The relentless heatwave gripping Europe has sparked a critical conversation about worker safety and the urgent need for new protections. As the continent swelters, trade unions are leading the charge to address the deadly impact of heat stress in the workplace.
This summer's extreme temperatures have already claimed lives, with estimates ranging from 1,300 to a staggering 20,000 excess deaths across Europe. The World Health Organization's figures are a stark reminder of the urgency and scale of the problem.
Unions are proposing a comprehensive approach, advocating for enforceable thermal limits based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), which measures the body's ability to cool. They're also pushing for mandatory heat risk assessments, heat breaks, outdoor shade, water, cooling measures, and adjusted working hours.
Enrico Somaglia, General Secretary of the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (Effat), emphasizes the evolving nature of climate change risks. "It's no longer a distant challenge; it's an immediate threat to worker safety and job stability," he says.
The draft directive, while not legally binding, is gaining traction among supportive MEPs and officials. It proposes maximum workplace WBGTs ranging from 30°C to 32.5°C, with work suspended beyond these limits. Employers who flout the rules would face sanctions.
Effat is joined by two other union groups, representing a combined 15 million workers, in backing the proposed heat safety law. This comes amid a growing movement of union support for such measures.
In the UK, where an amber heat alert was recently issued, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) is calling for a maximum working temperature of 24°C, with the right to stop work at 30°C or 27°C for strenuous jobs. Paul Nowak, TUC General Secretary, stresses the need for mitigation strategies as the climate rapidly changes.
The Heat Strike movement, formed after the UK's hottest day in 2022, has gained momentum, with activists setting up cool stations and symbolic walkouts. Supported by various unions and environmental groups, they're raising awareness and demanding action.
Global heating is intensifying, with Europe warming twice as fast as the global average. Research shows that up to 130 million workers are now exposed to heat stress, resulting in 277,000 injuries annually. Maria Ohisalo, a Finnish Green MEP, supports the union push, highlighting the need for legally binding, harmonized rules to protect workers across Europe.
While the proposed heat stress rules could be included in the Quality Jobs Act, they face opposition from labor ministers in right-wing EU states. The fight for worker protection in the face of climate change is a complex and critical battle, and the outcome will have far-reaching implications for the future of work in Europe.
