Climate-driven heat threatens 70% of workers worldwide, says ILO

More than 70% of the world’s workforce faces excessive heat heightened by human-induced climate change, according to recent estimates from the International Labor Organization (ILO).

Approximately 18,970 workers die each year, while nearly 22.85 million workers suffer occupational injuries due to excessive heat, says the UN’s labor agency.

Vulnerable groups such as agricultural, construction and emergency service workers are at heightened risk.

Without enhanced safety measures, including rights and protections for outdoor workers, fatalities and productivity losses are expected to surge.

In the US, Labor Department data suggests that extreme heat killed almost 1,000 workers between 1992–2021 and caused at least 33,890 work-related injuries and illnesses between 2011–2020.