Global Health Crisis: Workers’ Safety Ignored Amid Rising Risks
Every year, millions of people worldwide suffer from injuries and illnesses related to their jobs, with nearly 3 million fatalities resulting from workplace incidents. Climate change is further endangering workers’ health by exposing them to extreme heat and harmful smoke from wildfires. Despite this pressing issue, the World Health Organization (WHO) has not prioritized worker health in its agenda.
Leaders from national and international occupational health and safety organizations are urging the WHO to make workplace health a key focus. They hope that delegates at the World Health Assembly, which takes place in Geneva starting May 18, will advocate for stronger commitments to protecting worker health.
The Global Occupational Safety and Health (GOSH) coalition has expressed concerns that the WHO is sidelining occupational health, particularly as climate change and emerging health threats introduce new risks to workers. Emanuele Cauda, a member of GOSH and a professor at the University of Pittsburgh, emphasizes that ignoring worker safety could escalate into a significant public health crisis.
GOSH advocates are trying to ensure that investments in worker health keep pace with the increasing dangers posed by climate change, including the risks of heat-related illnesses. The growing demand for “critical minerals” for renewable energy has placed around 100 million workers at risk from hazardous chemicals. Additionally, the rise of engineered stone in construction has led to a dust that causes serious health problems, reminiscent of historic accidents from nearly a century ago.
In 1930, workers in West Virginia faced deadly conditions while constructing a hydroelectric power tunnel. Many fell victim to silicosis, a severe lung disease caused by fine silica dust. Despite knowing about preventive measures, protections were not provided, resulting in numerous fatalities. This tragic event led to legislation aimed at enhancing worker safety, but it took decades for effective regulations on silica exposure to be enforced.
Today, cases of silicosis are resurfacing, particularly among those working with engineered stone, with young workers needing lung transplants. Countries like Australia have taken steps to curb the use of dangerous materials, but varying regulations around the world highlight the need for unified action.
Decades ago, the WHO and the International Labour Organization launched a program to eliminate silicosis. Their efforts initially led to a national focus on the disease, but the latest spike in cases due to engineered stone caught many by surprise. Sadly, the WHO has been stepping back from its commitments to occupational health, partly due to funding cuts.
As the WHO’s main financial backer, the U.S. has significantly reduced its contributions, leaving a void that has hampered the organization’s ability to focus on essential health areas. Experts stress that the economic burden of failing to protect workers amounts to nearly 6% of global GDP, estimated at around $3 trillion annually.
The rise in workplace fatalities outpaces population growth, signaling an urgent need for more focus on occupational health. Marianne Levitsky, a founding member of Workplace Health Without Borders, calls for immediate action, questioning how many more lives need to be lost before worker health becomes a priority.
Workers’ health initiatives have suffered due to declining support from the WHO, which has pulled back on its focus over the years. Efforts to revitalize joint forums on occupational health have stalled.
The GOSH coalition is now working to raise awareness around these issues as the WHO prepares for its next leadership elections. They aim to make occupational health a significant part of the discussion, advocating for renewed collaboration with the International Labour Organization and ensuring adequate funding for health programs aimed at protecting workers.
Experts warn that the impact of climate change poses additional risks to worker safety. They highlight how heat, along with exposure to harmful chemicals and workplace stressors, can lead to serious incidents. Advocates remain hopeful that future leadership at the WHO will prioritize occupational health to safeguard the wellbeing of billions of workers globally.
