The rising danger posed to workers by climate change is demonstrated by new EU data showing that the number of people exposed to heat waves at work has increased by 60% over the last 20 years – highlighting the need for a European directive on maximum working temperatures.
The first findings of the new European Working Conditions Survey show that the number of workers exposed to high temperatures between a quarter and three quarters of the time now stands at 21% - up from 19% in 2015 and 13% in 1995.
Eurofound says this rise in ‘episodic exposure’ is linked to climate change. The number of people working in a permanently hot environment, such as in a foundry or kitchen, remains stable at 5%.
Workers in agriculture (68 %), construction (52 %) industry and transport (both 33 %) have the highest levels of heat exposure. The risk of workplace accidents increase by up to 15% when temperatures exceed 38°C, and exposure also has long-term health risks, raising the chances of cardiovascular, respiratory and other conditions such as chronic kidney disease or infertility.
The report comes after another summer blighted by the deaths of workers in extreme heat that could have been prevented by employers putting in place common sense health and safety measures, including the following cases:
France: A 35-year-old man died on his way home from work after labouring in high temperatures and a 50-year-old man died after his body temperature rose to 42,9 °C while working in a distribution centre.
Spain: An agriculture worker died shortly after feeling dizzy while harvesting fruit in temperatures exceeding 40°C, and a 51-year-old worker collapsed at home after completing her shift as a street cleaner.
Greece: At least two construction workers, one 58-year-old and another 65-year-old, died after collapsing with heat stroke while working in high temperatures.
Italy: A 47-year-old construction worker collapsed and died while working on a building site, and a 50-year-old agricultural worker died after vomiting several times and falling to the ground.
To prevent further heat-related workplace fatalities, the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is calling for the European Commission to bring forward a directive on maximum working temperatures to ensure work stops when it becomes dangerously warm.
It would also require employers to provide basic protections like access to shade, drinking water and protective clothing, as well as working with unions to put in place preventative heat risk plans, training and medical check-ups.
Commenting on the findings of the Eurofound report, ETUC Confederal Secretary Giulio Romani said:
“This data shows again the urgent need for workers’ rights to keep pace with climate change. The significant rise in the number of people exposed to high temperatures at work cannot be ignored. We need common sense changes to the way we work to keep people safe.
“Every summer now brings a spate of deaths caused by the expectation that people have to continue working in dangerously high temperatures. This cannot be allowed to continue. Workers collapsing and dying on construction sites, in our fields, or in our factories is not acceptable.
“The Commission cannot continue to look the other way. We need a European directive on maximum working temperatures because climate change is by nature a cross-border issue.
“We know heat waves are coming and it is reasonable to expect that employers should have to work with unions on a plan to keep workers safe by taking a break when it gets too warm, as well as providing shade, drinking water, training and medical checks.”
Notes
ETUC resolution on the content of a Directive on the prevention of occupational heat risks
