Whilst previous research describes how single aspects of climate change impacts workers in particular industries, this report encompasses a broader range of climate change impacts and their effects on workers across a range of industries. The results show the insidious and unexpected ways climate change is impacting people at work, predominantly those working in Victoria. The report makes the case that workers across all sectors must be supported to adapt to climate change as the impacts are evident and they will continue to worsen.

The report uses a worker-centric framing of climate change impacts, emphasising the wider spheres workers are a part of. These consist of the community or region they live in, families/households, and the sectors/organisations they work with. The climate change impacts workers experience flow through to affect organisations and the industries and organisations they are a part of. Similarly, the way supply chains, sectors and workplaces are affected by climate change impacts workers.

The report was undertaken with the assistance of six unions, based in Victoria representing diverse industries who distributed the report’s survey to members, resulting in 1,165 workers responding. The union’s who participated include:

• Australian Services Union
• Community and Public Sector Union
• Health and Community Services Union
• Hospo Voice
• Rail, Tram and Bus Union
• Retail and Fast Food Workers Union

The survey looked at perceptions of climate change, climate change impacts at work and experiences of climate impacts on physical and mental health.

The findings show that workers are concerned with the lack of action by industry and government and the ways climate change impacts their community, families and the environment. The report uncovers that workers are being affected in multiple and compounding ways from bodily stress, to poor working environments, disruptions to supply chains and uncomfortable houses. With 75% of respondents reporting some form of physical health issues and 48% of workers have experienced poor mental health due to climatic events.

The findings show that climate change impacts result from a collision between hazard exposure and vulnerabilities. As for those that work indoors, climate change impacts such as extreme heat were reported as causing high rates of fatigue and reduced productivity. Moreover, 20% of respondents that work outside experienced an increase in physical injuries due to climate conditions.

The survey demonstrates that workers want to see action including mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) and adaptation from government and industry. The report uses the evidence form the survey to inform the following recommendations to be implemented by government and workplaces:

• Rapidly implement strategic long-term climate change adaption planning and action at multiple scales including organisations, industries and workforces
• Adapt Occupational health and Safety standards and practices based on current and future climates
• Address work arrangements and conditions to improve outcomes for vulnerable groups
• Training programs for workers and management to increase understandings of the implications of climate change and the appropriate actions and responses
• Undertake research to build empirical base to increase adaptation understanding and options