Mining and quarrying workers are increasingly at risk from harm posed by temperature rises, extreme weather and increased demand for materials, says global safety charity Lloyd’s Register Foundation in its 'Global Safety Evidence Centre' report.

While workers across all industries face a host of direct and indirect risks as a result of climate change, including ultraviolet radiation and extreme weather events, those in the mining and quarrying industry were found to be particularly at risk of heat exhaustion and hazardous working conditions, the report states.

This is especially the case for workers in small mining operations, underground and open-cast mines, and workers in low-and-middle income countries with unregulated mining.

The International Labour Organisation estimates workplace harm to be the cause of three million deaths each year. Climate change impacts threaten to increase this rate of harm, the foundation says.

Further, the foundation’s World Risk Poll shows that one in five workers globally, or 18%, experienced harm at work in the past two years; a figure that rises to 21% in the mining and quarrying industry.

Rising temperatures are one of the areas of concern. Extreme heat exposure increases the risk of work injuries by 1% for every 1 °C increase, and by 17.4% in heatwaves, especially in subtropical climates.

The report states that outdoor workers in agriculture and construction, as well as indoor workers, especially in poorly ventilated environments, are most affected by excessive heat.

The foundation has issued a global call for more research and knowledge sharing owing to the lack of research and evidence of climate-related risks highlighted by the report prompted.

“There is a lack of evidence on how to protect workers from these growing risks, particularly in low- and middle-income countries,” says Lloyd’s Register Foundation evidence and insight director Nancy Hey.

“Filling these gaps in knowledge should be an urgent priority, as this work will enable lives and livelihoods to continue safely, and is essential to a thriving global economy.”

Additionally, where there is already strong evidence, as with risks from heat and ultraviolet radiation, then clear guidelines for employers should be created and widely shared, she says.

Researchers, evidence brokers and safety practitioners all have a role to play, and bringing these stakeholders together to share knowledge across sectors and regions will be key to protecting workers from the risks posed by climate change, she adds.

Meanwhile, a white paper published by global occupational health and safety organisation the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) calls for the development and enforcement of climate-related safety regulations as part of existing labour laws.

“The impacts of climate change are already being realised. Action to address climate change needs to happen at multilateral, national and local levels, including with businesses,” says IOSH policy and public affairs head Ruth Wilkinson.

“As part of this collective global action, it is crucial we consider the impacts on people, and specifically on workers and those vulnerable worker groups, so that adaptation and mitigation measures can be taken,” she says.