A new report from the International Labour Organization (ILO), Heat at work: Implications for safety and health, warns that more workers are being exposed to heat stress worldwide. The new data reveals that regions previously unaccustomed to extreme heat will face increased risks, while workers in already hot climates will confront ever more dangerous conditions. 

Heat stress is an invisible and silent killer that can quickly cause illness, heatstroke or even death. Over time it can also lead to serious heart, lung and kidney problems for workers, the study underlines.

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Overall, the report indicates that workers in Africa, the Arab states and Asia and the Pacific are most often exposed to excessive heat. In these regions, 92.9 per cent, 83.6 per cent and 74.7 per cent of the workforce are affected, respectively. The figures are above the global average of 71 per cent, according to the most recent figures available (2020). 

The fastest changing working conditions are seen in Europe and Central Asia, says the report. From 2000 to 2020 the region recorded the largest increase in excessive heat exposure, with the proportion of workers affected rising by 17.3 per cent, almost double the global average increase.

Meanwhile, the Americas and Europe and Central Asia are witnessing the largest rise in workplace injuries from heat stress since the year 2000, with increases of 33.3 per cent and 16.4 per cent respectively. This is possibly due to hotter temperatures in regions where workers are unaccustomed to heat, the report notes.

The report estimates that 4,200 workers globally lost their lives to heatwaves in 2020. In total, 231 million workers were exposed to heatwaves in 2020, marking a 66 per increase from 2000. Nonetheless, the report stresses that nine out of ten workers globally were exposed to excessive heat outside of a heatwave and eight in ten occupational injuries from extreme heat happened outside of heatwaves. 

"As the world continues to grapple with rising temperatures, we must protect workers from heat stress year-round. Excessive heat is creating unprecedented challenges for workers worldwide year-round, and not only during periods of intense heatwaves, said ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo. 

Improved safety and health measures to prevent injuries from excessive heat in the workplace could save up to US$361 billion globally – in lost income and medical treatment expenses – as the heat stress crisis accelerates, affecting global regions differently, emphasizes the study. 

The ILO estimates show that low- and middle-income economies, in particular, are the most affected, as the costs of injuries from excessive heat in the workplace can reach around 1.5 per cent of national GDP.

“This is a human rights issues, a workers’ rights issue, and an economic issue, and middle-income economies are bearing the biggest brunt. We need year-round heat action plans and legislation to protect workers, and stronger global collaboration among experts to harmonize heat stress assessments and interventions at work,” added Houngbo.

The impact of heat on workers worldwide is fast becoming a global issue, and one that requires action.

“If there is one thing that unites our divided world, it’s that we’re all increasingly feeling the heat. Earth is becoming hotter and more dangerous for everyone, everywhere. We must rise to the challenge of rising temperatures – and step up protections for workers, grounded in human rights,” explained the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.

The ILO report looks at legislative measures in 21 countries worldwide to find common features that can guide the creation of effective workplace heat safety plans. It also describes the key concepts of a safety and health management system to protect workers from heat-related illnesses and injuries.

The findings build on a previous report, published in April this year, which indicated that climate change was creating a “cocktail” of serious health hazards for an estimated 2.4 billion workers who are exposed to excessive heat. The April report indicated that excessive heat alone causes 22.85 million occupational injuries and the loss of 18,970 lives each year.

To share and support workers, the policy of Labour Accident And Occupational Disease Insurance has been introduced with many practical benefits.

When participating in social insurance, workers are entitled to many support regimes in case of occupational accidents and diseases, including:

One-time benefits for workers who have a reduction in working capacity from 5% to 30%. The one-time benefit level is determined as follows: For a 5% reduction in working capacity, the worker is entitled to 5 times the base salary level, and then for every 1% reduction thereafter, an additional 0.5 times the base salary level is provided. In addition to this benefit level, the worker is also entitled to a benefit payment calculated based on the number of years they have contributed to the labour accident and occupational disease fund. For every year contributed that is less than or equal to 1 year, 0.5 months' worth of salary is provided. After that, for every additional year contributed, 0.3 months' worth of salary is added based on the salary level of the immediately preceding month in which the occupational accident or disease occurred. In the event that the worker has an occupational accident within the first month of participating in the fund or has a gap in their contributions and then returns to work, the salary of the corresponding month is used as the basis for determining this benefit payment.
Monthly benefits for workers who have a reduction in working capacity of 31% or more. The monthly benefit level is determined as follows: For a 31% reduction in working capacity, the worker is entitled to 30% of the base salary level, and then for every 1% reduction thereafter, an additional 2% of the base salary level is provided. In addition to this benefit level, the worker is also entitled to a benefit payment calculated based on the number of years they have contributed to the labour accident and occupational disease fund. For every year contributed that is less than or equal to 1 year, 0.5% of the base salary level is provided. After that, for every additional year contributed, 0.3% of the base salary level is added based on the salary level of the immediately preceding month in which the occupational accident or disease occurred. In the event that the worker has an occupational accident within the first month of participating in the fund or has a gap in their contributions and then returns to work, the salary of the corresponding month is used as the basis for determining this benefit payment.

The regulations on labour accident and occupational disease are flexible and comprehensive. Accordingly, workers who participate in the insurance are entitled to occupational accident regimes if they meet the following conditions:

Having an accident in one of the following cases: At the workplace and during working hours, including when performing necessary living needs at the workplace or during working hours as permitted by labor law and regulations of the production or business establishment, including break time, meal breaks, refreshment breaks, menstrual hygiene, bathing, breastfeeding, and going to the toilet; Outside the workplace or outside working hours when performing work at the request of the employer or the person authorized by the employer to directly manage labor; On the route from the place of residence to the workplace or from the workplace to the place of residence within a reasonable time and route; Having a reduction in working capacity of 5% or more due to an occupational accident.

Workers who participate in the  are entitled to labour accident and occupational disease regimes if they meet the following conditions: Having an occupational disease listed in the list of occupational diseases issued by the Minister of Health according to regulations; Having a reduction in working capacity of 5% or more due to the occupational disease. If a worker has retired or is no longer working in a profession or job at risk of occupational disease listed in the list of occupational diseases issued by the Minister of Health according to regulations and is found to have an occupational disease within the prescribed time frame, they are entitled to have their condition examined and considered for the relevant regime as prescribed by the government.

Currently, the Law on Occupational Safety and Hygiene and related guidelines have inherited and developed many new and superior contents compared to previous regulations under the Labor Code and Law on Social Insurance. Among them, the current regulations have added provisions for cases where workers have retired or are no longer working in professions or jobs at risk of occupational disease but are found to have an occupational disease, and they are still entitled to have their condition examined and considered for relevant regimes. Secondly, there is a unified adjustment of the level of recuperation and health recovery benefits for occupational accidents and diseases to be consistent with the regimes for sickness, maternity, and convalescence as prescribed by the Law on Social Insurance