Work Hazards Cause 840,000 Deaths Yearly — ILO

No fewer than 840,000 people die each year from health conditions linked to work risks, according to a new report by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

The report listed the risks to include long working hours, job insecurity, workplace harassment and bullying.

It noted that the way that jobs are designed, organised and managed has a major effect on the health and safety of workers.

The study, “The psychosocial working environment: Global developments and pathways for action,” noted the impact is growing, manifesting itself in rising rates of cardiovascular disease and mental disorders, including suicide.

The report’s authors looked at three interrelated areas of work: the nature of the job (including the demands, responsibilities and tasks).

It also examined how the job is organised and managed and the broader workplace policies in place (such as performance and reward processes and rules preventing violence and harassment).

They estimated the figure of 840,000 deaths per year by looking at global levels of workplace risk factors: job strain, an imbalance between effort and reward, job insecurity, long working hours, bullying and harassment.

Scientific research shows how these risks increase the likelihood of serious health conditions.

The risk levels were matched with the latest global mortality and health data from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Global Burden of Disease study to arrive at the number.

Many of these risks have been around for a long time, but the ILO is concerned by the effects of the current transformations that are taking place in workplaces.

These upheavals include digitalisation, AI, remote work and new job arrangements which – if not addressed properly – can intensify existing problems or create new ones.

“Psychosocial risks are becoming one of the most significant challenges for occupational safety and health in the modern world of work,” Manal Azzi, Team Lead on OSH Policy and Systems at the ILO, said.

“Improving the psychosocial working environment is essential not only for protecting workers’ mental and physical health, but also for strengthening productivity, organisational performance and sustainable economic development.”

The report emphasises that the risks and excess deaths can be avoided if root causes are addressed.

It added that deaths could be avoided if psychosocial risk management is integrated into occupational safety and health systems and supported by social dialogue between governments, employers and workers.

By addressing the risks proactively, the report concludes, countries and enterprises can create healthier workplaces that benefit both workers and organisations – while strengthening productivity and economic resilience.