It’s published
The heat wave cleaning Europe claims its first casualty in the workplace. Spain and France each report heat wave-related deaths. Similar tragedy occurred in the previous summers of both countries, in Italy and Greece.
The European Union of Trade Unions (ETUC) is sounding an alarm. The EU has seen a 42% increase in heat-related deaths in the workplace since the turn of the century, according to International Labour Organization figures.
ETUC notes that if temperatures exceed 30°C, the risk of work-related accidents increases by 5-7%. If the temperature exceeds 38°C, the risk is 10-15% higher.
Therefore, the European Union calls for European measures to protect workers.
“The risk should be assessed by taking into account temperature as well as humidity, specifically the amount of shade available, ventilation and other conditions that affect the exposure to sunlight.”
“Secondly, we believe there should be a right to medical examinations, management and regular examinations. And finally, if the worker recognizes that extreme fever conditions are putting him or her at risk, he will not be able to escape work without disciplinary action or sanctions,” he adds.
In the EU, 23% of workers are exposed to at least a quarter of workers, 36% in agriculture and industry, and 38% in construction.
Dizziness, headaches, and muscle cramps are the first symptoms of fever stress. These signals can lead to vomiting, loss of consciousness, and even death if no action is taken. High temperatures also exacerbate a variety of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Various national rules
ETUC is seeking to set maximum working temperatures for various activity sectors.
Some member states have already set thresholds, the European Union said.
- Belgium: 29°C for light physical tasks, 26°C for medium heavy physical tasks, 22°C for heavy physical tasks, 18°C for very heavy physical tasks.
- Hungary: 31°C for sedentary and light physical work, 29°C for medium physical work, 27°C for heavy physical work.
- Latvia: Maximum indoor working temperature of 28°C.
- Spain: The maximum working temperature for sedentary tasks such as office work is 27°C, but for light tasks it is 25°C. However, these restrictions do not apply to any type of work or to all workers and facilities.
