The World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have published a new joint report and guidance highlighting the growing global health challenges posed by extreme heat on workers
The new report and technical guidance, Climate change and workplace heat stress, draws on five decades of research and evidence, highlighting that the health and productivity of workers are severely impacted by rising extreme temperatures. WMO reports that 2024 was the hottest year on record.
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.
“Occupational heat stress has become a global societal challenge, which is no longer confined to countries located close to equator – as highlighted by the recent heatwave in Europe,” said WMO deputy secretary-general Ko Barrett. “Protection of workers from extreme heat is not just a health imperative but an economic necessity.”
The impacts of extreme heat on workers includes:
- Worker productivity drops by 2–3% for every degree above 20°C.
- Health risks include heatstroke, dehydration, kidney dysfunction, and neurological disorders, all of which hinder long-term health and economic security.
- Approximately half the global population suffers adverse consequences of high temperatures.
The frequency and intensity of extreme heat events have risen sharply, increasing risks for both outdoor and indoor workers- especially those in agriculture, construction and fisheries industries.
To tackle these challenges, the report calls for the implementation of occupational heat action plans, tailored to specific industries and regions, and developed in collaboration with employers, workers, unions, and public health experts.
The recommended actions include:
- Develop occupational heat-health policies with tailored plans and advisories that consider local weather patterns, specific jobs, and worker vulnerabilities;
- Focus on vulnerable populations with special attention given to middle-aged and older workers, individuals with chronic health conditions, and those with lower physical fitness who can be more susceptible to the effects of heat stress;
- Education and awareness raising for first responders, health professionals, employers, and workers to recognize and properly treat heat stress symptoms, which are often misdiagnosed;
- Engage all stakeholders from workers and trade unions to health experts and local authorities in the co-creation of heat-health strategies that are locally relevant and widely supported.
- Design solutions that are not only effective but also practical, affordable and environmentally sustainable, ensuring policies can be implemented at scale.
- Embrace innovation by adopting technologies that can help safeguard health while maintaining productivity.
- Support further research and evaluation to strengthen the effectiveness of occupational heat-health measures and ensure maximum protection for workers worldwide.
‘Evidence-based guidance’ to meet the impact of climate change on worker health
“Heat stress is already harming the health and livelihoods of billions of workers, especially in the most vulnerable communities,” said Dr Jeremy Farrar, WHO assistant director-general, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care. “This new guidance offers practical, evidence-based solutions to protect lives, reduce inequality, and build more resilient workforces in a warming world.”
The report and technical guidance by WHO and WMO complement the findings of the recent International Labour Organization (ILO) reports, which highlight that more than 2.4bn workers are exposed to excessive heat globally, resulting in more than 22.85m occupational injuries each year.
“This report represents a critical milestone in our collective response to the growing threat of extreme heat in the world of work,” said Joaquim Pintado Nunes, ILO’s chief of occupational safety and health and the working environment. “Aligned with the ILO’s mandate to promote safe and healthy working environments as a fundamental right, it offers robust, evidence-based guidance to help governments, employers and workers confront the escalating risks of climate change. Together with WHO and WMO, we call for urgent, coordinated action to safeguard the health, safety and dignity of the more than 2.4bn workers exposed to excessive heat worldwide.”
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