: Elevated temperatures are associated with a significant increase in mortality among workers in Colombia, with some occupational groups facing substantially greater risks than others, according to new research from the International Labour Organization.
The working paper, Climate-Related Heat Stress and Occupational Mortality in Colombia, combines death records for people aged 15 to 59 from Colombia's vital statistics system between 2017 and 2021 with temperature measurements from meteorological stations and labour force data. Its final dataset covers 297 municipalities, representing approximately 59 per cent of Colombia's population.
Across all occupations, monthly maximum temperatures between 26°C and 32°C were associated with an additional 0.04 deaths per 1,000 workers, compared with months in which maximum temperatures remained below 26°C. When temperatures exceeded 32°C, the figure rose to 0.09 additional deaths per 1,000 workers.
Some occupations face substantially higher risks
The findings show that agricultural workers, assemblers, health associate professionals and teaching professionals are among the occupational groups most affected by the deadly consequences of elevated temperatures.
Assemblers recorded the highest estimated rates, with monthly maximum temperatures above 32°C associated with 1.33 deaths per 1,000 workers. The corresponding estimates were 0.40 deaths per 1,000 health associate professionals, 0.26 among agricultural workers and 0.21 among teaching professionals.
Workers in metal and machinery trades, stationary plant and machine operation, and labour-intensive jobs in mining, construction, manufacturing and transport also faced relatively high mortality risks.
The authors note that risks among agricultural workers may be underestimated because meteorological stations are less likely to cover remote and rural areas where many agricultural workers live and work.
Men are more affected overall, but some women face particular vulnerabilities
The study finds that men generally experience higher mortality associated with elevated temperatures. Across all occupations, temperatures above 32°C were associated with approximately 0.12 deaths per 1,000 male workers, more than twice the rate estimated for women.
However, the results also reveal important occupational differences. Female health associate professionals were particularly vulnerable, with temperatures above 32°C associated with 0.48 deaths per 1,000 workers. Women account for around two-thirds of employment in this occupational group.
The paper suggests that differences in working conditions, physical workload, outdoor exposure, workplace ventilation, production-related heat and the use of personal protective equipment may all influence workers' vulnerability.
Prevention and social protection are essential
The study calls for stronger occupational safety and health measures, particularly in occupations where heat-related mortality is already high.
Recommended measures include workplace heat-risk assessments, access to drinking water, more frequent rest periods, adapted working schedules, cool and ventilated rest areas, appropriate protective equipment, worker training, acclimatization measures and regular health monitoring.
The participation of workers and employers through social dialogue is also essential to identifying risks and designing effective workplace responses.
While Colombia's general health insurance system covers almost 99 per cent of the population, only around 53 per cent of the working population was covered by the country's occupational risk system in December 2024. This leaves many workers, particularly those in informal employment, without adequate protection against employment-related injury and illness.
The working paper concludes that further research is needed, including on heat-related illness and the effectiveness of preventive measures across different occupations. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of high temperatures, strengthening prevention, adaptation and social protection will become increasingly important for protecting workers' health.
