Heatwaves are becoming more frequent and intense worldwide, posing significant health and safety risks for workers.
According to Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, Minister of Natural Resources Environmental Sustainability, 2024 is expected to be the hottest year in Malaysia since 1998.
Almost half the global population, including over one billion workers, is now exposed to high heat episodes.
International SOS, a leading health and security services company, reported an 86% increase in client calls for heat-related assistance from 2021 to 2022, followed by a further 25% increase in 2023.
Heatstroke, dehydration, and heat exhaustion are common dangers in extreme heat, leading to decreased productivity, increased accidents, and fatalities.
Annually, excessive heat causes 22.85 million occupational injuries and 18,970 work-related deaths.
By 2030, more than 2% of total working hours globally could be lost annually due to extreme heat, equivalent to 80 million full-time jobs.
This impact will be particularly severe in Southern Asia and Western Africa.
Certain occupations are especially at risk, particularly those involving physical effort or outdoor work. Industrial workers in poorly ventilated indoor settings also face risks. Even basic office tasks become challenging as heat strain causes mental fatigue and cognitive decline.
Dr. Katherine O’Reilly, Regional Medical Director at International SOS, emphasised the need for proactive measures. “The growing intensity and frequency of heatwaves pose a significant challenge for workforce health and safety. Occupational heat stress used to be primarily an outdoor concern, but with rising temperatures, even indoor workplaces without proper ventilation can become dangerous.
Organisations must go beyond basic heat stress prevention and integrate heat stress risk assessments into their health and safety policies. Furthermore, training employees to recognise early signs of heat illness is critical.”
International SOS recommends several measures for organisations to mitigate heat risks:
- Conduct heat-specific risk assessments: Regularly assess operations for potential heat stress hazards, identify high-risk locations, and consider vulnerable employee profiles.
- Integrate heat safety into health and safety policies: Ensure workers have access to shaded areas, hydration stations, and breathable workwear suitable for high temperatures.
- Provide heat stress awareness and prevention training: Educate employees on proper hydration practices, sun protection measures, and adjusting work pace during high temperatures.Develop robust heat response protocols: Establish procedures for responding to heat-related illnesses, including first aid and emergency evacuation, and ensure the workforce knows who to contact in a heat emergency.Continuously review and update response plans: Regularly update heat response plans to reflect the latest information and best practices for heat safety.
As heatwaves continue to rise, it is crucial for organisations to implement these guidelines to protect their workforce and maintain productivity.
