In 2016, nearly 2 million people died from an occupational accident or disease. A figure that has risen slightly since 2000 and that the pandemic will further increase
In 2016 alone, 1.9 million people died from work-related accidents or illnesses, the UN said on Friday. These are the first joint historical estimates of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labor Organization (ILO).
They cover the period 2000-2016 and therefore do not take into account the Covid-19 pandemic, which, according to a previous WHO report, accelerated the tendency to work longer hours, which is the risk principal of work-related fatalities.
“No one should get sick or die while doing their job,” said the CEOs of these two organizations, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Guy Ryder, in the 2000-2016 report.
The report identifies a disproportionate number of work-related fatalities among workers in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific, as well as among men and those over 54 years of age. “These nearly 2 million premature deaths are preventable. We need to take action based on available research to target the evolving nature of work-related health threats, ”said the director of the Environment, Climate Change and Health Department at WHO, in a statement.
The study examines 19 occupational risk factors, including exposure to long working hours and workplace exposure to air pollution, substances that cause asthma, carcinogens, ergonomic risk and noise.
“Shocking”
The main risk was exposure to long working hours: in 2016, around 750,000 people died, including stroke, for working at least 55 hours per week, according to the WHO. Exposure to atmospheric pollution (particles, gases and fumes) in the workplace has resulted in 450,000 deaths. In 2016, diseases were responsible for around 80% of deaths.
Occupational accidents alone cause the death of 360,000 people per year, or nearly 20% of work-related deaths. “Our report is a wake-up call for countries and businesses to improve and protect workers’ health and safety by honoring their commitments to provide universal coverage of occupational safety and health services. Added Dr Tedros.
Work-related illnesses and injuries strain health systems, depress productivity and can have a catastrophic impact on household incomes, the report points out.
The report does bring somewhat brighter news, however: Globally, the number of work-related deaths per capita fell by 14% between 2000 and 2016, as the world’s population grew.