As the world navigates the path to a net-zero economy, the health and well-being of workers in construction and related industries demand urgent attention. La Isla Network is proud to participate in the BWI Global Climate Justice Summit, held from November 7-8, 2024, at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG). This landmark event, hosted by the Building and Wood Workers’ International (BWI), brings together unions and organizations committed to climate justice and a just transition for laborers worldwide.
Our Director of European Development, Matthijs Nieuwenhuis, will take part in a key round table on heat and workers’ health, sharing insights from our research and collaborations with global partners like Turner Construction Company. With climate change exacerbating heat stress, it is vital to address the challenges faced by those working in outdoor environments, particularly in construction.
Occupational Heat Stress: A Challenge for Construction
Recent studies conducted by La Isla Network and other organizations reveal the increasing risks faced by construction workers:
- 45% of construction workers in Europe experience high temperatures during a significant portion of their working hours. (Source: Eurofound)
- Workers exposed to heat reported dehydration, dizziness, fatigue, and other symptoms impacting their safety and productivity.
- In our fieldwork with Turner Construction, 43% of participants reached core body temperatures exceeding 38°C (100.4°F), while 92% started their workday dehydrated—a dangerous trend in heat-vulnerable industries. (Source: La Isla Network)
These findings underline the need for data-driven, customized interventions to ensure safe working conditions, especially in sectors exposed to climate extremes.
La Isla Network’s Role: Practical Solutions for Worker Safety
At the Geneva summit, Matthijs will present our Integrated AAA Approach — a framework designed to assess, address and assist in mitigating occupational heat risks. Our aim is to support companies and governments with practical recommendations that improve worker health, reduce liability and enhance productivity through sustainable practices.
What We Offer:
- Job-specific heat warnings based on real-world risk data.
- Access to cooling resources, such as shade structures, and hydration strategies.
- Collaboration with businesses to design targeted interventions improving workers’ conditions across climates.
Join the Conversation: Advocating for a Worker-Led Transition
This summit offers a crucial platform for exchanging ideas and building strategies for a worker-led transition to a sustainable future. As a research and advisory organization, La Isla Network remains committed to advancing occupational health and ensuring a just and equitable transition in collaboration with unions, communities, and businesses.
We invite you to follow Matthijs’ participation at the summit and explore the innovative solutions we’ve developed for the construction industry. Visit our public folder through the QR code available at the summit to access resources and learn more about our construction-focused work.
La Isla Network is an occupational health research and advisory nonprofit dedicated to ending heat-related illnesses among workers and their communities worldwide. We develop and implement data-driven worker protection and management assessment protocols to improve the resiliency of workforces and businesses to heat stress. Our work is backed by best-in-class researchers, industry leaders and government and multilateral institutions like the ILO. For more information please email in**@la***********.org .
