World Day for Safety and Health at Work: ILO on climate change

Workers, who are often among the most exposed to climate change hazards, frequently find themselves compelled to continue working even under dangerous conditions.

However, global occupational safety and health (OSH) protections have struggled to keep pace with the evolving risks posed by climate change, leading to increased rates of worker mortality and morbidity.

Released on World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the report looked at some key elements affecting workers. The event is commemorated on 28 April every year. 

Growing threat to workers

This ILO report aims to draw attention to the significant global health threat faced by workers by presenting critical evidence related to the impacts of climate change on OSH. Specifically, the report addresses key issues such as excessive heat, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, extreme weather events, workplace air pollution, vector-borne diseases, and the use of agrochemicals.

These findings highlight the urgent need for effective measures to address climate-related risks in the workplace and protect the safety and health of workers worldwide.

Earlier, the ILO had said that "climate change creates a ‘cocktail’ of serious health hazards for 70% of the world’s workers," estimating that more than 2.4 billion workers (out of a global workforce of 3.4 billion) are likely to be exposed to excessive heat at some point during their work, according to the most recent figures available (2020). When calculated as a share of the global workforce, the proportion has increased from 65.5% to 70.9% since 2000.

In addition, the report estimates that 18,970 lives and 2.09 million disability-adjusted life years are lost annually due to the 22.87 million occupational injuries, which are attributable to excessive heat. This is not to mention the 26.2 million people worldwide living with chronic kidney disease linked to workplace heat stress (2020 figures).