42% increase in heat-related deaths at work in the EU since 2000

The heatwave sweeping across Europe has claimed its first victims at work. Spain and France have each reported a heatwave-related death. Similar tragedies have occurred in previous summers in both countries, as well as in Italy and Greece.

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) is sounding the alarm. According to figures from the International Labour Organisation, the EU has seen a 42% increase in heat-related deaths in the workplace since the turn of the century.

The ETUC points out that, according to studies, when temperatures exceed 30°C, the risk of work-related accidents increases by 5 to 7%. When the temperature rises above 38°C, the risk is 10-15% higher.

The European confederation is therefore calling for European measures to protect workers.

“We need to assess the risks by taking into account not only the temperature, but also other conditions affecting humidity and, specifically, the amount of shade available, ventilation and exposure to sunlight,” insists Giulio Romani, ETUC Confederal Secretary.

“Secondly, we believe that there should be the right to medical examinations, controls and periodic inspections. And finally, a right to be absent from work without disciplinary measures or sanctions, in cases where the worker perceives that the extreme heat conditions are putting him or her at risk”, he adds.

In the EU, 23% of workers are exposed to high temperatures at least a quarter of the time, 36% in agriculture and industry and 38% in construction.

Dizziness, headaches and muscle cramps are the first symptoms of heat stress. These signals can then lead to vomiting, loss of consciousness and even death if no action is taken. High temperatures also exacerbate a range of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Different national rules

The ETUC is calling for maximum working temperatures to be set for different sectors of activity.

Some member states have already set thresholds, says the European confederation.

• Belgium: 29°C for light physical work, 26°C for moderately heavy physical work, 22°C for heavy physical work and 18°C for very heavy physical work.
• Hungary: 31°C for sedentary work and light physical work, 29°C for moderate physical work and 27°C for heavy physical work.
• Latvia: maximum indoor working temperature of 28°C.
• Spain: the maximum working temperature for sedentary work, such as office work, is 27°C, while for light work it is 25°C. However, these limits do not apply to all types of work, nor to all workers or premises.