Workplace health and safety under climate stress in Sri Lankan apparel SMEs

TL;DR

This study explores how climate-related hazards like heat and flooding impact worker health and safety in Sri Lankan apparel manufacturing companies, and suggests measures to improve resilience.

Contribution

The study introduces a framework for climate-resilient workplace standards in apparel SMEs, combining empirical data with actionable policy recommendations.

Findings

81.25% of workers reported heat stress, with symptoms like headaches and dehydration linked to injuries.

Dengue incidence reached 10.68% over five years, linked to expanding vector habitats.

95% of workers experienced respiratory issues due to poor indoor air quality.

Abstract

Climate change poses escalating risks to labor-intensive industries in South Asia. This mixed‑methods study assessed how climate‑related hazards affect the health, safety and productivity of workers in Sri Lankan small‑ and medium‑scale apparel manufacturing companies (SMAMCs). A survey of 384 employees in Biyagama and Katunayake Export Processing Zones captured quantitative data on exposure to excessive heat, flooding, indoor air pollution and mosquito‑borne diseases, and elicited qualitative accounts of workplace experiences. Heat waves and high humidity were the most pervasive stressors: 81.25% (95% CI; 77.3 to 85.2) of respondents reported heat stress, with headaches, dehydration, and diminished concentration frequently linked to needle‑prick injuries. Flood events damaged infrastructure and heightened respiratory, gastrointestinal and dermatological illnesses, while inadequate ventilation compounded air‑quality problems; 95% (95% CI; 92.4 to 96.8) of workers complained of persistent coughing. Dengue incidence over the preceding five years reached 10.68% (95% CI; 8.0 to 14.2), reflecting expanding vector habitats. Chi‑square analysis confirmed statistically significant associations between each hazard and adverse health outcomes. The study underscores the need for integrated adaptation measures, improved ventilation, low‑cost cooling, drainage upgrades and systematic vector control, supported by enforceable regulations and targeted financial assistance. Enhancing climate resilience in SMAMCs is essential for safeguarding worker wellbeing and sustaining Sri Lanka’s export competitiveness, while contributing to global goals on decent work and climate action targets.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-026-26344-1.

Mandate climate-resilient workplace health and safety standards for heat, flooding, indoor air quality and vector risks in SMAMCs, with inspectorate enforcement and auditable compliance logs.Provide targeted grants and technical assistance so that resource constrained small and medium scale enterprises can retrofit ventilation, passive cooling and flood proofing without eroding competitiveness.Require real time monitoring of temperature, heat index and airborne particulates on production floors, alongside staggered shifts, task rotation and scheduled hydration and rest breaks to reduce dehydration, cognitive fatigue and respiratory illness.Integrate factory rules with public vector control and municipal environmental health services to curb dengue in export processing zones, reduce absenteeism and protect continuity of operations, thereby supporting Sustainable Development Goal 8 and Sustainable Development Goal 13.Embed worker participation and continuous training through toolbox talks, incident reporting and corrective action tracking to keep controls effective over time.Include climate risk assessment in factory licenses and annual audits, with heat and flood action plans, maintenance of drainage and sumps, and verified emergency egress testing.Prioritise low-cost engineering controls such as reflective roofing, shading, cross ventilation, local exhaust and raised electrical isolation above flood lines as primary measures, with personal protective equipment used only as residual protection.Establish performance indicators for heat illness, dehydration events, respiratory complaints and dengue related absence, and publish aggregated results to drive continuous improvement and benchmarking.

Mandate climate-resilient workplace health and safety standards for heat, flooding, indoor air quality and vector risks in SMAMCs, with inspectorate enforcement and auditable compliance logs.

Provide targeted grants and technical assistance so that resource constrained small and medium scale enterprises can retrofit ventilation, passive cooling and flood proofing without eroding competitiveness.

Require real time monitoring of temperature, heat index and airborne particulates on production floors, alongside staggered shifts, task rotation and scheduled hydration and rest breaks to reduce dehydration, cognitive fatigue and respiratory illness.

Integrate factory rules with public vector control and municipal environmental health services to curb dengue in export processing zones, reduce absenteeism and protect continuity of operations, thereby supporting Sustainable Development Goal 8 and Sustainable Development Goal 13.

Embed worker participation and continuous training through toolbox talks, incident reporting and corrective action tracking to keep controls effective over time.

Include climate risk assessment in factory licenses and annual audits, with heat and flood action plans, maintenance of drainage and sumps, and verified emergency egress testing.

Prioritise low-cost engineering controls such as reflective roofing, shading, cross ventilation, local exhaust and raised electrical isolation above flood lines as primary measures, with personal protective equipment used only as residual protection.

Establish performance indicators for heat illness, dehydration events, respiratory complaints and dengue related absence, and publish aggregated results to drive continuous improvement and benchmarking.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-026-26344-1.

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