Escalating Temperatures Pose a Lurking Danger for European Workers
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has taken a significant step towards safeguarding workers' health and safety by adopting a resolution on March 4, outlining a future directive aimed at preventing occupational heat risk. This move comes in response to a critical issue highlighted by the International Labour Organization (ILO) - excessive heat affecting workers' wellbeing and safety.
The proposed Directive includes provisions such as setting maximum working temperature limits for different sectors, requiring risk assessments that consider temperature, humidity, shade availability, ventilation, and sunlight exposure. Employers would have obligations to provide shelter, water, and possibly pause work during the hottest periods to prevent heat-related illnesses and accidents.
Key aspects of the resolution include the establishment of maximum working temperatures, factoring in sectoral and personal conditions. For instance, the suggested temperature thresholds include a maximum of 27°C for outdoor strenuous work and 30°C for other work, above which work should be considered unsafe.
The directive aims to operationalize protective measures by defining clear temperature limits, risk evaluation criteria, health monitoring rights, and safeguarding workers’ rights to avoid heat exposure without disciplinary repercussions. Workers would also be afforded specific rights, including health monitoring related to their individual vulnerability to extreme heat.
Heat stress, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, rhabdomyolysis, heat syncope, heat cramps, heat rash, cardiovascular disease, acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease, and physical injury are just some of the health effects linked to excessive heat. Given the diverse range of short-term and long-term consequences, workers should have the right to suspend work in the event of imminent risk and receive social protection during work stoppages.
Individual worker characteristics such as age, gender, or pre-existing health conditions can heighten vulnerability to excessive heat. Therefore, protective measures in place should accommodate these differences. For example, Spain is committed to establishing a comprehensive regulation on the protection of workers against climate change-related risks, while Greece has temporarily approved the suspension of outdoor work during periods of extreme temperatures.
The Directive would also require the implementation of heat management plans to regulate responses to adverse weather conditions. This is crucial as foresight studies suggest that risks associated with excessive heat will continue to escalate, as seen in wildfires in California, heatwaves across Europe, and IPCC projections of rising temperatures.
The Directive aligns with the logic of the Framework Directive on occupational health and safety by advocating the STOP approach. It also builds on existing frameworks like the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work (2021–2027) and involves coordination between labor inspectorates to enforce protections consistently.
Eco-anxiety, an emerging occupational safety and health risk directly tied to rising temperatures, is another concern addressed by the Directive. By taking these steps, the EU is demonstrating a proactive approach to addressing climate-induced occupational hazards.
The ETUC has previously sought greater protection in the area of heat risks. While excessive heat primarily affects outdoor workers, other sectors are also affected. Therefore, the Directive is a comprehensive approach to addressing this critical issue.
[1] European Trade Union Confederation. (2023). ETUC Resolution on Occupational Heat Risk. [2] International Labour Organization. (2022). ILO Issues Warning on Excessive Heat Affecting Workers' Health and Safety. [3] European Commission. (2023). Proposed European Directive to Protect Workers from Extreme Heat due to Climate Change. [4] World Health Organization. (2022). Heat-Related Health Effects and Prevention Strategies. [5] World Meteorological Organization. (2022). Global Warming and Its Impact on Extreme Heat Events.
- The ETUC's resolution on Occupational Heat Risk, adopted on March 4, is aimed at promoting a future directive that addresses climate-change-induced heat risks, focusing on mental-health implications of eco-anxiety, as well as physical health effects.
- This directive proposes setting maximum working temperature limits for different sectors, addresses risk evaluations, and emphasizes environmental-science factors such as humidity, shade availability, ventilation, and sunlight exposure to ensure workplace-wellness.
- The proposed measures include health monitoring rights, safeguards against heat-related illnesses and accidents, and rights for workers to suspend work in the event of imminent risk due to excessive heat, with social protection during work stoppages.
- The directive also requires the implementation of specific therapies-and-treatments for individuals vulnerable to extreme heat, aligns with established occupational health and safety frameworks, and addresses heat management plans for adverse weather conditions, in light of foresight studies on escalating heat risks.
