Occupational safety and health, green chemistry, and sustainability: a review of areas of convergence

Abstract

With increasing numbers and quantities of chemicals in commerce and use, scientific attention continues to focus on the environmental and public health consequences of chemical production processes and exposures. Concerns about environmental stewardship have been gaining broader traction through emphases on sustainability and “green chemistry” principles. Occupational safety and health has not been fully promoted as a component of environmental sustainability. However, there is a natural convergence of green chemistry/sustainability and occupational safety and health efforts. Addressing both together can have a synergistic effect. Failure to promote this convergence could lead to increasing worker hazards and lack of support for sustainability efforts. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has made a concerted effort involving multiple stakeholders to anticipate and identify potential hazards associated with sustainable practices and green jobs for workers. Examples of potential hazards are presented in case studies with suggested solutions such as implementing the hierarchy of controls and prevention through design principles in green chemistry and green building practices. Practical considerations and strategies for green chemistry, and environmental stewardship could benefit from the incorporation of occupational safety and health concepts which in turn protect affected workers.

Alarms about structural alerts

“…, safer alternatives 1,2 while avoiding animal testing of every chemical, which is also both financially and experimentally unsustainable. 3 In addition, animal models have received much criticism as being unethical, exorbitantly expensive, and unreliable for extrapolating results and findings to humans.…”

Green Jobs: Definition and Method of Appraisal of Chemical and Biological Risks

“…While it is true that a green economy may lead to the transformation of existing jobs, this can also be accompanied with a gradient of chemical and biological risks, with higher risks at the bottom of the occupational ladder. As rightly pointed out by Schulte et al (2013), the occupational safety and health culture still need to be promoted in green sectors. As mentioned in the Methods section, we used data from the 2006 Canadian Census to list economic sectors and occupations in which Quebec workers were employed.…”

Green Collar Workers

“…While these jobs seek to increase conservation and sustainability, the workers themselves are not free from harmful occupational exposures (13). As has been said previously, “When environmental concerns predominate, there is the possibility that risk can be transferred to workers” (14).…”

“…As has been said previously, “When environmental concerns predominate, there is the possibility that risk can be transferred to workers” (14). In addition to traditional occupational hazards, this new US workforce segment faces unique exposures and job requirements that may put them at greater risk (13, 14). Green jobs may involve known safe tasks (if performed appropriately) that are used for a green purpose, whereas others may involve new techniques or materials for which training and safety control measures have not yet been fully developed.…”