Rising Danger of Heat Stress in Workplaces
Heat stress is increasingly threatening the health and productivity of millions of workers globally, necessitating urgent action from policymakers, employers and workers.
As the implications of climate change become more apparent, heat stress is a perilous occupational hazard, affecting millions globally. Following the patterns set by earlier years, 2024 has already set records for high temperatures, reinforcing the urgency of this issue. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported January 2024 as the hottest on record, an ominous sign of the continuous rise in heat levels.
The Toll of Heat Stress
Heat stress—which encompasses conditions like heatstroke, exhaustion and cramps—poses significant threats to worker health and safety. It doesn’t discriminate, impacting workers across sectors like agriculture, construction and even those in service industries such as tourism and sports.
According to a recent report by the International Labor Organization (ILO), every year 22.85 million occupational injuries and nearly 19,000 work-related deaths are attributable to excessive heat. When workers’ core body temperatures exceed 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, there’s an impairment of physical and cognitive functions. At above 105.1 degrees, the risks escalate to organ damage and even death.
With over 2.41 billion workers (or 70 percent of the global workforce) exposed to excessive heat annually, it is a growing concern. Since 2000, this exposure has surged by 34.7 percent. It has been driven by rising temperatures and an expanding labor force with vulnerable populations—particularly in countries with high rates of working poverty and informal employment—suffering the most.
From acute kidney injury to cardiovascular disease, the effects are broad. Increased instances of mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety and even suicidal tendencies, have all been linked to chronic exposure.
Productivity and Heat Stress
A significant decline in global productivity is estimated to be partly attributed to the adverse effects of heat stress. The UNFCCC echoes the seriousness of heat stress as an outcome of climate change and its implications for labor and productivity.
The ILO’s Working on a Warmer Planet report projects that by 2030 2.2 percent of total working hours worldwide will be lost to high temperatures, amounting to productivity losses equivalent to 80 million full-time jobs, with an associated economic loss of about $2.4 billion.
Rising Danger of Heat Stress in Workplaces
Heat stress is increasingly threatening the health and productivity of millions of workers globally, necessitating urgent action from policymakers, employers and workers.
As the implications of climate change become more apparent, heat stress is a perilous occupational hazard, affecting millions globally. Following the patterns set by earlier years, 2024 has already set records for high temperatures, reinforcing the urgency of this issue. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported January 2024 as the hottest on record, an ominous sign of the continuous rise in heat levels.
The Toll of Heat Stress
Heat stress—which encompasses conditions like heatstroke, exhaustion and cramps—poses significant threats to worker health and safety. It doesn’t discriminate, impacting workers across sectors like agriculture, construction and even those in service industries such as tourism and sports.
According to a recent report by the International Labor Organization (ILO), every year 22.85 million occupational injuries and nearly 19,000 work-related deaths are attributable to excessive heat. When workers’ core body temperatures exceed 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, there’s an impairment of physical and cognitive functions. At above 105.1 degrees, the risks escalate to organ damage and even death.
With over 2.41 billion workers (or 70 percent of the global workforce) exposed to excessive heat annually, it is a growing concern. Since 2000, this exposure has surged by 34.7 percent. It has been driven by rising temperatures and an expanding labor force with vulnerable populations—particularly in countries with high rates of working poverty and informal employment—suffering the most.
From acute kidney injury to cardiovascular disease, the effects are broad. Increased instances of mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety and even suicidal tendencies, have all been linked to chronic exposure.
Productivity and Heat Stress
A significant decline in global productivity is estimated to be partly attributed to the adverse effects of heat stress. The UNFCCC echoes the seriousness of heat stress as an outcome of climate change and its implications for labor and productivity.
The ILO’s Working on a Warmer Planet report projects that by 2030 2.2 percent of total working hours worldwide will be lost to high temperatures, amounting to productivity losses equivalent to 80 million full-time jobs, with an associated economic loss of about $2.4 billion.
Heat Stress: A Growing Occupational Hazard
By Dr. Mike Goetsch | June 13, 2024
Heat stress is an escalating threat to the health and productivity of millions of workers worldwide, demanding immediate attention from policymakers, employers, and workers. As climate change intensifies, 2024 has already seen record-breaking temperatures, with January noted as the hottest month ever by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Heat stress includes conditions such as heatstroke, exhaustion, and cramps, affecting workers in diverse sectors like agriculture, construction, tourism, and sports. The International Labor Organization (ILO) reports that excessive heat causes 22.85 million occupational injuries and nearly 19,000 work-related deaths annually. Workers exposed to extreme temperatures risk severe health issues, including acute kidney injury, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders.
With 70% of the global workforce, or 2.41 billion workers, exposed to high heat annually, the issue is growing. This exposure has surged by 34.7% since 2000, significantly impacting vulnerable populations in countries with high rates of working poverty and informal employment.
Heat stress also affects global productivity. The ILO predicts that by 2030, 2.2% of total working hours will be lost to high temperatures, equating to the loss of 80 million full-time jobs and an economic loss of about $2.4 billion. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) warns that heat-related job losses will continue to rise if climate change is not addressed.