Climate Change Poses Health Hazards to Workers Worldwide, UN Warns
A large majority of workers worldwide are facing a cocktail of health hazards linked to climate change, the United Nations said on Monday, warning that existing regulations offered inadequate protection.
Farm workers and others who carry out heavy labor in hot climates may be exposed to a combination of hazards, including excessive heat, UV radiation, air pollution, vector-borne diseases, and agrochemicals. Those working in hot indoor environments or poorly ventilated spaces are also at risk.
In 2020, the last year for which statistics are available, 2.4 billion workers, or more than 70% of the global workforce, were estimated to be exposed to excessive heat at some point. This marks a clear increase over the past two decades.
Almost 23 million occupational injuries attributed to excessive heat are reported each year, costing, on estimate, 19,000 lives annually. Furthermore, the impact of global warming on workers goes well beyond heat exposure. The ILO noted that numerous dangerous health conditions in workers had been linked to climate change, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, kidney dysfunction, and mental health conditions.
The ILO said climate change hazards could require countries to re-evaluate existing legislation or create new laws to protect workers properly. The ILO will next year host an expert meeting to discuss the issue and come up with fresh policy recommendations.
