This report reviews the implications of heat stress in working environments in agriculture (with a focus on farming and forestry), how it affects the human body, the risks it poses to human health, how it is measured, how it affects labour productivity, and how it can be managed. Managers often disregard heat stress as an occupational hazard, and workers therefore often have to handle this aspect of the work environment themselves. Heat stress has a negative effect on worker performance, and exposure to severe heat stress can be fatal; nevertheless, it can be greatly reduced with proper work organization and education.
Occupational exposure to heat can result in injuries, disease, reduced productivity, and death. To address this hazard, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has evaluated the scientific data on heat stress and hot environments and has updated the Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Exposure to Hot Environments [NIOSH 1986a]. This updated guidance includes information about physiological changes that result from heat stress, and relevant studies such as those on caffeine use, evidence to redefine heat stroke, and more. Related products: Weather & Climate collection is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/weather-climate Emergency Management & First Responders can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/emergency-management-first-responders Fire Management collection is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/fire-management
An authoritative volume focusing on multidisciplinary methods to estimate the impacts of climate-related extreme events to society As the intensity and frequency of extreme events related to climate change continue to increase, there is an urgent need for clear and cohesive analysis that integrates both climatological and socioeconomic impacts. Extreme Events and Climate Change provides a timely, multidisciplinary examination of the impacts of extreme weather under a warming climate. Offering wide-ranging coverage of the methods and analysis that relate changes in extreme events to their societal impacts, this volume helps readers understand and overcome the methodological challenges associated with extreme event analysis. Contributions from leading experts from across disciplines describe the theoretical requirements for analyzing the complex interactions between meteorological phenomena and the resulting outcomes, discuss new approaches for analyzing the impacts of extreme events on society, and illustrate how empirical and theoretical concepts merge to form a unified plan that enables informed decision making. Throughout the text, innovative frameworks allow readers to find solutions to the modeling and statistical challenges encountered when analyzing extreme events. Designed for researchers and policy makers alike, this important resource: Discusses topics central to understanding how extreme weather changes as the climate warms Provides coverage of analysis methods that relate changes in extreme events to their societal impacts Reviews significant theoretical and modeling advances in the physical aspects of climate science Presents a comprehensive view of state of the science, including new ways of using data from different sources Extreme Events and Climate Change: A Multidisciplinary Approach is an indispensable volume for students, researchers, scientists, and practitioners in fields such as hazard and risk analysis, climate change, atmospheric and ocean sciences, hydrology, geography, agricultural science, and environmental and space science.
Effect of High Temperature on Crop Productivity and Metabolism of Macro Molecules presents a comprehensive overview on the direct effect of temperatures defined as "high", a definition which increasingly includes a great number of geographic regions. As temperature impacts the number of base growth days, it is necessary to adapt plant selection, strategize planting times, and understand the expected impact of adaptive steps to ensure maximum plant health and crop yield. Global warming, climate change and change in environmental conditions have become common phrases in nearly every scientific seminar, symposium and meeting, thus these changes in climatic patterns constrain normal growth and reproduction cycles. This book reviews the effect of high temperature on agricultural crop production and the effect of high temperature stress on the metabolic aspects of macro molecules, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, secondary metabolites, and plant growth hormones. - Focuses on the effects of high temperature on agriculture and the metabolism of important macro-molecules - Discusses strategies for improving heat tolerance, thus educating plant and molecular breeders in their attempts to improve efficiencies and crop production - Provides information that can be applied today and in future research
Climate resilience, or the capacity of socio-ecological systems to adapt and upkeep their functions when facing physical-chemical stress, is a key feature of ecosystems and communities. As the risks and impacts of climate change become more intense and more visible, there is a need to foster a broader understanding of both the impacts of these disruptions to food, water, and energy supplies and to increase resilience at the national and local level. The Handbook of Climate Change Resilience comprises a diverse body of knowledge, united in the objective of building climate resilience in both the industralised and the developing world. This unique publication will assist scientists, decision-makers and community members to take action to make countries, regions and cities more resilient.
This second edition of Climate Change and Public Health comprehensively covers the health impacts of climate change, including heat-related and respiratory disorders, vectorborne and waterborne diseases, malnutrition, mental disorders, and violence. It provides a thorough understanding of the policymaking process and energy, transportation, and agriculture policies for mitigation. It covers health adaptation, sustainable built environments, and nature-based solutions to address climate change. Finally, it describes ways of strengthening public and political support, including communicating the health relevance of climate change, building movements, and promoting climate justice.
