Occupational heat stress in outdoor works: the need for regulation

This policy brief discusses the cost of extreme heat for outdoor workers/employers in low-and middle-income countries and provides cost-effective protection measures. It calls for workplace interventions and regulation to improve productivity and health.

The key message of this brief, include the following:

• Heat stress causes a significant burden on the health of workers, in the short and the long-term.
• Workplace interventions, such as adequate water supply, shaded rest, improved sanitation, and ergonomic improvements to reduce physical effort can improve health along with productivity.
• A large portion of the costs associated with occupational heat stress are borne by families and low-income households and fuels the decision to migrate for some workers.
• Prevention is cost-effective with a positive return of investment for business and increased productivity for workers.