Working for over 55 hours a week kills 800,000 people every year: Report
Story highlights
Of the 2.96 million people who died due to excessive work, 2.6 million died due to diseases derived from employment.
Overworking is fatal, and it leads to the death of almost three million people worldwide every year.
A report by the International Labor Organization (ILO) has shed light on how employment is fast evolving as a major cause of death, especially among men.
The study claimed that more than 800,000 people die every year due to working for more than 55 hours a week. Of the 2.96 million people who died due to excessive work, 2.6 million died due to diseases derived from employment.
trending now
)
Five senators ask Biden to impose China travel ban after respiratory illness cases
)
India state election results: PM Modi's BJP scores a sweeping 3/4 in crucial test before 2024 final
)
US' Ohio reports ‘white lung syndrome’ outbreak. Know what it is
)
New York stabbing attack: Four killed in Queens neighbourhood as police shoots suspect dead
)
COP28 summit in Dubai makes breakthrough over renewable fuels but there is a catch
)
This groundbreaking new drug is all set to increase life span of large dogs
)
Moon getting hydrogen from Solar winds, reveals study of Apollo samples
)
Indian PM Modi hails four-state election results as victory of 'politics of development'
)
World AIDS Day: Skin conditions related to HIV/AIDS
)
CID star Dinesh Phadnis aka Fredericks is on ventilator support: Report
)
India and Maldives core group to discuss usage of Indian military platforms
)
Telangana election results 2023: BRS concedes defeat, extends congratulations to Congress
)
British Army used solar panels created out of forced labour in China: report
)
Ranbir Kapoor's Animal is a massive hit, crosses Rs 200 crore mark worldwide
)
Cyclone Michaung: PM Modi speaks to Andhra CM, takes stock of preparations
The rest 330,000 deaths came from work accidents.
Most common risks at work
The study attempted to highlight the most common risks at work, with the topmost being long working hours of over 55 hours a week (744,942 deaths).
The other risks involved exposure to gases and smoke (450,000 deaths), work-related injuries (363,283), exposure to asbestos (209,481), silica (42,258), substances that cause asthma (29,641), solar ultraviolet radiation (17,936), diesel engine exhaust fumes (14,728), arsenic (7,589), and nickel (7,301) according to the figures for 2016.
The study links occupational risks to disability-adjusted life years (DALYS). Work-related injuries (26.44 million) pose the greatest threat to workers' life years, followed by exposure to over 55 work hours (23.26 million), ergonomic factors (12.27 million), and exposure to smoke and gases (10.86 million).
Specific findings note a doubling in the trachea, bronchus, and lung cancers attributed to chromium exposure from 2000 to 2016, a 40 per cent rise in asbestos-related mesothelioma, and a 37 per cent increase in non-melanoma skin cancer from 2000 to 2020. While deaths from asthmagens and particulate matter, gases, and fumes decreased by over 20 per cent.
Watch: Bill Gates envisions a future without overworking humans | World News
Regarding diseases, the ILO reveals that 32.4 per cent of work-related deaths result from circulatory problems, 27.5 per cent from cancer, 14.3 per cent from respiratory diseases, 11.3 per cent from injuries, 7.2 per cent from infectious diseases, 3 per cent from asthma, 2.9 per cent from neuropsychiatric conditions, 0.95 per cent from genitourinary problems, 0.94 per cent from digestive diseases, and 0.15 per cent for other reasons.
The report emphasises that over 13 million people globally suffer visual impairment due to occupational factors.
Fresher dies in China due to overwork
Meanwhile, excessive work continues to kill people around the world. Recently, an undergraduate intern died in China after multiple live-streaming gaming sessions were squeezed into a month.
According to reports, Li Hao passed away suddenly after finishing his last gaming session, on November 10. His father said that Li Hao joined the company in the middle of October, as an intern for six months.
(With inputs from agencies)
)
