WHO sounds the alarm – workplaces are turning into ovens

By: Akinde Oluwaseun

Imagine a builder in Lagos wiping sweat from his brow, the sun beating down like a furnace. That’s the new normal, and the World Health Organization just put it in black‑and‑white. In a joint report with the World Meteorological Organization, WHO says millions of workers are now battling heat stress that isn’t just uncomfortable – it’s dangerous.

The paper, the first of its kind since 1969, warns that a rise of just one degree above 20 °C can shave 2 % off productivity, and that accidents jump 7 % when temps top 30 °C. “It’s not a minor inconvenience,” Rüdiger Krech told the BBC. “If your body temperature climbs past 38 °C for a while, you’re looking at stroke, kidney failure, dehydration – real health risks.”

Heatwaves are no longer rare guests. The last decade has been the hottest on record, 2024 already the warmest year ever. In parts of Europe, 40 °C is now routine; in Africa and the Middle East, 50 °C isn’t unheard of. Schools are even calling “Hitzefrei” and construction sites in Switzerland and Italy are shutting down during the peak heat.

The report isn’t just a warning – it’s a call to action. Governments, bosses and workers must sit down together and sketch out adaptation plans: better ventilation, shifted work hours, protective gear that actually breathes. “We can’t keep ignoring the money‑talk,” Krech said. “Skipping the upgrades now will cost far more in lost output and sick workers later.”

So next time you see a worker fanning himself on a scorching site, remember: the heat isn’t just a weather story. It’s a workplace crisis, and the clock is ticking.