Climate change harms the health of the world's workers 70%

More than 70 percent of the global workforce is exposed to serious health risks from climate change.

A recent report published by the International Labor Organization (ILO) has shed light on a worrying reality: more than 70 percent of the global workforce is exposed to serious health risks derived from climate change. This revelation raises a serious warning about the current ability of workplace health and safety (OSH) measures to address this growing threat.

The ILO report highlights the urgency of addressing the impacts of climate change in the workplace and the need to strengthen protection measures for workers. With the continued intensification of extreme weather events and the increasing frequency of events such as heat waves, wildfires, floods and storms, workers face increased vulnerability to risks such as exposure to high temperatures, air pollution, diseases transmitted by vectors and other climate-related hazards.

Failure to take appropriate action to address these risks could have devastating consequences for worker health and safety, as well as productivity and the broader economy. The report therefore calls for urgent measures to strengthen OSH policies and practices, as well as to promote adaptation and resilience in workplaces to the impacts of climate change.

This call to action highlights the need for a comprehensive approach that integrates climate change considerations into all areas of OSH management, from risk assessment to training and worker protection. Only through a globally coordinated effort will it be possible to ensure safe and healthy workplaces in a world affected by climate change.

Results of the investigation

1.6 billion workers exposed to UV radiation, with more than 18,960 work-related deaths annually from non-melanoma skin cancer.
1.6 billion people likely exposed to air pollution in the workplace, resulting in up to 860,000 annual work-related deaths among outdoor workers.
More than 870 million agricultural workers likely exposed to pesticides, with more than 300,000 deaths annually attributed to pesticide poisoning.
15,000 work-related deaths annually due to exposure to parasitic and vector-borne diseases.