Governments Scramble to Protect Workers from Heat Stress as Dangers of Climate Change Mount

Labor laws worldwide are racing to keep up with the rapidly increasing risks of heat-related illnesses and deaths in the workplace, driven by frequent and intense heat waves fueled by climate change. From southern Europe to Asia, governments are enacting measures to safeguard workers, but critics argue these laws are poorly enforced and often clash with the needs of gig workers who must work regardless of the temperature.

Key Takeaways:

An estimated 2.4 billion people are exposed to heat stress at work worldwide, according to a report by the World Health Organization and the World Meteorological Organization.
Heat-related illnesses among workers result in nearly 23 million occupational illnesses and 19,000 deaths annually, the report estimated.
As heat waves intensify, work stoppages are becoming the norm in regions like southern Europe, with local governments ordering outdoor work to stop in the afternoons to prevent worker heat stress.
In Japan, employers face fines of up to $3,400 or prison terms for failing to provide cooling measures to workers when the wet-bulb globe temperature reaches 28 degrees Celsius (82 Fahrenheit).
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States is finalizing national heat standards, while only seven states have heat-protection standards for workers.
Some Japanese companies are offering workers heat-safety accessories, including cooling vests and wristbands, but workers are resisting the extra gear, citing inconvenience and weight.
Heat stress poses a particular risk to older workers, with the median age in Japan exceeding 48, as they are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.

Statistics:

2.4 billion people worldwide are exposed to heat stress at work.
Nearly 23 million workers suffer from heat-related occupational illnesses annually.
19,000 workers die each year due to heat-related injuries and illnesses.
Assets in 70 large outdoor work sites in Singapore last year showed nearly one-third were not complying with the law requiring water and rest breaks when the temperature reaches 31 degrees Celsius.

Sources:

World Health Organization and the World Meteorological Organization, report on occupational heat strain
Allianz Research, analysis of heat waves' impact on economic growth
Spanish National Weather Service, red and orange heat alerts
Japanese government regulations on occupational heat risks
Singapore government's law on heat stress in work environments
Transient Workers Count Too advocacy group, survey of migrant workers
The New York Times