Machine Learning and Deep Learning for Smart Agriculture and Applications delves into the captivating realm of artificial intelligence and its pivotal role in transforming the landscape of modern agriculture. With a focus on precision agriculture, digital farming, and emerging concepts, this book illuminates the significance of sustainable food production and resource management in the face of evolving digital hardware and software technologies. Geospatial technology, robotics, the Internet of Things (IoT), and data analytics converge with machine learning and big data to unlock new possibilities in agricultural management. This book explores the synergy between these disciplines, offering cutting-edge insights into data-intensive processes within operational agricultural environments. From automated irrigation systems and agricultural drones for field analysis to crop monitoring and precision agriculture, the applications of machine learning are far-reaching. Animal identification and health monitoring also benefit from these advanced techniques. With practical case studies on vegetable and fruit leaf disease detection, drone-based agriculture, and the impact of pesticides on plants, this book provides a comprehensive understanding of the applications of machine learning and deep learning in smart agriculture. It also examines various modeling techniques employed in this field and showcases how artificial intelligence can revolutionize plant disease detection. This book serves as a comprehensive guide for researchers, practitioners, and students seeking to harness the power of AI in transforming the agricultural landscape.
Downstream log processing is poorly developed in Uganda, mainly dominated by many small-scale informal sawmills. Timber processing can be a hazardous occupation, with hazards from the use of machinery, handling heavy materials, working at heights and exposure to dust, noise and chemicals, potentially harmful events can happen at any time. Such occupational health risks are expected to be higher in developing countries than in the industrialized countries, mainly due to socioeconomic and political differences. Small-scale sawmillers are usually mainly focused on remaining profitable, and other considerations, such as safety, are not high priority. This report provides expert advice and technical assistance to support forestry officials, sawmill managers and supervisors to acquire skills and knowledge in downstream processing and utilization. It features elements such as hazard identification exercises for wood processing industries in Uganda and identifying hazard reduction measures in wood processing industries. The report focusses on the development of an occupational health and safety strategy for downstream processing in Uganda, with a specific focus on pine sawmilling, as per the focus of the SPGS programme.
The present working paper is primarily intended for producer organizations, trade unions, vocational training institutes, extensionists, instructors and relevant public bodies.The document addresses the forest as a work place, safety culture, workplace assessment, accident prevention and management, child labour, gender issues and selected health and safety issues. Reliable statistics on accident and fatality rates in forestry are missing, data available however indicates that forestry is a high-risk occupation. Workplace conditions in forestry are a function of site conditions, climate, weather, terrain and tree characteristics. The fundamentals of accident prevention are reduced hazard exposure and worker safety training. The first is achieved through risk assessments to identify hazards. Workers should be prepared for accidents at all times. Accident analysis is done to identify what occurred, the causes of the accident and how similar accidents might be avoided in future. Child labour is a human-rights issue and relevant to occupational safety and health. Reliable data on child labour in forestry is almost completely absent. Women in forestry can be exposed more often than men to musculoskeletal disorders, respiratory diseases and reproductive disorders due to chemical exposure. Women generally have a working capacity one-third lower than men. Heat stress occurs when the body is unable to dissipate heat to its surroundings. Heat stroke is the most serious health risk posed by heat stress. Risks and hazards associated with NWFPs derive from activities like climbing, cutting with sharp tools, digging and gathering, picking, and long and/or heavy manual transport.
Resource-based industries like agriculture, fishing, mining and forestry suffer higher incidences of work-related accidents and illnesses than other occupational sectors. This document provides guidance for a wide spectrum of forestry stakeholders. The guidance emphasizes forestry accident investigation leading to accident reporting and subsequent analysis of the accident summaries. Forestry accident and illnesses are discussed and worldwide comparisons are made. Accident reporting forms are examined and sample forms supplied. Examples of successful safety and health improvements from accident analysis are shown. Laws and regulations regarding worker safety and health are examined and various approaches discussed. A summary, outlook and recommendations lead to future improvements to forestry reporting and analysis. The bibliography and references rely heavily on accessible internet and electronic sources.
