Health - Working in excessive heat: Number of affected increasing
Climate Change makes work more difficult and dangerous for billions of people, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO). In Europe and Central Asia, the proportion of people exposed to excessive heat at work may be relatively low compared to other regions, but it has increased significantly more than in all other regions over the past 20 years, reports the ILO.
ILO: Millions of people with kidney problems due to heat
This refers to outdoor work, such as on farms or construction sites, but also to indoor work in factories or with protective gear like firefighting. According to the ILO, nearly 22.9 million people suffer heat-related incidents at work every year, and almost 19,000 die as a result. Some 26.2 million people live with chronic kidney problems due to dehydration at work. A heavy laborer needs to drink 0.85 liters of water per hour when the temperature is above 32 degrees Celsius.
In 2020, 29% of workers in Europe and Central Asia were exposed to excessive heat at some point. This region stretches from Portugal to Afghanistan and to the western border of China, according to ILO data. This is a 17.3% increase compared to 20 years ago. In all other regions, the proportion was already significantly higher in 2020 and had not increased as much.
The largest proportion is in Africa, where 90.2% of the population is exposed to excessive heat at work. This is followed by the Arab states with 83.6%. In total, some 2.4 billion people are confronted with such heat worldwide.
Water sprinklers and plenty of drinking water
The ILO recommends removing heat sources from buildings and designing factories to let in less heat, as well as shady trees, ventilation, or water sprinklers. Employers should promote fitness programs, as people with robust heart-circulatory systems can better cope with heat. They should provide many breaks and ensure adequate drinking water and toilets are available everywhere.
- Despite Central Asia having a lower proportion of workers exposed to excessive heat compared to Europe, the increase in this figure over the past 20 years has been significantly higher, as reported by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
- The International Labour Organization (ILO) highlights that nearly 22.9 million people experience heat-related incidents at work annually, with almost 19,000 deaths occurring as a direct result.
- The International Labour Organization (ILO) also notes that the number of individuals living with chronic kidney problems due to dehydration at work reaches approximately 26.2 million people.
- The International Labour Organization (ILO) advises various measures to combat excessive heat at work, including removing heat sources, designing factories to minimize heat intake, and providing ample drinking water and frequent breaks for workers.
- The International Labour Organization (ILO) stresses the importance of the fire department and other international organizations in collaborating to tackle the impacts of Climate Change on workplaces and workers' health worldwide.
