New Climate Change Handbook for Employers

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) has released a comprehensive handbook to help workplaces tackle the challenges increasingly posed by climate change. Climate change concerns have risen this year as Canada witnessed its worst wildfire season on record. Approximately 10.2 million hectares of land have been affected by wildfires in 2023, which is almost ten times the average of 1.4 million hectares per year (National Resources Canada).

While several resources already discuss climate change, few focus on its specific impact on occupational health and safety in the workplace. The CCOHS handbook—titled “Climate Change: Workplace Impacts”—is designed to fill this gap. The handbook offers guidance to employers, managers, supervisors, HR professionals and health and safety leaders to assist them in identifying, assessing, controlling and monitoring impactful climate-related risks.

The handbook also addresses the impact of climate change on workplace safety, including safety management concerning wildfires.

Employer Action

Employers must be proactive in preparedness efforts, as climate change can significantly impact both employers and employees. Exposure to extreme weather, air pollution concerns, disease-bearing vectors, loss of natural resources and job insecurity are a few of the significant adverse impacts workplaces could be exposed to. According to Anne Tennier, president and CEO of the CCOHS, “Climate change is an absolute imperative, and its impact on workplaces and personal lives is significant. We need to address these challenges proactively and be prepared for the new risks that emerge.”

The CCOHS handbook may be updated over time but is available now as a free resource for all employers and safety leaders.

Conclusion

As climate change concerns continue to grow globally, employers of all types and sizes should review their policies and programs relating to workplace hazards specific to climate change. Not only will this help ensure the health and safety of workers, but it will also bolster business resilience to climate events in the future.

To download the comprehensive handbook, visit the CCOHS website. 

For more information on risk management, or to find out how to reduce your insurance costs call CMB at 780.424.2727 or click here to get a quote.