More than 2.4 billion workers or 70 per cent of the global workforce are exposed to climate change-related health hazards, according to a report by the International Labour Organization. The report, titled ‘Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate’ released on April 22, 2024, by the UN agency also estimates that 18,970 lives and 2.09 million disability-adjusted life years are lost annually to 22.87 million occupational injuries attributable to excessive heat. The report marks an increase of 34.7 per cent in exposure estimates in the 20-year period between 2000 and 2020.
According to the ILO report, thousands more die from pesticide poisoning, workplace air pollution, solar UV radiation and parasitic and vector-borne diseases, which is already having a severe impact on the safety and health of workers worldwide. The survey estimates that over 26.2 million individuals have chronic kidney disease linked to job heat stress, and 18,970 deaths are attributed to occupational accidents caused by extreme heat each year. Moreover, exposure to air pollution kills over 8,60,000 outdoor workers, while exposure to solar UV radiation causes over 19,000 deaths from non-melanoma skin cancer each year.
The report also showed that over 870 million workers in agriculture, likely to be exposed to pesticides, with more than 300,000 deaths attributed to pesticide poisoning annually. Moreover, 15,000 work-related deaths happen every year due to exposure to parasitic and vector-borne diseases.
Situation in India
Climate change is becoming a greater safety and health risk for workers globally particularly in India as average temperatures soar. According to National Crime Records Bureau data, more than 11,000 people died due to heat stroke in India between 2012 and 2022.
A study has shown that high intensity heatwave days for long durations can significantly increase the mortality rates in Indian cities. The study titled ‘Impact of heatwaves on all-cause mortality in India: A comprehensive multi-city study’ analysed 10 cities in India—Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Pune, Varanasi, Shimla and Kolkata—to assess how high intensity heatwaves that continues consecutively for a long duration can directly impact mortality in cities. The study conducted by several experts was published in the peer-reviewed Environmental International journal. According to the study, there is strong evidence of heatwave impacts on daily mortality. Longer and more intense heatwaves were linked to an increased mortality risk.
The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment has recently issued an advisory to all states and union territories to safeguard workers at factories, mines, construction sites from the heat wave citing the recently issued alert on upcoming heat wave in various parts of the country by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The Ministry has asked states/union territories to ensure availability of drinking water, rescheduling of working hours of the workers, and other suitable measures to protect the labourers from the scorching heat.
Time to Implement Global Protection Standards
As per the International Labour Organisation report, climate change threatens ecosystems and the 1.2 billion jobs globally that depend on them, such as farming, forestry and fishing.
Temperatures are predicted to be so high in 2024 that some experts are already predicting that last year’s record as the hottest ever will be broken. That’s reason to implement global protection standards that have so far “struggled to keep up with the evolving risks from climate change, resulting in worker mortality and morbidity,” the ILO said.
Manal Azzi of the ILO said that it’s clear that climate change is already creating significant additional health hazards for workers. Occupational safety and health considerations must become part of the climate-change responses – both policies and actions, she said, adding that working in safe and healthy environments is recognized as one of the ILO’s fundamental principles and rights at work.
Leave a Comment