The event brought together around 80 participants from 35 organizations in 23 countries to address the growing challenges posed by climate change to workplace safety and health, particularly in Africa. 

Participants discussed the direct impacts of climate change on workplaces, including heat waves, floods, storms and the spread of new diseases. The seminar also highlighted the mental health consequences for workers facing extreme weather events and the uncertainty associated with climate change.

Illustrative image (internet)

The need for urgent action

The seminar underscored the importance of prevention and occupational health promotion when addressing the impact of climate change. Participants shared good practices in risk prevention, workplace adaptation and worker training. They also called for increased mobilization of governments, employers, workers and social security organizations to develop ambitious public policies and appropriate tools to tackle these challenges.

The event marked an important step in raising awareness about the climate-related challenges for occupational safety and health, with recommendations on the need for urgent implementation and international cooperation to address this mounting challenge. The issue is also being addressed in international fora such as the G20. The ISSA will continue supporting its member organizations to build and share knowledge on these issues.

Senegalese Vision Zero strategy

Before the technical seminar, around 30 stakeholders gathered in Dakar for a workshop from 2 to 6 December aimed at developing a National Vision Zero Strategy for Senegal. This initiative between the Ministry of Labour, the social partners and the CSS of Senegal, in collaboration with the ISSA, seeks to establish a comprehensive strategy to sustainably implement labour legislation and the National Programme on Occupational Safety and Health.

The Vision Zero Strategy is understood to complement the existing national OSH Strategy and help the Tripartite partners to implement effective and efficient OSH measures to prevent occupational accidents and diseases. The workshop's outcome was a draft document formulated by the participants, emphasizing the proactive involvement of all stakeholders to ensure safer workplaces in Senegal. The final document will be signed in 2025.