The heat will have "catastrophic consequences" for workers in the future, the WHO has warned

Extreme heat is becoming one of the biggest occupational risks and will have "catastrophic consequences" for workers in the future, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Friday.

This organization has been working with the World Meteorological Organization (WTO), which specializes in climate change , to produce a first report on the subject for more than 50 years, which takes into account not only aspects relating to human health but also the impact of this situation on the economy.

Calculation models indicate that the productivity of workers decreases by between 2% and 3% per degree, above 20 degrees Celsius. This must be understood in the context of heat waves, which are becoming more frequent and longer in many parts of the world. Ideally, activities that are physically intense should be performed at room temperature 19 or 20 degrees .

According to the report, 2.4 billion workers (70% of the world's total) may be exposed to extreme temperatures during work. It is estimated that about 23 million job injuries occur each year due to extreme heat, which is reflected in the organism through "thermal stress" or "caloric overload."

Craftsmen in sectors such as agriculture, construction and fisheries spend more time abroad, but those working in the interior can also have a major impact, especially on those who use heat generating machines.

UN experts have pointed out that the time has come for state institutions, the private sector and trade unions to agree onplans to respond to heat waves  and that the best way to convince entrepreneurs to push for the necessary changes is to show the return of productivity . Governments must adopt legislation to ensure that working conditions do not pose a health risk.

Similarly, the identification and treatment of symptoms requires educational and awareness-raising activities, which are often erroneously diagnosed.