How to manage climate-related health and safety risks with PD ISO/PAS 45007:2026
The impacts of climate change are already being felt in workplaces across the globe.
From rising temperatures and extreme weather to water scarcity and pollution, the changing climate is reshaping occupational health and safety (OH&S) risks in ways that few organizations can afford to ignore.
According to a 2024 report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), 2.4 billion workers are already exposed to extreme heat. This is not only a human health issue but also an economic one, with productivity losses, supply chain disruptions, and increased accident risks becoming more common. At the same time, the very actions organizations take to adapt to or mitigate climate change - whether relocating operations, installing renewable energy infrastructure, or shifting to new technologies - can themselves create fresh OH&S risks.
To address this growing challenge, we have published PD ISO/PAS 45007:2026 Occupational health and safety management — OH&S risks arising from climate change and climate action — Guidelines for organizations. This Publicly Available Specification (PAS) provides practical guidance for organizations to systematically identify, assess, and manage OH&S risks and opportunities linked to climate change.
What is PD ISO/PAS 45007?
PD ISO/PAS 45007 is part of the BS EN ISO 45000 family of standards on occupational health and safety management. Where BS EN ISO 45001 sets out requirements for OH&S management systems, this new guidance focuses specifically on the unique challenges posed by climate change and the measures taken to address it.
It provides recommendations on:
OH&S risks from climate change itself, such as extreme heat, flooding, air pollution, and resource shortages.
OH&S risks from adaptation actions, including changes in work processes, relocation of sites, or upgrading infrastructure.
OH&S risks from mitigation actions, such as the introduction of renewable technologies, hydrogen storage, or other low-carbon initiatives.
Opportunities to improve workplace safety, resilience, and wellbeing through proactive climate-related measures.
Importantly, PD ISO/PAS 45007 is designed to be flexible and scalable. It can be applied by any organization, regardless of size, sector, or whether they already operate an OH&S management system.
New to health and safety management system standards? Read our article How to get started with an occupational health and safety management system.
Why managing health and safety climate risks matter now
Organizations worldwide are already grappling with climate-related OH&S issues:
Extreme heat: Workers in agriculture, construction, and manufacturing are increasingly exposed to hazardous temperatures, with serious risks of heat stress, dehydration, and even fatalities.
Flooding and storms: Disruption to workplaces, transport routes, and supply chains create not only economic losses but also heightened risks of injury and unsafe working conditions.
Air pollution: Rising pollution levels are linked to respiratory illnesses, affecting workforce health and productivity.
Green transitions: New technologies, such as solar farms, wind turbines, or hydrogen systems, introduce novel hazards that require careful OH&S risk management.
Failure to prepare can lead to lost productivity, increased insurance costs, reputational damage, and most importantly, harm to people. By adopting PD ISO/PAS 45007, organizations can proactively manage these risks, protecting both their workforce and their long-term resilience.
What are the key benefits of PD ISO/PAS 45007?
1. Protect your workforce The standard helps organizations identify new risks to health and safety and put in place preventive measures to reduce injury, illness, and fatalities linked to climate impacts.
2. Strengthen resilience and business continuity By addressing OH&S risks across both operations and supply chains, PD ISO/PAS 45007 supports more robust business continuity planning.
3. Enhance reputation and stakeholder trust Regulators, insurers, investors, and clients increasingly expect organizations to demonstrate responsible management of climate-related risks. Adoption of the standard signals leadership and accountability.
4. Align with global goals The guidance supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals 3 (Good Health & Wellbeing), 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), and 13 (Climate Action), reinforcing an organization’s ESG and sustainability commitments.
5. Unlock opportunities Proactive OH&S management in the context of climate change can lead to innovations in workplace safety, employee wellbeing, and operational efficiency.
Use cases: How can PD ISO/PAS 45007 be used?
Use case one: Construction sector
A construction company operating in regions with rising summer temperatures faces increased risks of heat stress among its workers. At the same time, it is introducing new low-carbon technologies such as solar panel installations.
By following the guidance in PD ISO/PAS 45007:
The company identifies extreme heat as a critical OH&S risk and implements measures such as adjusted working hours, hydration protocols, and shaded rest areas.
It assesses the hazards associated with solar installation work, introducing tailored training and new protective equipment.
It integrates these measures into its existing OH&S management system, reducing worker injuries and project delays while demonstrating compliance to regulators and insurers.
Use case two: Logistics and supply chain
A global logistics provider faces increasing flooding events that disrupt transport routes and expose drivers to unsafe conditions. The company is also building new hydrogen-powered fleets as part of its climate mitigation strategy.
By adopting PD ISO/PAS 45007:
The company evaluates flood risks across its network, introducing dynamic risk assessments, route planning tools, and driver training for extreme weather conditions.
It reviews the OH&S implications of hydrogen fuel use, implementing safety controls around refuelling stations and vehicle maintenance.
These measures strengthen continuity of service, reassure clients, and protect employee wellbeing.
Guidance on implementing PD ISO/PAS 45007
Implementing PD ISO/PAS 45007:2026 does not require organizations to start from scratch if they already have an existing health and safety management system in place. Instead, it builds on the familiar Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle used in BS EN ISO 45001 and other management system standards:
Plan
Identify climate-related hazards (both direct impacts and risks from adaptation/mitigation actions).
Assess who may be affected, from employees to contractors and supply chain partners.
Prioritize risks using a structured risk assessment framework.
Do
Implement controls and preventive measures (e.g., training, protective equipment, new processes).
Integrate climate-related OH&S considerations into wider business continuity and resilience strategies.
Check
Monitor performance using key indicators (e.g., incident rates, absenteeism, productivity impacts).
Conduct audits and inspections to ensure measures are effective.
Act
Review outcomes and update measures in response to new data, incidents, or changing climate conditions.
Communicate progress to stakeholders and engage employees in continuous improvement.
Measuring the impact of PD ISO/PAS 45007
Success in implementing PD ISO/PAS 45007 can be assessed through both quantitative and qualitative indicators:
Reduction in climate-related incidents (e.g., fewer cases of heat stress, flooding-related injuries, or equipment accidents linked to new technologies).
Lower absenteeism and improved workforce wellbeing due to safer and healthier workplaces.
Fewer supply chain disruptions linked to climate impacts, supporting stronger business continuity.
Positive stakeholder feedback from regulators, insurers, and investors recognizing proactive OH&S management.
Employee engagement and confidence, measured through surveys or feedback mechanisms, reflecting trust in workplace safety.
By adopting its guidance, organizations can protect their people, strengthen resilience, and demonstrate responsible leadership in a climate-impacted world. The message is clear: don’t wait for climate impacts to disrupt your business, act now to safeguard your workforce and your future.
Download your copy of PD ISO/PAS 45007:2026 today.
The Standards Show Podcast
Discover how PD ISO/PAS 45007 can help organizations tackle climate‑related OH&S risks in just 10 minutes. Hosts Matthew Chiles and Cindy Parokkil break down the top insights from this essential new guidance, covering emerging climate impacts, practical risk‑based approaches, and how the standard supports stronger worker protection and organizational resilience.