Heat Stress Risks for Workers: UN Agencies Warn
- A new joint report, Climate change and workplace heat stress, underscores the mounting risks to workers as climate change fuels longer, more extreme, and more frequent heatwaves.
- Workers in agriculture, construction, and fisheries are already experiencing the detrimental effects of hazardous temperatures.The report emphasizes that vulnerable groups in developing countries - including children, older adults,...
- "Heat stress is already harming the health and livelihoods of billions of workers, especially in the moast vulnerable communities," saeid Dr.
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Workplace heat Stress Intensifies with Climate Change: New Report Highlights Growing Risks
The Rising Threat of Heat Stress
A new joint report, Climate change and workplace heat stress, underscores the mounting risks to workers as climate change fuels longer, more extreme, and more frequent heatwaves. The report, released on August 24, 2024, details the significant impacts of rising temperatures on worker health and productivity, particularly in vulnerable sectors and communities.
Workers in agriculture, construction, and fisheries are already experiencing the detrimental effects of hazardous temperatures.The report emphasizes that vulnerable groups in developing countries – including children, older adults, and low-income communities - are facing increasingly severe dangers.
Expert Commentary and Key Findings
“Heat stress is already harming the health and livelihoods of billions of workers, especially in the moast vulnerable communities,” saeid Dr. Jeremy Farrar, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and care. He added, “This new guidance offers practical, evidence-based solutions to protect lives, reduce inequality, and build more resilient workforces in a warming world.”
Drawing on five decades of research,the report highlights the dual impact of rising temperatures on both worker health and productivity. Increased heat exposure leads to heatstroke, dehydration, and othre health issues, while concurrently reducing the ability to perform physical labor effectively.
Record-Breaking Temperatures and Future Projections
WMO confirmed that 2024 was the hottest year on record, registering 1.55 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures. Daytime highs exceeding 40 °C are becoming increasingly common, and in some regions, are now the norm.
The report warns that without significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, these trends will continue to worsen. This will lead to more frequent and intense heatwaves, further increasing the risks to workers and communities worldwide.
| Year | Global Average Temperature Anomaly (°C above pre-industrial levels) |
|---|---|
| 2015-2024 (Average) | 1.18 |