Background:

• Heat stress includes a series of conditions where the body is under stress from overheating. Heat-related illnesses include heat cramps, heat exhaustion, heat rash, or heat stroke, each with its own symptoms and treatments. 
• In recent periods, climate change and environmental degradation have significantly affected the safety and the health of workers worldwide.

Impacts of Heat Stress on Employment:

• Reduction in Working Hours: Heat stress can lead to a decrease in total working hours, as workers may need to take more breaks or reduce their working pace to avoid heat-related illnesses.
  • The ILO study (2019) estimated that “Heat stress is projected to reduce total working hours worldwide by 2.2 percent and global GDP by US$2,400 billion in 2030.
• Decrease in Productivity: High temperatures can impair both cognitive and physical capabilities, resulting in lower productivity. Workers may operate at a slower pace, and there is a higher likelihood of errors and accidents.
• Increased Risk of Fatalities and Injuries: Workers in sectors like agriculture and construction are particularly vulnerable to heat-related injuries and fatalities, which can lead to a loss of experienced workforce and additional costs for businesses.
• Job Losses: In some regions, particularly those heavily reliant on outdoor and manual labour, heat stress may result in job losses. 
• Economic Impact: Heat stress is projected to cause significant economic losses. For example, the global GDP loss due to heat stress is projected to reach $2,400 billion by 2030.
• Disproportionate Impact on Vulnerable Workers: Informal workers and those in precarious employment situations are more likely to continue working despite hazardous conditions due to financial constraints, increasing their risk of heat-related health issues.
• Regional Disparities: The impact of heat stress on employment varies significantly by region. Areas with hotter climates, such as southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, are expected to experience more substantial reductions in labour productivity and working hours.
• Gender Disparities: Women, especially those working in heat-exposed sectors like agriculture, may face specific health risks, including pregnancy-related complications, which can further limit their work capacity and employment opportunities.
• Impact on Subsistence and Small-Scale Farmers: Heat stress can reduce the productivity of farmers, affecting household food security and leading to economic hardship for those reliant on agricultural income.

Measures to overcome the impacts:

Immediate Measures:

• Adjusting Work Schedules: Implementing cooler work hours, such as early morning or late afternoon shifts, to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
• Providing Rest Breaks: Ensuring regular breaks in cool, shaded areas to help workers recover from heat exposure.
• Access to Hydration: Providing adequate drinking water to prevent dehydration among workers.
• Cooling Infrastructure: Investing in infrastructure that provides cooling, such as air-conditioned rest areas or shaded workspaces.
• Heatwave Alerts: Developing and implementing early warning systems to alert employers and workers about impending heatwaves or extreme temperature events, allowing for timely preventive actions.
• Health Checks: Regular monitoring of workers’ health, especially those working in high-heat environments.
• On-Site Medical Facilities: Providing access to medical facilities and first aid for immediate treatment of heat-related illnesses.
• Support for Vulnerable Workers: Providing financial assistance or social safety nets for workers who are unable to work due to heat stress, particularly in the informal sector.

Long term Measures:

• Worker Education: Informing workers about the risks of heat stress and teaching them how to recognize the symptoms of heat-related illnesses.
• Management Training: Training supervisors and managers to identify heat stress and implement appropriate safety measures.
• Strengthening Occupational Safety Standards: Implementing and enforcing regulations to protect workers from excessive heat, such as mandatory rest periods, hydration breaks, and access to medical care.
• Protective Legislation: Developing laws and policies that mandate protections for workers, particularly those in high-risk sectors like agriculture and construction.
• Improved Building Standards: For indoor workers, ensuring that workplaces are designed to mitigate heat exposure through proper ventilation and insulation.
• Insurance and Compensation: Ensuring that workers have access to health insurance and compensation for heat-related injuries or illnesses.
• National Guidelines and Action Plans: Developing comprehensive national action plans to address heat stress, including specific measures for vulnerable populations.
• Green Employment Opportunities: Encouraging the development of green jobs that are less exposed to heat stress, such as those in renewable energy, which also contribute to environmental sustainability.

Conclusion:

• Every year is becoming the hottest year on record in recent times. This scenario along with increasing heat wave incidents call for a sustainable action against heat stress.

.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/heat-stress-is-more-than-a-degree-of-concern/article68433789.ece#:~:text=Workers%2C%20who%20are%20particularly%20vulnerable,kidney%20injury%2C%20and%20physical%20injury.