Working on a WARMER planet The impact of heat stress on labour productivity and decent work

Abstract

Boxes 3.1 Heat stress and vulnerable outdoor workers in the city of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe 37 4.1 Vulnerability to heat exposure among farm workers in North America 44 4.2 Heat stress, poor working conditions and health impacts among workers on Central American sugar cane plantations 45 5.1 Heat-related risks and occupational safety and health measures in the GCC countries 53 6.1 Occupational heat stress and brickmaking workers in India 59 6.2 The impact of outdoor occupational heat stress in the Islamic Republic of Iran 60 6.3 Extreme heat and migration in Pakistan 60 6.4 Low-income outdoor workers and heat stress risks in Da Nang, Viet Nam 61 6.5 The impact of climate change on the labour market in Thailand 62 7.1 Ambient temperature, heatwaves and occupational injuries in Europe and Central Asia 68 8.1 Heat stress as a driver of migration: Implications for policy action 78 8.2 Adapting to heat stress in the agricultural sector 81 7. Europe and Central Asia 65 7.1 Current and projected heat levels 65 7.2 Labour market trends 66 7.3 Subregional and national estimates 67 7.4 Conclusion and key findings 718. Employment and labour market policies Part I. Adapting to heat-related hazards through international labour standards and tripartism 73 8.1 The role of international labour standards 75 8.2 The role of governments 77 8.3 The role of employers 79 8.4 The role of workers 80 8.5 The role of social dialogue 82 9. Employment and labour market policies Part II. Complementary mitigation efforts to reduce heat-related hazards 83 9.1 Mitigation pathways and occupational heat stress 83 9.2 Long-term projections of the impact of heat stress 84 9.3 Employment opportunities resulting from mitigation efforts 86 Conclusion 87 Appendix I. Detailed methodology 89 Appendix II. Comparison of in-shade and in-sun estimates 93 Bibliography 97 Contents Contents Heat is an occupational safety and health hazard Excessive heat during work creates occupational health risks; it restricts a worker's physical functions and capabilities, work capacity and productivity. Temperatures above 24-26°C are associated with reduced labour productivity. At 33-34°C, a worker operating at moderate work intensity loses 50 per cent of his or her work capacity. Exposure to excessive heat levels can lead to heatstroke, sometimes even with a fatal outcome. Workers in all sectors are affected, but certain occupations are especially at risk because they involve more physical effort and/or take place outdoors. Such jobs are typically found in agriculture, environmental goods and services (natural resource management), construction, refuse collection, emergency repair work, transport, tourism and sports. Industrial workers in indoor settings are also at risk if temperature levels inside factories and workshops are not regulated properly. At high heat levels, performing even basic office and desk tasks becomes difficult as mental fatigue sets in. Heat stress is projected to reduce total working hours worldwide by 2.2 per cent and global GDP by US$2,400 billion in ...