Ocean workers in global spotlight over climate-related harm

Lloyd’s Register Foundation has reported that ocean workers are among the most exposed groups to climate change impacts, calling for their recognition as a frontline workforce.

According to the Foundation’s latest World Risk Poll Focus On report, 80% of ocean workers are concerned about being seriously harmed by severe weather.

The findings are based on the 2024 World Risk Poll, conducted by Gallup, which surveyed 147,000 individuals in 142 countries.

The Foundation found ocean workers were nearly three times more likely to cite climate change as a daily safety risk than those in other sectors, with 17% identifying it as their primary concern.

Lloyd’s Register Foundation is now urging policymakers to include ocean workers in national and international climate adaptation strategies, citing a lack of occupational safety and health (OSH) training as a contributing factor to increased harm.

Report outlines elevated workplace injury rates among ocean workers

The Foundation reported that one in three ocean workers (33%) said they had experienced serious harm from severe weather in the last two years.

This compares to 20% of workers in other industries.

The report attributes this increased exposure to the nature of ocean-based work, where crews operate in open and often hazardous marine environments.

A quarter (25%) of ocean workers also said they had been harmed while working in the last two years, compared to 18% of other employees.

These figures position ocean workers as the group with the highest self-reported levels of both environmental and occupational harm.

The Foundation noted that such trends reinforce the need to consider ocean workers’ vulnerability when shaping future safety policies.

Lloyd’s Register Foundation calls for improved OSH training

Lloyd’s Register Foundation highlighted that many ocean workers have not received recent occupational safety training.

According to the report, 68% of ocean workers said they have never received OSH training.

Only 25% reported having completed any OSH training in the last two years.

Nancy Hey, Director of Evidence and Insight at Lloyd’s Register Foundation, said: “Climate change is undeniably reshaping our world, leading to more frequent, and more severe weather events.

“While this will impact us all, there are sectors of the global workforce which feel its impacts more severely.

“That makes it all the more concerning that those same workers are not receiving the vital OSH training they need to keep themselves, and their colleagues, safe.”

The Foundation is calling for increased investment in continuous OSH training tailored to the specific challenges of maritime working conditions.

Stakeholders emphasise policy change and frontline recognition

The Foundation has urged governments and ocean industry stakeholders to ensure that climate policies include protections for ocean workers.

Hey added: “It is imperative that we prioritise OSH training for ocean workers and change the assumption that this must only be done once.

“Training is a continuous process, not a one-off event, which requires adequate funding and widespread industry support.

“Stronger safety standards must be tailored to the unique challenges of working on, or near, the water, including protections against severe weather and isolation-related stress.

“Without them, ocean workers, who play such a pivotal role in our global economy, will be at increasingly heightened risk as our climate continues to change.

“However, their frontline status means ocean workers will also have knowledge and expertise on how we can safely adapt to climate change, and this is learning we should look to draw on in other sectors as they are also put under increasing climate-related stress.”

Professor Maximo Q. Mejia, Jr., President of the World Maritime University, said: “Seafaring and commercial fishing have traditionally been recognised as the world’s most hazardous occupations.

“Aside from already challenging conditions that have perennially been associated with shipboard life, our ocean workers face new and even more serious risks brought about by climate change.

“The World Risk Poll provides us with important and updated data and evidence that should inform any policy designed to protect not only our ocean workers, but the planet itself.”

Mental health and isolation risks highlighted by maritime networks

The International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) said the report reflects the intersection of physical danger and emotional strain.

Chirag Bahri, International Operations Manager at ISWAN and a former seafarer, commented: “In addition to the harsh weather, ocean workers have to deal with a variety of internal issues which lead to anxiety and stress, such as loneliness, working with a diverse and international crew, and being physically separated from their loved ones.

“This study emphasises that ocean workers are also subject to quiet storms in the form of insufficient training and fear of job loss.

“Their wellbeing is just as important as the work they do, so they should receive better training that helps to promote their occupational health and safety.

“The global economy depends on their resilience and power, and in order to safeguard the environment and humanity, we must adopt sustainable solutions.”

ISWAN stated that improving occupational support systems and mental health resources must be part of broader safety reforms.

Ocean workers most at risk from climate change: Summary

Lloyd’s Register Foundation has released its latest World Risk Poll Focus On report on ocean workers.

The data was derived from Gallup’s 2024 World Risk Poll of 147,000 people across 142 countries.

Eighty percent of ocean workers said they are worried about being seriously harmed by severe weather.

Seventeen percent cited climate change as the greatest daily risk to their safety.

This compares to 6% across other industries.

Thirty-three percent reported personal harm from severe weather in the last two years.

Twenty-five percent reported harm from work generally in the same period.

Only 25% of ocean workers have received OSH training in the last two years.

Sixty-eight percent said they have never received such training.

Lloyd’s Register Foundation has called for new safety standards and continuous training.

The Foundation wants ocean workers recognised as a frontline group in climate adaptation policies.

The World Maritime University and ISWAN have supported the findings.