ADDIS ABABA—The International Labour Organization (ILO) urged countries to incorporate occupational safety and health considerations into their climate change responses and improve climate mitigation strategies.
A new report by the ILO has revealed that over 70% of the global workforce is likely to be exposed to climate-change-related health hazards. In the new report, ILO has called nations to incorporate integrated workplace safety and health facets in their climate change responses both policies and actions.
The report also explored that currently nation’s responses, including revising or creating new legislation, regulations and guidance, and improving climate mitigation strategies such as energy efficiency measures in working environments.
“Working in safe and healthy environments is recognized as one of the ILO’s fundamental principles and rights at work. We must deliver on that commitment in relation to climate change, just as in every other aspect of work,” said Manal Azzi, OSH Team Lead at the ILO.
The report, ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate, states that over 2.4 billion workers are likely to be exposed to excessive heat at some point during their work, with the proportion increasing from 65.5% to 70.9% since 2000.
The report also estimated that 18,970 lives and 2.09 million disability-adjusted life years are lost annually due to 22.87 million occupational injuries, and 26.2 million people worldwide living with chronic kidney disease linked to workplace heat stress.
The report also highlights the impact of UV radiation, workplace air pollution, pesticides, and parasitic and vector-borne diseases on workers.
BY ESSEYE MENGISTE
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 24 APRIL 2024
