Unions across Australia have called for stronger workplace protections as climate change continues to threaten health and safety in light of a newly released report.  

The report, launched by a delegation of union leaders and frontline workers including nurses, firefighters, and teachers, explored the severe safety risks already being felt on the ground. It also outlined critical reforms needed to respond to rising temperatures, worsening climate impacts, and toxic air pollution. 

Outdoor workers in sectors like agriculture, construction, and transport were noted as being particularly vulnerable, with workers in these fields facing increased risks of heat exhaustion, cardiac arrest, and other heat-related illnesses.  

Meanwhile, healthcare and emergency service workers were also noted as being under increasing pressure from more frequent natural disasters, longer hours, and greater exposure to harmful contaminants from fires and floods. 

Climate-driven bushfires and heatwaves were also noted to worsen air quality through increasing levels of ground-level ozone, nitrogen oxide, and particulate pollution. These factors are linked to cancer, stroke, and respiratory illness in both indoor and outdoor work environments. 

Currently, Australia lacks enforceable national standards for safe working temperatures, air quality, heat stress protocols, or co-developed emergency response plans. There are no binding climate adaptation measures in place to protect workers. 

In response to the report, Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) President Michele O’Neil indicated the need for national standards to be implemented. She also pointed to stronger standards that have been implemented overseas.  

“Countries like South Africa, Brazil, Qatar and Japan have strong laws to protect workers from extreme heat. Australia needs a much stricter regime to meet those international benchmarks,” O’Neil remarked. 

The report, released as part of the Renew Australia for All campaign, calls on the government to invest in proactive climate change protection across a range of vulnerable industries before the risks become unmanageable.