The magnitude of excessive heat at work in Bangladesh is greater than the global average, although it has worsened slowly over the past 20 years.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) disclosed this in a new report styled 'Heat at work: Implications for safety and health' on July 25.
It has warned that more workers are being exposed to heat stress worldwide.
Heat, a silent killer that threatens the health and lives of a growing number of workers globally, can quickly cause illness, heatstroke or even death.
Over time, it can also lead to serious heart, lung and kidney problems for workers, finds the report.
In 2020, more than 450,000 occupational injuries were attributed to extreme heat, accounting for 8.46 per cent of all occupational injuries in Bangladesh.
"This percentage is higher than the global average of 6.14 per cent, although the increase was slightly slower than the global average (2.66 per cent increase compared to 2.92 per cent)."
Additionally, more than 1.6 million people in Bangladesh lived with kidney disease attributable to heat stress at work in 2020.
This accounts for 3.53 per cent of all kidney disease cases here, which is higher than the global burden of 3.1 per cent, indicating a larger share for heat stress.
In 2020, an estimated 70-million workers in Bangladesh were exposed to excessive heat, representing a 51-per cent rise in the number of exposed workers since 2000.
"This increase is primarily driven by population growth and is significantly larger than the global average increase of 34.86 per cent."
In relative terms, over 98 per cent of the national labour force was exposed, a 0.8-per cent increase compared to 2000, it said.
The vast majority (over 96 per cent) of this exposure occurred outside of heatwaves.
The data also revealed that regions previously unaccustomed to extreme heat would face increased risks, while workers in already hot climates would confront ever more dangerous conditions.
Overall, the report indicates that workers in Africa, Arab states, and Asia and the Pacific are most often exposed to excessive heat, with 92.9 per cent, 83.6 per cent and 74.7 per cent respectively.
The figures are above the global average of 71 per cent as per the most recent figures available (2020).
The fastest changing working conditions are seen in Europe and Central Asia, according to the report.
From 2000 to 2020, the region recorded the largest increase in excessive heat exposure, with the proportion of workers affected rising by 17.3 per cent, almost double the global average.
Meanwhile, the Americas, Europe and Central Asia are witnessing the largest rise in workplace injuries from heat stress since 2000, with 33.3 per cent and 16.4 per cent increases respectively.
This is possibly due to hotter temperatures in regions where workers are unused to heat, notes the report, estimating that 4,200 workers globally lost their lives to heatwaves in 2020.
In total, 231-million workers were exposed to heatwaves in 2020, marking a 66-per cent increase from 2000.
Nonetheless, the report stresses that nine out of 10 workers globally were exposed to excessive heat outside of a heatwave and eight in 10 occupational injuries from extreme heat happened outside of heatwaves.
As the world continues to grapple with rising temperatures, we must protect workers from year-round heat stress. Excessive heat is creating unprecedented challenges for workers worldwide all year round, and not only during periods of intense heatwaves, said ILO director-general Gilbert F Houngbo.
Improved safety and health measures to prevent injuries from excessive heat in the workplace could save up to $361 billion globally - in lost income and medical treatment expenses - as heat stress is affecting global regions differently, emphasised the study.
The ILO estimates show low- and middle-income economies, in particular, are the most affected, as the costs of injuries from excessive heat in the workplace can reach around 1.5 per cent of national GDP.
"This is a human rights issue, a workers' rights issue and an economic issue, and middle-income economies are bearing the biggest brunt," cited Mr Houngbo.
"We need year-round heat action plans and legislation to protect workers, and stronger global collaboration among experts to harmonise heat stress assessments and interventions at work."
The findings build on an April 2024 report, which indicated that climate change was creating a "cocktail" of serious health hazards for an estimated 2.4-billion workers who are exposed to excessive heat.
According to the April report, excessive heat alone causes 22.85-million occupational injuries and the loss of 18,970 lives each year.
munni_fe@yahoo.com