Soaring Temperatures Poses Imminent Peril to European Labor Force
The European Commission is currently assessing a proposed directive aimed at safeguarding workers from the risks associated with extreme heat. The directive, which is under review, prioritizes risk substitution, technical measures, organizational measures, and personal protective equipment.
The proposed directive adopts a comprehensive perspective, offering tools to reduce workers' vulnerability to extreme heat risks. This comes as foresight studies suggest that the risks associated with excessive heat will continue to escalate, and other extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves, also have occupational health and safety components that need to be addressed.
The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) adopted a resolution outlining the content of this future directive on 4 March. Key aspects of the resolution include establishing maximum working temperatures, mandatory heat risk assessments, and the implementation of heat management plans. The resolution also advocates for the use of Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) for risk assessment, ensuring inclusivity for vulnerable groups.
Climate change, and the associated rise in temperatures, directly threatens workers' health and safety. This is evident in wildfires in California, heatwaves across Europe, and IPCC projections of continuously rising temperatures. In response, Greece has temporarily approved the suspension of outdoor work during periods of extreme temperatures.
While some European countries, such as Germany and Spain, have already established specific limits on maximum workplace temperatures to protect workers from heat stress, no finalized EU binding directive on heat protection for workers has been adopted yet. However, momentum for legislative action is building within EU institutions and member states.
For instance, trade unions and labor organizations in countries like Ireland are calling for comprehensive legislation introducing maximum temperature limits, mandatory heat risk assessments, workplace heat management plans, and stronger enforcement mechanisms. This indicates a movement toward wider regulatory adoption.
In terms of national regulations implemented, Germany has a workplace maximum temperature set at 26°C, while Spain has a maximum temperature of 27°C for workspaces. The European figure reaching 130 million workers exposed to excessive heat underscores the need for a unified approach to this issue.
The lack of harmonised protection could be effectively addressed with a Directive like the one proposed by the ETUC. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has identified eco-anxiety as an emerging occupational safety and health risk directly tied to rising temperatures. The International Labour Organization (ILO) has also issued a warning on the critical issue of ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate.
As the review of the EU Workplace Directive 89/654/EEC continues, it is hoped that a binding directive will be adopted to protect workers across Europe from the risks associated with extreme heat.
References: 1. Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work 2. Senior Labour Inspectors’ Committee
- The proposed directive, emphasizing health and safety, addresses the escalating risks associated with extreme heat and other weather events through tools such as maximum working temperatures, heat risk assessments, and heat management plans.
- Science plays a crucial role in this issue, with environmental science and climate change directly affecting workers' health and wellness, as evidenced by events like wildfires and heatwaves.
- To combat these risks, the European Commission could benefit from collaborations with organizations in science, healthcare, and environmental fields, like the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and even therapies-and-treatments providers, to foster workplace-wellness and create a safer, more resilient workforce.
