Climate Change and Seasonal Agriculture: Occupational Health and Safety Risks

Öz

This study evaluates the occupational health and safety (OHS) risks faced by seasonal agricultural workers under the impact of climate change. Climate-related factors such as increasing temperatures, irregular precipitation patterns, and intensified pesticide use are known to exacerbate existing occupational risks. In this study, major hazards identified through the literature were analyzed using the Fine-Kinney risk assessment method. Risk scores were calculated based on exposure, probability, and severity parameters, and risks were prioritized accordingly. The findings indicate that extreme heat, unsafe transportation, pesticide exposure, and lack of social security fall into the “very high risk” category. The results highlight that climate change is not only an environmental issue but also a critical occupational health and safety concern for seasonal agricultural workers. Therefore, comprehensive and preventive OHS strategies should be developed by policymakers and employers.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Climate Change
• Seasonal Agricultural Workers
• Occupational Health and Safety
• Fine-Kinney

İklim Değişikliği ve Mevsimlik Tarım: İş Sağlığı ve Güvenliği Riskleri

Öz

Bu çalışmada, iklim değişikliğinin mevsimlik tarım işçileri üzerindeki iş sağlığı ve güvenliği (İSG) riskleri değerlendirilmiştir. Artan sıcaklıklar, düzensiz yağış rejimleri ve pestisit kullanımındaki artış gibi iklim değişikliği kaynaklı faktörlerin, tarım işçilerinin maruz kaldığı riskleri artırdığı bilinmektedir. Çalışmada, literatürden elde edilen veriler doğrultusunda belirlenen başlıca tehlikeler Fine-Kinney risk değerlendirme yöntemi kullanılarak analiz edilmiştir. Maruziyet, olasılık ve sonuç şiddeti parametreleri dikkate alınarak risk skorları hesaplanmış ve önceliklendirme yapılmıştır. Bulgular, aşırı sıcaklık, güvensiz ulaşım, pestisit maruziyeti ve sosyal güvencesizlik gibi risklerin “çok yüksek risk” kategorisinde yer aldığını göstermektedir. Sonuç olarak, iklim değişikliğinin mevsimlik tarım işçileri üzerindeki etkilerinin sadece çevresel değil, aynı zamanda ciddi bir İSG sorunu olduğu ortaya konulmuştur. Bu kapsamda, politika yapıcılar ve işverenler için bütüncül ve önleyici İSG stratejilerinin geliştirilmesi önerilmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• İklim Değişikliği
• Mevsimlik Tarım İşçileri
• İş Sağlığı ve Güvenliği
• Fine-Kinney

Kaynakça

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