More than 70% of workers worldwide were exposed to excessive heat in 2020, with Europe and Central Asia experiencing the worst effects, the International Labour Organization (ILO) warned on Thursday.
An ILO report released Thursday shows that regions unaccustomed to extreme heat now face greater risks, while workers in already hot climates are subject to increasingly dangerous conditions.
Globally, more than 70% of workers were exposed to excessive heat in 2020, an increase of 8.8% compared to 2000.
Although this percentage remains low in Europe and Central Asia (29%), compared to Africa (92.9%), the Arab States (83.6%), Asia-Pacific (74.7%) and the Americas (70%), The climate in Europe has warmed at twice the rate of the global average since the 1980s.said the UN and the European Copernicus programme.
Furthermore, Europe and Central Asia recorded the largest increase in exposure to excessive heat at work between 2000 and 2020, with the proportion of affected workers increasing over this period by 17.3%, almost double the global average growth according to the ILO.
According to data from the organization, The largest increase in workplace accidents was recorded in the Americas and Europe/Central Asia regions. due to heat stress since 2000, with increases of 33.3% and 16.4%, respectively.
“This may be due to rising temperatures in regions where workers are not accustomed to the heat,” warned the ILO, considering heat stress an “invisible and silent killer that can quickly lead to illness, heat stroke or even death.”
In April, the ILO warned that climate change was creating a “cocktail” of serious health risks for some 2.4 billion workers exposed to excessive heat worldwide, causing 22.85 million workplace accidents and the loss of 18,970 lives each year.
“We need year-round heat action plans and legislation to protect workers,” argued Manal Azzi, leader of the ILO’s occupational health and safety team, in a press release.
According to the study, improving health and safety measures to prevent injuries caused by excessive heat in the workplace could save up to $361 billion (333 billion euros) worldwide in lost revenue and construction costs.
Source: Observadora
