Filenews 6 June 2024
In view of the high temperatures and the particular conditions prevailing and the relevant forecasts of the Department of Meteorology, the Department of Labour Inspection (TEE) of the Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, informs employers and self-employed persons that, in view of the warning of the Department of Meteorology issued for extremely high temperature at an orange risk level, it is necessary to discontinue, between the hours of 12:00-16:00, if the warning is in effect,
- all outdoor heavy and moderate work, and
- Product transport and/or product delivery operations using two-wheel vehicles (e.g. motorcycle, moped, bicycle) or personal mobility devices (scooters, e-scooters), such as the transport and/or delivery of products/food/mail and/or other activities.
The orange hazard warning and closure concern the interior (areas below 300 metres, more than 10 kilometres from the coastline) and the higher mountains (mountainous areas above 1150 metres).
For any other case (light work and in areas where the orange risk level does not apply), the Technical Chamber of Greece recalls that, based on the provisions of the Safety and Health at Work (Code of Practice for Thermal Stress of Workers) Decrees of 2014, 2020 and 2023 (Κ.Δ.Π. 291/2014, Κ.Δ.Π. 206/2020 and Κ.Δ.Π.231/2023):
- Both employers and self-employed persons must measure, in the places where work is carried out, the parameters (temperature and relative humidity) that contribute to the heat load. According to the prevailing conditions of air temperature (under shade) and relative humidity, they must regulate their work accordingly and apply a change of each work or rest or interruption of work, depending on the type of work performed, as well as other appropriate and adequate measures (organizational and technical) to avoid or reduce heat stress such as:
- Organization of frequent short breaks for rest in a shady, cool place or properly air-conditioned area or in an area where fans are used where possible.
- Configuration / selection of shady place or construction of suitable shelters for the execution of works where possible.
- Rotation of employees at work according to the type of activity performed.
- Avoidance, where possible, of strenuous outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day (12:00-16:00).
- Provision of fresh drinking water to employees (temperature 10 – 15οC).
- Provision and use by workers of appropriate head coverings.
- Use by employees of lightweight, loose and breathable clothing such as cotton and use of appropriate sunglasses.
- Avoid taking large meals or sugary foods or swallowing alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.
- Training of workers.
According to the provisions of the Code of Practice (Tables 12 and 13), for temperature conditions of 39° to 46 work should be stopped when the following or higher relative humidity rates prevail, depending on the type and gravity of the work:
| Work Gravity | Temperature (shaded) oC | |||||||
| 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 | |
| Light: | ≥ 53% | ≥ 48% | ≥ 43% | ≥ 39% | ≥ 34% | ≥ 29% | ≥ 25 | ≥ 23 |
| Moderate: | ≥ 48% | ≥ 43% | ≥ 38% | ≥ 34% | ≥ 29% | ≥ 26% | ≥ 22 | ≥ 19 |
| Heavily: | ≥ 42% | ≥ 37% | ≥ 33% | ≥ 28% | ≥ 25% | ≥ 21% | ≥ 18 | ≥ 15 |
