as general discussion and news reporting.

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How does your workplace monitor and prepare for occupational safety risks associated with climate change?

115 answers
01020304050No monitoring at allNo monitoring at all: 51 mentionsAs part of systematic and/or proactive monitoringAs part of systematic and/or proactive monitoring: 27 mentionsThe management or occupational safety and health personnel monitorsThe management or occupational safety and health personnel monitors: 12 mentionsMonitoring the news and public discourseMonitoring the news and public discourse: 12 mentionsMonitoring depends on individual people or situationsMonitoring depends on individual people or situations: 8 mentionsNumber of mentions

Excerpts from the answers:


  • In no way currently, or at least none that I am aware of.
  • Weather conditions have always affected our work and as such is part of the risk assessment.
  • We follow public discourse related to the topic.
  • The group’s sustainability working group steers policy and practical measures.
  • Not actively. Occasionally, if something makes the headlines or something occurs that brings up the topic.
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