Ram Dayal (45), a seasoned plumber, found himself battling the scorching heat of a summer day while repairing a burst pipe on a roadside in the national capital. Despite his experience, the relentless heat left him feeling lightheaded and fatigued, prompting him to prioritise his safety by taking breaks in the shade to avoid heat exhaustion.
Ram Dayal's case is reflection of the challenges faced by millions of workers worldwide, as highlighted in a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO). The report reveals that a staggering 2.4 billion workers, constituting 70% of the global workforce, are at heightened risk of heat exposure due to climate change. This alarming trend has sharply increased since 2000, with dire consequences such as heat-related illnesses claiming nearly 19,000 lives annually and causing chronic health issues for millions.
The hazards posed by climate change extend beyond heat exposure, impacting workers across various sectors. From agriculture and construction to fishing and transport, outdoor workers face elevated risks of heat-related illnesses like heatstroke. Moreover, indoor workers are not immune, facing risks from sources of heat or poor ventilation.
The report, ‘Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate’, describes a “cocktail of hazards,” including increased exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation, worsened air pollution, and heightened risks of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue fever. These factors contribute to a range of health problems, spanning from cancer and heart disease to respiratory ailments and mental health issues.
Manal Azzi, OSH Team Lead at the ILO, emphasized the urgent need for action, stressing that occupational safety and health considerations must be integral to the response to climate change. The report calls for a global effort to protect workers, advocating for revising safety regulations, implementing heat mitigation strategies in workplaces, and integrating worker health into climate change policies.
In light of World Day for Safety and Health at Work on 28 April, International SOS too has exhorted the organisations to reassess their occupational safety and health (OSH) programmes. Climate change is intensifying existing OSH challenges, and organisations must prioritise proactive solutions. This year’s theme, “Impacts of climate change on occupational safety and health,” highlights the urgency of this evolving threat.
Dr Olivier Lo, Global Medical Director, Occupational Health Services, at International SOS said that the “escalating threats of climate change necessitate a heightened focus on managing risk exposure and health incidents for the workforce. At International SOS, we saw an 80% increase in climate-related medical alerts throughout the majority of 2023 compared to 2022.”
Dr Vikram Vora, Medical Director – Indian Subcontinent from International SOS added “With Southeast Asia bearing the brunt of an unprecedented heat wave this year, it is essential for organisations to go beyond mere compliance and redesigning their workforce health and wellbeing programs to include the capability to respond to health threats posed by climate change. This includes mental and emotional wellbeing support, chronic disease management and preventive healthcare.”
