A new study, which is in the final stage of its completion, shows that climate change can cause a significant reduction in the productivity of employees in our country.

The study was prepared by Dr. Andreas D. Flouris and Dr. Leonidas G. Ioannou of the Fame Lab Environmental Physiology Laboratory (University of Thessaly) and is expected to be made public in the near future. As authors point out, their work focuses both on thermal stress of workers and on the economic impacts of global warming in various sectors of the Greek economy.

Work at high temperatures: ‘hidden’ risk for productivity

According to the study, which utilizes physiology data and numerous field measurements, the increasing temperature due to climate change significantly burdens the health of workers and has a negative effect on their potential to effectively perform their work. “The phenomenon of thermal stress is not just about heat. Employees in many sectors are charged daily even on days when extreme weather events are recorded, ”says Dr. Andreas Flouris, who is a professor of physiology at the University of Thessaly and a consultant to the World Health Organization. He continues, he points out that “Greece and the rest of Europe are heated faster than the world average.”

The study notes that the body temperature of an employee should not exceed 38 ° C for a long time. “If this threshold is exceeded, the risk of thermal exhaustion and heat stroke increases, while one’s mental ability and reflexes are reduced, with possible negative effects on safety and efficiency,” says Dr. Flouris.

Which branches are most affected

The study, using simulations based on real working conditions, analyzes 88 sectors of the Greek economy. The results highlight that the primary and secondary sector of Greece (eg agriculture, forestry, oil refining, constructions) are more frequently increasing a decrease in productivity due to thermal stress. However, the tertiary sector is not excluded, as activities such as focus, tourism and courier expose workers at dangerous levels of heat, especially when work is done outdoors.

“Data shows us that as the climate becomes warmer, reduced productivity can be intensified and extended to more sectors, especially where continuous physical activity or outdoor work is necessary,” notes Dr. Flouris, explaining that “the Simulations made for Athens, Thessaloniki and Larissa show that the thermal burden is increasing over time, with the phenomenon being more intense in Thessaly. “

Falling productivity and scenarios for the future

One of the important points in the new study is that it uses different scenarios to develop greenhouse gas emissions. The results indicate that if humanity takes sufficient measures, the number of sectors that will have a serious loss of productivity in Greece will be significantly reduced.

But if the measures needed to stop climate change, in the coming decades up to 44% of the Greek economy sectors, they may suffer moderate to very severe decline in productivity, especially in areas such as Thessaly. “This is a crucial message for the labor market and the Greek economy in general. Unless adequate adaptation and reduction measures are taken, the impacts can be particularly adverse in terms of competitiveness and viability, ”commented Dr. Flouris.

Need for effective mitigation strategies

Researchers suggest specific strategies to limit the effects of thermal stress on work, such as:

Evaluation of thermal stress by understanding more parameters (eg moisture, wind speed and solar radiation), instead of simple measuring ambient temperature.

Adoption of the thyme (liquid bulb and black pellet temperature) on the design of work policy.

Adopting measures to protect the health and productivity of workers, such as breaks, proper hydration and proper clothing, especially outdoors.

Informing employers, employees and the authorities responsible for the consequences of thermal stress.

“In climate change regime, Greece can pioneer in implementing scientifically documented measures to protect workers. By applying good practices on a permanent basis, we can enhance the health of the workforce and at the same time limit financial losses, ”says Dr. Flouris.

Inference

The Fame Lab study, points out at the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, Dr. Andreas D. Flouris, highlights how important the work is adapted to the warmer reality. Approaching the issue holistically, the authors point out that timely and well -designed action can shield the Greek economy from upcoming major productivity losses and ensure safer working conditions for thousands of workers.

However, it will all depend on how much they will be incorporated in time into the legislation but also in the consciousness of employers and workers, the mitigation measures of thermal stress, which have already been successful in many other countries. As Dr. Flouris summarizes: “The point is not to stop working because of the heat, but to learn to work in a sustainable and safe manner, taking into account the new climate data and cleverly utilizing the available resources.”