Almost two million 'killed by their jobs' annually
Almost two million people are “killed by their jobs” annually, according to the first global estimates tracking work-related deaths.
The figures, published on Friday by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO), found that were at least 1.9 million deaths caused by work-related diseases and injuries in 2016, the most recent year for which figures are available.
“It’s shocking to see so many people literally being killed by their jobs,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Our report is a wake-up call to countries and businesses to improve and protect the health and safety of workers by honouring their commitments to provide universal coverage of occupational health and safety services."
Estimates earlier this year found that long working hours were the key occupational risk factor, leading to strokes and ischaemic heart disease, causing 400,000 and 350,000 deaths respectively.
According to the ILO and WHO report, non-communicable diseases account for 81 per cent of the deaths. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, caused by prolonged exposure to air pollution, is the leading killer, causing 450,000 fatalities.
The report looks at deaths from 2000-2016 and considers 19 occupational risk factors, including those detailed above as well as workplace exposure to things like carcinogens and noise. Occupational injuries also caused 19 per cent of deaths, killing 360,000 people.
The report also warns that the true numbers are actually likely to be higher, as there are other risk factors at work that may cause disease or injury but which were not considered in this report.
However, work-related deaths per population did actually fall by 14 per cent in the period studied, probably reflecting improvements in workplace health and safety, the report said.
But the leading risk – long working hours – is an “increasing trend”, the report said, suggesting that prevention efforts may need to pivot towards this factor rather than tackling other workplace risks with interventions like protective gear, for example. Deaths from heart disease and strokes linked to long hours rose by 41 and 19 per cent respectively between 2000-2016.
Dr Maria Neira, director of the department of environment, climate change and health at the WHO, said: “These almost 2 million premature deaths are preventable. Action needs to be taken based on the research available to target the evolving nature of work-related health threats.”
Older, male workers are at particular risk, the report found, and disproportionately those based in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific.
Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security
