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WMO and WHO release new guidelines to protect workers from heat stress

The World Health Organization and the World Meteorological Organization have published a joint report and guidance highlighting the growing global health challenges posed by extreme heat on workers.

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the past ten years have consecutively been recorded as warmest, with 2024 as the latest warmest year on record [1].

 

Key findings from WHO/WMO report on heat stress

 

Increasing heat episodes directly affect vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, and low-income populations, as well as workers who are regularly exposed to dangerous heat conditions. According to a recent joint publication by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), approximately half the global population suffers adverse consequences of high temperatures [1]. 

 

Regarding the impact of high temperatures on workers, the International Labour Office (ILO) estimates that over 2.4 billion workers worldwide are exposed to heat stress globally, resulting in more than 22.85 million occupational injuries each year [2]. Manual workers in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and fisheries are the most exposed to health risks that include heatstroke, dehydration, kidney dysfunction, and neurological disorders, all of which hinder long-term health and economic security.

Findings from the WHO and WMO report indicate that worker productivity drops by 2–3% for every degree above 20 °C.

 

Recommended actions from WHO/WMO report on heat stress

 

To mitigate the increasing risks associated with excessive heat on working populations, the joint report provides guidelines for governments, employers, and health authorities. The recommended actions include:

  • Develop occupational heat-health policies with tailored plans and advisories that consider local weather patterns, specific jobs, and worker vulnerabilities
  • Focus on vulnerable populations with special attention given to middle-aged and older workers, individuals with chronic health conditions, and those with lower physical fitness who can be more susceptible to the effects of heat stress
  • Education and awareness raising for first responders, health professionals, employers, and workers to recognise and properly treat heat stress symptoms, which are often misdiagnosed
  • Engage all stakeholders from workers and trade unions to health experts and local authorities in the co-creation of heat-health strategies that are locally relevant and widely supported
  • Design solutions that are not only effective but also practical, affordable and environmentally sustainable, ensuring policies can be implemented at scale
  • Embrace innovation by adopting technologies that can help safeguard health while maintaining productivity
  • Support further research and evaluation to strengthen the effectiveness of occupational heat-health measures and ensure maximum protection for workers worldwide

 

The complete report is available on the WMO website.

 

 

Sources

[1] Climate change and workplace heat stress: technical report and guidance. Geneva: World Health Organization and World Meteorological Organization; 2025. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. https://library.wmo.int/idurl/4/69616

[2] International Labour Office (2024). Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour Office; 2024. https://www.ilo.org/publications/ensuring-safety-and-health-work-changing-climate