Filenews 3 July 2025 - by Angelos Angelodimou
The heatwave, which is spreading to several countries across Europe, is once again bringing to the fore the issue of working under adverse weather conditions. The collapse of a 51-year-old worker in Barcelona a few days ago prompted the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) to raise the issue of changes in the provisions regarding working at maximum temperatures.
In a statement issued on July 1 by the ETUC, it is noted that in the midst of an investigation into the death of another cleaning worker during a heat wave, the unions are calling on the European Commission to issue a directive on maximum working temperatures.
A 51-year-old woman collapsed at her home on Saturday after completing her shift as a street sweeper in Barcelona. She is one of at least five people who died after working in high temperatures in Spain this summer. Similar tragedies have occurred in Italy, France and Greece in recent summers.
The latest incidents show that heat-related deaths can occur even after exposure, reinforcing the need for stronger protection and more accurate data collection to avoid underreporting.
42% more deaths
Within the EU, there has been a 42% increase in heat-related deaths in the workplace since 2000, according to data provided by the International Labour Organization. This is the fastest increase in heat-related deaths at work of any part of the world.
When temperatures rise above 30°C, the risk of accidents in the workplace increases by 5-7%, while when temperatures exceed 38°C, accidents are 10% to 15% more likely, research shows. Exposure to heat also poses long-term health risks, increasing the chances of cardiovascular, respiratory, and other diseases, such as chronic kidney disease or infertility.
Proposals
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) calls on the European Commission to submit a directive that provides:
* Binding maximum working temperatures, taking into account specific working conditions per sector, such as the nature and intensity of work, indoor and outdoor activities.
* A requirement for employers to work with unions to design and implement safer workplace policies through collective bargaining agreements.
* Mandatory heat risk assessments for employers, incorporating advanced indicators that take into account e.g. temperature, humidity and shade/exposure to sunlight and airflow.
* Education and training for employers, employees and supervisors on the recognition of symptoms of heat stress and the implementation of first aid measures.
* The right to targeted and regular medical check-ups and health monitoring, which are necessary to avoid work-related heat stress, ultraviolet radiation and other diseases.
