New Delhi, Aug. 22 -- An increase of one degree beyond 20 degrees Celsius (degrees C) in wet-bulb global temperature (WBGT) slashes global worker productivity by 2-3 per cent, while also causing additional physiological strain and an increased risk of ill health, a new joint report by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has found.

Workplace heat stress was significantly higher when working in the sun, where WBGT, which takes into account exposure to thermal radiation, typically increases by 2 degrees C to 3 degrees C compared to working with shade protection, the report noted.

It describes 'workplace heat stress' as circumstances under which a worker's body accumulates heat due to the comb...