Report Urges Action on Increasing Heat Stress among Workers Worldwide

A new report published on Aug. 22 by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) focuses on evidence and guidance related to climate change and heat stress in the workplace. Worker health and productivity “are severely impacted by rising temperatures,” according to the report, which points to the past 10 years—2015 to 2024—as being the warmest on record. For example, WHO and WMO state that worker productivity decreases by two to three percent for every degree the wet-bulb globe temperature increases above 20 C, and that heat-related risks affect both the long-term health of workers and economic security. The report lists impaired kidney function, dehydration, and neurological dysfunction among the health risks associated with frequent work in hot conditions.

“Daytime temperatures of more than 40 C and even above 50 C are becoming increasingly common, a clear indication that immediate action is needed to address the worsening impact of heat stress on workers worldwide,” the organizations’ joint news release says.

The joint WHO-WMO report urges policymakers, public health officials, and employers to take action to mitigate the risks of extreme heat among workers. The organizations’ recommendations focus on developing occupational heat-health policies, increasing education and awareness regarding the recognition and treatment of heat stress symptoms, and engaging all stakeholders to ensure the relevance of and support for local occupational heat action programs. Additional areas that WHO and WMO recommend policymakers and others address include protecting vulnerable workers, such as those with chronic health conditions, and supporting future research on heat stress.

The full report is available from the WHO website.