The SA Medical Journal published a study in 2014 containing an ominous warning: “It is likely that increasing heat exposure in the workplace will be the most common and most predictable occupational health impact of climate change in SA.”Average temperatures are rising inexorably. In the 30 years to 2012, the Cape Town airport weather station recorded average February temperature increases ranging from 0.46°C to 0.61°C a decade.Most at risk are workers in lower-paid, physically demanding jobs in sectors such as manufacturing, construction and agriculture. It is a problem that has yet to receive the attention it demands.“We do not yet fully understand the extent of business disruption related to work-time loss and reduced productivity,” says Vanessa Otto-Mentz, Santam’s head of group strategy.An attempt has been made to quantify the economic impact of heat-related stress in the workplace in a 2015 study of 43 countries by Tord Kjellstrom, a director of the Health & Environment Intern...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.