The new joint report, Climate change and thermal stress at workUnderlines the risks of assembly because climate change feeds, more extreme and more frequent.
Stressing that workers in agriculture, construction and peaches are already suffering from the impacts of dangerous temperatures, the report stresses that vulnerable groups in developing countries – including children, the elderly and low -income communities – are faced with increasing dangers.
“”Thermal stress already harms the health and livelihoods of billions of workers, especially in the most vulnerable communities“Said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, Deputy Managing Director for Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care.
“”This new management offers practical solutions based on evidence to protect livesReduce inequalities and build more resilient workforce in a world of warming, “he added.
Based on five decades of research, the report underlines how the increase in temperatures reaches health and productivity.
WMO confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year ever recorded, at 1.55 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures, and With diurnal vertices greater than 40 ° C becoming commonplace – and in certain regions, even exceeding 50 ° C.
“”Professional thermal stress has become a global societal challengewhich is no longer limited to countries located near Ecuador – as the recent heat wave in Europe points out, “said Ko Barrett, deputy secretary general of the WMO.” The protection of workers against extreme heat is Not just an imperative of health but an economic necessity. “”
Alarming results
The report details how extreme heat reshapes the world of work. He notes that workers’ productivity decreases from 2 to 3% for each degree greater than 20 ° C.
The consequences on health are large -scale, including heat strokes, dehydration, kidney dysfunctions and neurological disorders. Overall, almost half of the world’s population is now experiencing negative effects at high temperatures.
Way to go
Call on urgent professional heat action plans adapted to industries and regions, WHOs and OMM’s advice include several recommendations:
- Develop targeted professional thermal health policies depending on local weather and labor vulnerabilities.
- Prioritize protections for middle and older workers, people with chronic health problems and people with a lower physical form.
- Train health professionals, employers and workers to recognize and treat thermal stress, which is often poorly diagnosed.
- Involve workers, unions and local authorities to shape thermal health strategies.
- Promote affordable, sustainable and scalable solutions, alongside innovation and new technologies.
- Strengthen research and monitoring to ensure that measures remain effective.
Directives are based on the results of the International Labor Organization (ILO) which More than 2.4 billion workers are exposed to excessive heat worldwide, resulting in more than 22.85 million professional injuries each year.
“Critical step”
“This report represents an essential step in our collective response to the growing threat of extreme heat in the world of work,” said Joaquim Pintado Nunes, ILO head in terms of safety and professional health and health.
“Assistant to the ILO’s mandate to promote safe and healthy work environments as a fundamental right, it offers robust advice and based on evidence to help governments, employers and workers to face the growing risks of climate change.”
A call to action
The two United Nations agencies point out that the fight against thermal stress is at the heart of the safeguarding of lives, livelihoods and economies. Directives support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), urging decisive action to protect vulnerable workers, reduce poverty and promote sustainable growth.
Urgent and coordinated action is no longer optional – it is essential, indicates the report.
