Key facts
- Approximately 130 million European workers are exposed to heat stress.
- The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is advocating for a maximum working temperature law.
- Proposed measures include 'cooling breaks,' paid breaks, access to water, and toilets.
- Workplace heat stress can cause significant health issues, including injuries and deaths.
- The WHO estimates over 2.4 billion workers globally face excessive heat exposure annually.
European trade unions are calling on the European Commission to implement a law setting a maximum working temperature, warning that extreme heat poses a significant and preventable risk to millions of workers across the continent. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) highlighted the issue, suggesting measures like 'cooling breaks,' similar to those used in the World Cup, as a starting point for adapting workplaces to a changing climate.
Esther Lynch, General Secretary of the ETUC, stated that workers need more than just brief recovery periods and emphasized the need for a law granting paid breaks, access to water, and proper sanitation facilities. Workplace heat stress can lead to severe health consequences, including exhaustion, pathological conditions, and even death. Data from the World Health Organization indicates that over 2.4 billion workers worldwide are exposed to excessive heat, resulting in more than 22.85 million occupational injuries annually.
The WHO recommends that core body temperature should not exceed 38°C for workers to sustain an eight-hour shift. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures is linked to increased risks of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as chronic kidney disease and infertility. Vulnerable groups, including older workers, individuals with chronic health conditions, pregnant women, and those performing intense physical labor, are at a higher risk.
The ETUC pointed out that current protections across Europe are fragmented, consisting of inadequate national laws and voluntary guidance. They advocate for binding European legislation and increased investment in labor inspectorates to ensure compliance, emphasizing that climate change is a cross-border issue requiring a unified approach.