Who warns about the risk of strong heat in the workplace

Workers around the world need a better protection against strong heat, as climate change causes more frequent thermal waves – it is the conclusion of a new report of the World Health Organization and the World Meteorological Organization.

The report states that millions of workers are exposed to thermal stress, which affects their health and their productivity. He calls for governments, employers and workers to cooperate to develop adaptation strategies.

Although the WHO has warned many times about the risk of heavy heat, this is its first report since 1969 about thermal stress at work.

WHO Director, Climate and Health Rüdiger Krech says his conclusions should be calling for wakefulness.

“It’s not just discomfort. It’s a real health risk,” he said BBC. “If you work in the heat, and body temperature increases by a longer period, more than 38 ° C, then you run the risk of severe tension and stroke, renal failure, dehydration.”

Adaptation is necessary because thermal waves are no longer rare. The World Meteorological Organization states that the warmest temperature has been observed in the last decade, and in 2024 it was the hottest year.

In some parts of Europe, 40C (104F) temperature is not unusual. In Africa or the Middle East, they can rise to 50C. Medium surface temperatures in the Mediterranean in July were the warmest on the recording of 26.68C, reports Sunset. This week Office in the UK stated This summer was on the way to become one of the warmest since the records began in 1884.

Thermal waves are not just damaging health, but the WHO warns, they also affect the output. The new report shows that for each extent the temperature rises above 20C, the performance drops by 2%.

Meanwhile, accidents increase. During the heat wave of Europe in 2023, the National Accident Insurance Fund (SUVA) estimated that at a temperature of more than 30 ° C, the workplace accidents increased by 7%. The reasons, according to the Suva, included problems with the concentration when the workers’ bodies fought for adaptation to high heat and lack of sleep, again caused by heat.

Especially under the threat of construction and agricultural workers, some European countries are already considering how they can adapt to make work safer during thermal waves. Last month, the Italian government signed an emergency decree, after agreeing on the protocol with unions and chiefs to stop people to work in the hottest hours of the day.

In the Swiss cantons, Geneva and Tikin, construction was stopped during the 2023 heat wave, which welcomed the largest union of Switzerland, the Union.

“Often on construction sites they are already lagging behind the schedule, so they are really under pressure to continue to work,” said Nico Lutz Unia Swiss TV.

“That is why we need construction companies to take responsibility, and say that it is irresponsible, too hot to work above a certain temperature, and we all admit that work takes a little longer.”

The WHO report, although it looks specifically in the workplace, also warns that the elderly, chronically ill and young are at particular risk during heat waves. This means that schools as well as jobs have to adapt.

In Germany, schools can announce “Hitzefrei” when the temperature rises above a certain level. In the 1970s, 80s or 90s, it often meant that when the thermometer rose above 30C, the school bell twice rang and everyone could go home.

But it was when such temperatures were rare. Now 30C is becoming more common, and schools are so often reluctant to interrupt the lessons. Who Rudiger Krech understands why. “We saw during COVID that stopping school … Our school children are still suffering from it. Just thinking that a simple solution – we stop learning, it is very often the most expensive for children.”

When the schools returned to Switzerland last week, the temperature across the country was much more than 30 ° C. Teacher Teachers: Take the classes to the pool. But, according to Dagmar Realer, the head of the Swiss Association of Teachers, said the Swiss media: “We cannot do all our classes in the pool – we have the things we need to teach.”

Ms Realer, perhaps anticipating the call of the one who calls for adaptation, called for school buildings, many of which need to be repaired to include new ventilation systems and even air conditioning.

“I just want people to remember what our children can learn in comfortable conditions,” she said. “And what our teachers can work in moderate conditions.”

The WMO/WMO report states that adaptation should be done when agreeing with all, from governments, employers and workers, local councils, as well as health and education. Rüdiger Krech already has one proposal that can apply not only to school students in the UK, but also schools that affect cash with little money for repairs.

“The school uniform you have in the UK, they are adapted to thermal waves?

But one should not avoid being adapting jobs, schools or even hospitals to cope with high heat, investments will be required. Many governments, especially in Europe, have reoriented their defense costs, while adaptation to climate change has fallen down the priorities list.

Mr. Krech warns that it can be unreliable. “Just think, I don’t have the money for all these changes. Well, think twice. Because if you need to stop producing if you have workers with serious health effects with the expanded heat waves, then think about the loss of performance you have. Think, I don’t have the money, so I will be able to stay.”