By KT Reporter
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have published a joint report highlighting the growing global health challenges posed by extreme heat for workers. As climate change drives more frequent and intense heatwaves, many workers regularly exposed to dangerous heat conditions are already feeling the impacts of rising temperatures, particularly manual workers in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and fisheries. Vulnerable populations in developing countries, such as children, older adults, and low-income populations, are also affected.
“Heat stress is already harming the health and livelihoods of billions of workers, especially in the most vulnerable communities,” said Dr. Jeremy Farrar, WHO Assistant Director-General, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care. “This new guidance offers practical, evidence-based solutions to protect lives, reduce inequality, and build more resilient workforces in a warming world.”
The new report, Climate Change and Workplace Heat Stress, draws on five decades of research, highlighting that rising temperatures severely impact the health and productivity of workers. WMO reports that 2024 was the hottest year on record. Daytime temperatures above 40°C and even 50°C are becoming increasingly common, underscoring the urgent need to address the worsening impact of heat stress.
“Occupational heat stress has become a global societal challenge, which is no longer confined to countries located close to equator – as highlighted by the recent heatwave in Europe,” said WMO Deputy Secretary-General Ko Barrett. “Protection of workers from extreme heat is not just a health imperative but an economic necessity.”
Experts note that extreme heat events are rising sharply, increasing risks for both outdoor and indoor workers. Worker productivity drops by 2 to 3% for every degree above 20°C. Health risks include heatstroke, dehydration, kidney dysfunction, and neurological disorders, which hinder long-term health and economic security. Approximately half the global population suffers adverse consequences from high temperatures.
The report calls for implementing occupational heat action plans tailored to specific industries and regions, developed in collaboration with employers, workers, unions, and public health experts. It recommends developing occupational heat-health policies with tailored plans and advisories considering local weather patterns, specific jobs, and worker vulnerabilities.
Special attention should be given to middle-aged and older workers, individuals with chronic health conditions, and those with lower physical fitness who are more susceptible to heat stress. Education and awareness-raising for first responders, health professionals, employers, and workers are also encouraged to recognize and properly treat heat stress symptoms.
The guidance complements International Labour Organization (ILO) reports, which highlight that more than 2.4 billion workers are exposed to excessive heat globally, resulting in more than 22.85 million occupational injuries each year. “This report represents a critical milestone in our collective response to the growing threat of extreme heat in the world of work,” said Joaquim Pintado Nunes, ILO’s Chief of Occupational Safety and Health and the Working Environment.
“Aligned with the ILO’s mandate to promote safe and healthy working environments as a fundamental right, it offers robust, evidence-based guidance to help governments, employers and workers confront the escalating risks of climate change. Together with WHO and WMO, we call for urgent, coordinated action to safeguard the health, safety and dignity of the more than 2.4 billion workers exposed to excessive heat worldwide.”
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