UN labor agency report warns of rising threat of excess heat, climate change on world’s workers

GENEVA — The UN labor organization warned on Monday that more than 70% of the world’s working population is likely to be exposed to excessive heat during their careers, citing increased concerns about sunlight exposure. It also warned of air pollution, pesticides and other dangers that could lead to health problems, including cancer.

In a new report, the International Labor Organization has suggested ways in which governments can improve their legislation and help deal with the increasing impacts of climate change on workers.

“It is clear that climate change is already posing significant additional health risks to workers,” said Manal Azzi, the organization’s occupational safety and health team leader. “It is essential that we heed these warnings.”

The ILO estimates that more than 2.4 billion workers – more than 70% of the global workforce – are likely to experience excessive heat as part of their work at some point, according to the latest available figures as of 2020. That’s an increase compared to more than 65%. in 2000.

The Geneva-based body cited the growing link between climate change and damage to human health, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory problems and mental health.

For example, it estimates that 1.6 billion workers are exposed to ultraviolet radiation as part of their jobs, citing nearly 19,000 deaths per year from non-melanoma skin cancer and conditions as diverse as sunburn, skin blisters and eye damage, cataracts and retina. problems such as macular degeneration.

The same number of workers – 1.6 billion – are exposed to workplace air pollution “resulting in up to 860,000 work-related deaths among outdoor workers annually,” the report said in a statement.

According to the report, some groups of workers are particularly vulnerable, such as firefighters in the United States battling wildfires, which experts say have become larger and more frequent due to climate change due to high heat and extremely dry conditions.

“Workers are often forgotten when we talk about climate change and the health consequences are very serious, from death to millions of sick people due to the dangers exacerbated by climate change, but also millions living with chronic diseases,” Aziz said .

Some countries have taken action by introducing legislation calling for regular monitoring of workers who are regularly exposed to heat, excessive sunlight, air pollution and other health risks while at work. In other cases, the ILO says collective bargaining agreements between workers and business leaders have helped limit risks.

UN agencies and environmentalists have increasingly sought to emphasize the link between climate change and human health. Planet Earth recorded record monthly temperatures in March for the tenth month in a row, according to the European Union’s climate agency.

The World Health Organization estimates that between 2030 and 2050, just a handful of climate-related threats, such as malaria and water insecurity, will claim a quarter of a million additional lives each year.