Climate change, heat stress and psychosocial risks at work: Theoretical considerations and an assessment framework

Climate change has intensified the frequency and severity of heat waves, generating new challenges for occupational health that extend beyond physical consequences and include psychosocial risks at work. Heat functions not only as an environmental stressor that compromises physiological systems but also as a factor that interacts with organizational dynamics and individual vulnerabilities, shaping perceptions of overload, injustice, and insecurity.

This paper discusses heat stress as a psychosocial risk factor and emphasizes its implications for workers’ mental health and organizational well-being. A narrative review of the literature in occupational health, psychology, and climate sciences was conducted, and findings indicate that exposure to high temperatures contributes to increased fatigue, irritability, reduced concentration, interpersonal conflicts, and higher prevalence of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. To address these challenges, the article introduces the Heat-Psychosocial Risk Assessment Framework (H-PRAF), which integrates three levels of analysis: environmental indicators; organizational practices; and individual outcomes. This framework supports integrated risk classification and identification of vulnerable groups, particularly informal and outdoor workers who face limited protective measures and autonomy.

By framing heat stress as a psychosocial hazard, the article highlights the urgency of expanding occupational risk assessment to incorporate climate-related factors, contributing to preventive strategies, organizational policies, and public health measures that protect workers’ well-being in a warming world.