Climate and occupational health are concepts that are not usually associated. However, when it comes to the working conditions of professionals in the wine industry, climate and occupational health are essential to better understanding and preventing climatic risks in the workplace. A look back at the CLISEVE© study: Climate and occupational health in the wine industry.
The CLISEVE© study: Why and how?
Croissance Bleue, in partnership with the applied anthropology laboratory Lapa Research, and the wine industry’s CSR professional organization, Vignerons Engagés, decided to look into the subject. The CLISEVE© study is an initial response to the difficult findings of the Labour and Employment Commission of the CESE (Conseil Économique, Social et Environnemental). This observation, drawn from the study “Travail et Climat: quelle prise en charge de l’impact du climat sur la santé au travail?”, was twofold: the impacts of climate change on health in the workplace are obvious but under-researched, and the prevention of climate risks in the workplace is insufficiently integrated into the industry.
The CLISEVE© study had three main objectives, as Caroline Véran, CEO of Croissance Bleue, explains. “Our three objectives are to raise awareness of the subject, to measure by producing reliable field data, and to adapt by proposing work organizations that prevent the impacts of climate on health”.
This study responds to a need expressed by wine industry professionals. In the summer of 2023, a number of winegrowers died as a result of the heat, which led to dehydration, exhaustion and dizziness. The professional organization Vignerons Engagés took action. Rémi Marlin, its president, explains: “We wanted a study that would enable us to better objectify and understand the impact of climate change on occupational health in the wine industry. This will enable us to identify concrete solutions for the 2024 harvest.
What are the results for the wine industry?
The impact of climate change is certain. Winegrowers are aware of the disruption of the seasons and the intensification of extreme weather conditions. The proof? The earliness of the harvest, which is the first observed marker of climate change. In fact, 88% of those surveyed noted that the grape harvest has come earlier than ten years ago.
Wine professionals are subject to extreme conditions, which give rise to risks noted by the industry. “The occupational health risks linked to global warming recognized by winegrowers are physical (78%) and mental (37.5%) “. So, to put it more simply, four out of five winegrowers have already experienced climate-related physical health problems.
These risks raise concerns about the viability of the industry. 43% of respondents could give up working in the wine industry within five years because of the difficulties associated with global warming. This figure reflects a lack of awareness of climate and occupational health risks, as well as a lack of solutions to date.
By defining a rigorous methodology for data collection, thanks to the Lapa Research laboratory, and for presenting the results, the CLISEVE© study is destined to be applied to other sectors. Above all, it represents the first step in analyzing the situation and the consequences of global warming on occupational health in the wine industry. A risk-prevention approach must be adopted, to reinforce the long-term viability and attractiveness of the sector.
Would you like to take action on the risks and impact of climate on health in the workplace ? Contact Croissance bleue to launch a field study and/or implement preventive actions.