Labors Overseas: Coping with Scorching Temperatures on the Job - Foreign Labor Conditions Amid High Temperatures: An Overview
Heat Protection Measures Across Southern Europe: A Comparative Analysis
In the sweltering summer months, countries across Southern Europe are grappling with the challenges posed by heatwaves, particularly for those working outdoors. Here's a look at how various nations are addressing this issue.
Spain leads the way in implementing specific and binding heat protection regulations for outdoor workers. In Barcelona, measures such as mandatory hourly water breaks, shaded routes, and breathable uniforms are in place when temperatures reach 34°C (93°F). Work suspension is enforced at 40°C (104°F). These rules aim to reduce heat-related risks for workers like street cleaners, but enforcement remains a challenge [1].
The tightening of these regulations came in response to a city cleaner's fatal heatstroke in Madrid in 2022. Outdoor work is now restricted or suspended during extreme heat, and violations can result in fines of up to almost one million euros [2].
Italy has made some efforts in sectors like tourism, with Italy’s federations requesting earlier opening times in outdoor heritage sites to avoid peak heat hours. However, official mandated heat protections are limited [1].
Greece faces a high proportion of workers experiencing extreme heat, particularly in outdoor jobs. According to the EU-OSHA survey, about one-third of workers in Greece face extreme heat. However, specific national regulations comparable to Spain’s are not detailed in recent reports [3].
France, as an EU member, follows general EU guidelines on occupational heat exposure. The details of its heat worker protection regulations are not explicitly outlined in the sources, but public employers are required to take precautions during heatwaves to protect their employees [3].
Turkey, not an EU member, has less documented official heat protection measures. Outdoor workers face similar heat stress risks during summer heatwaves [4][5].
At the EU level, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) provides practical recommendations on mitigating heat risks at work, including hydration, rest breaks, and recognizing heat illness symptoms. These recommendations are intended for member states like Spain, Greece, Italy, and France [3].
In Slovenia, there are no detailed regulations for outdoor work in heat, but the Confederation of Free Trade Unions ZSSS has proposed suggestions. Indoor workplaces, however, have laws where the temperature should not exceed 28 degrees [6].
Hungary has detailed regulations for heat protection at work, with different requirements based on the physical intensity of the work [7].
In Serbia, employers who violate heat protection rules face fines of up to 17,000 euros, and employees can anonymously report non-compliant employers to the labor inspectorate [8].
During extreme heat, Greece closes the Acropolis in Athens and prohibits outdoor work between 12:00 and 17:00 in affected regions, including construction workers, agriculture workers, and delivery personnel on motorcycles [9]. Greek cities also open public air-conditioned buildings during heatwaves for people without air conditioning at home [10].
In Croatia, there are no laws regarding heat protection, a point criticized by trade unions who demand rules similar to those in France [11].
Spain is also implementing sun sails, water points, trees, traffic calming measures, and cooling rooms for heat protection [12].
In summary, Spain has initiated some of the more specific and binding heat protection rules for outdoor workers in Southern Europe, while other countries primarily rely on general EU guidance or have fewer enforceable protections**. Enforcement remains a critical challenge across the region during increasingly severe heatwaves [1][3].
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/spains-heat-protection-rules-face-enforcement-challenges-2021-07-27/ [2] https://www.elpais.com/elpais/2022-08-01/inenglish/spanish-government-to-fine-companies-up-to-almost-one-million-euros-for-not-respecting-heat-protection-measures.html [3] https://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/heat-stress-and-health-workplace-guidelines [4] https://www.dw.com/en/turkey-heatwave-leaves-dozens-dead-as-temperatures-reach-47-celsius/a-59018107 [5] https://www.anadoluagency.com/news/turkey-warns-of-heat-wave-as-temperatures-hit-47c-in-some-areas [6] https://www.mps.si/en/work/work-safety/heat-stress-at-work/ [7] https://www.munkaügy.hu/en/work-environment/heat-stress-protection [8] https://www.b92.net/english/news/business.php?yyyy=2021&mm=07&dd=26&nav_id=103412 [9] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/23/greece-closes-acropolis-as-temperature-hits-42c [10] https://www.ekathimerini.com/2576064/article/ekathimerini/news/greek-cities-open-public-buildings-to-cool-down-during-heatwave [11] https://www.hrt.hr/en/news/croatia-calls-for-heat-protection-laws-as-temperatures-soar [12] https://www.elpais.com/elpais/2021-07-23/inenglish/spain-to-introduce-heat-protection-measures-for-outdoor-workers.html
- Despite the EU's guidelines on occupational heat exposure, the specific policies for worker protection during heatwaves vary among EC countries, such as Spain, Greece, Italy, France, Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Croatia, and Turkey.
- Workplace wellness, including health-and-wellness initiatives and fitness-and-exercise practices, are largely absent from heat protection policies, but the EU's science-based recommendations on hydration, rest breaks, and recognizing heat illness symptoms are available for member states.
- The nutritional aspects of workplace wellness during heatwaves are not addressed in the current heat protection policies, and the environmental science behind climate change's impact on heat stress remains a less-explored topic in this context.
- In an attempt to mitigate heat-related risks for workers and improve the health and wellness of the workforce, practices like mandatory water breaks, shaded routes, breathable uniforms, and sun sails are implemented in regions like Barcelona, Spain, as part of comprehensive and binding heat protection regulations.
