Addis Ababa, April 22, 2024 (FBC) – A new report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) reveals that over 70% of the global workforce, totaling more than 2.4 billion workers, are at risk of being exposed to health hazards related to climate change.
This represents a significant increase from 65.5% to 70.9% since 2000. The impact extends beyond excessive heat exposure, with workers facing a combination of hazards leading to various dangerous health conditions.
The report highlights the association between climate change and various health conditions in workers, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, kidney dysfunction, and mental health issues.
It further outlines the impact, including 1.6 billion workers exposed to UV radiation, leading to over 18,960 work-related deaths annually from nonmelanoma skin cancer, as well as 1.6 billion individuals likely to be exposed to workplace air pollution, contributing to up to 860,000 work-related deaths among outdoor workers each year.
Additionally, the report projects that 22.87 million occupational injuries, attributed to excessive heat, lead to the loss of 18,970 lives and 2.09 million disability-adjusted life years each year.
Furthermore, an estimated 26.2 million individuals worldwide were living with chronic kidney disease associated with workplace heat stress in 2020. Moreover, over 870 million agricultural workers are at risk of exposure to pesticides, resulting in more than 300,000 deaths attributed to pesticide poisoning annually, while approximately 15,000 work-related deaths occur each year due to exposure to parasitic and vector-borne diseases.
Manal Azzi, the OSH Team Lead at the ILO, emphasized the urgent need to integrate occupational safety and health considerations into climate change responses, encompassing both policies and actions. She stressed the importance of working in safe and healthy environments, which is recognized as a fundamental principle and right at work by the ILO.
The report also explores current country responses, including revising or establishing new legislation, regulations, and guidance, as well as efforts to enhance climate mitigation strategies, such as implementing energy efficiency measures, within working environments.