Protecting workers in extreme weather events

For the first time in history, governments, employers and trade unions have reached international conclusions aimed at protecting all workers exposed to extreme weather events and the growing impacts of climate change. Integrating occupational safety and health into prevention and recovery policies, ensuring employment injury benefits and compensation, and establishing exposure thresholds and limits were among the key outcomes of the ILO meeting of experts on occupational safety and health in extreme weather events and changing weather patterns.

Across the world, workers are increasingly exposed to excessive heat, floods, droughts, cyclones, wildfires, sand and dust storms. The ILO estimates that more than 2.4 billion workers-over 70 % of the global workforce-are already exposed to excessive heat alone. The meeting conclusions recognize that long-term changes in temperatures and weather conditions can create cumulative and persistent health and safety risks for workers, particularly those working outdoors or in poorly protected indoor environments.

Governments are called upon to take concrete measures to strengthen national OSH policies by integrating weather-related risks into laws, strengthen labour inspection and provide universal access to social protection. Other effective measures include establishing evidence-based exposure thresholds, including occupational exposure limits, health surveillance systems, and coordinated action across public institutions such as public health authorities, meteorological services, environmental agencies, and disaster management bodies. Governments should also actively promote freedom of association and effective social dialogue, including collective bargaining at all levels, to build consensus around responses to extreme weather events.

At the workplace level, employers not only have the responsibility to provide a safe and healthy working environment, but in doing so also to assess risks and implement practical measures-from adapting work schedules and improving ventilation to ensuring access to water and rest areas, and providing protective equipment. Workers should be informed, trained, and actively involved in identifying hazards and shaping protective measures.

For workers in IUF sectors, such as agriculture, food processing, and hospitality, risks related to extreme weather are no longer exceptional events. They are becoming part of their daily working reality, in particular for those working outdoors. Earlier this year, the IUF published the IUF call to action on extreme heat, urging governments, employers, and affiliates to take action as extreme heat becomes an increasingly deadly workplace hazard. The IUF will continue to support its affiliates in the fight for better protection and safer workplaces for all workers.

The IUF will continue to support its affiliates in the fight for better protection and safer workplaces for all workers.