EU Workers’ Heat‑Related Deaths Surge 42% Since 2000, Trade Unions Report

EU Trade Union Advocates for Unified Heatwave Safety Standards

Key Points of the Call

• Collective Effort: The organization seeks a set of shared guidelines applicable across all member states.
• Worker Well‑being: Emphasis on safeguarding health conditions during extreme heat.
• Legislative Action: Proposes clear regulations to enforce cooling breaks, hydration, and safe working hours.
• Implementation: Calls for regular monitoring and transparent reporting of compliance.

Implications for Employers

Companies would need to adapt working schedules, invest in cooling solutions, and train staff on heat‑related risks. Non‑compliance could trigger stricter enforcement and potential legal consequences.

Next Steps

The Confederation plans to collaborate with policymakers and industry stakeholders to draft these rules within the coming months, aiming for wide adoption across Europe.

Heatwave‑Related Workplace Deaths in Europe

Recent Incidents: The hottest period of the year has already claimed two victims at work—one in Spain and another in France. These tragedies echo similar summer losses in Italy and Greece.

Statistical Overview

• The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has highlighted a rise in workplace fatalities linked to extreme heat.
• Data from the International Labour Organization indicate a 42% increase in heat‑related deaths at work since the dawn of the twenty‑first century.
• Temperature thresholds:
  • At 30°C, the likelihood of work‑related accidents climbs by 5–7%.
  • Reaching 38°C magnifies risk by 10–15%.

ETUC’s Call to Action

“Assessment of heat risk must factor in more than just temperature. Humidity, shade availability, ventilation, and sun exposure all play critical roles,” asserts Giulio Romani, ETUC Confederal Secretary.

Proposed Protective Measures

• Nation‑wide implementation of heat‑risk guidelines for workplaces.
• Mandatory provision of cooling stations and hydration breaks.
• Enhanced training for employees on heat stress symptoms and first‑aid protocols.
• Regular monitoring of microclimate conditions on work sites.

Heat Stress in the Workplace: Advancing Workers’ Health Rights

Photographic Context

An eye‑catching image, taken on 4 July 2025, shows a child seeking relief beneath a metal nebuliser outside a Milan restaurant. The scene illustrates the public visibility of extreme heat, a backdrop for the urgent discussion that follows.

Core Proposals for Employee Protection

• Access to medical tests—workers should be entitled to regular health examinations, safety checks and ongoing monitoring.
• Leave without penalty—employees who feel that severe heat poses a danger can request time off without facing disciplinary action.
• Pre‑emptive interventions—employers are encouraged to act before minor signs of distress develop into serious health issues.

Workplace Exposure Across Europe

According to current EU statistics:

• 23 % of all workers face temperatures high enough to be considered a risk at least once a quarter of the year.
• In agriculture and industry, 36 % of employees are exposed to such conditions.
• In construction, a striking 38 % encounter extreme heat.

Early Symptoms and Potential Dangers

The onset of heat stress is often identified by dizziness, headaches, and muscle cramps. If ignored, these early warning signs can progress to:

• Vomiting
• Loss of consciousness
• Potential fatal outcomes

Broader Health Implications

Elevated temperatures don’t just affect immediate comfort; they can worsen cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, further underscoring the need for proactive measures in professional settings.

Different national rules

EU Trade Union Association Urges Industry‑Specific Warm‑Work Limits

ETUC Calls for Clear Temperature Thresholds Across Sectors

The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has demanded that each sector of the labour market adopt explicit maximum working temperatures. The organization noted that several member states have already implemented such limits, but stressed the need for a uniform approach across the EU.

Current National Guidelines

• Belgium:
  • Light physical work – 29 °C
  • Moderately heavy physical work – 26 °C
  • Heavy physical work – 22 °C
  • Very heavy physical work – 18 °C
• Hungary:
  • Sedentary/Light physical work – 31 °C
  • Moderate physical work – 29 °C
  • Heavy physical work – 27 °C
• Latvia: 28 °C as the maximum temperature for indoor working environments.
• Spain:
  • Office (sedentary) work – 27 °C
  • Light physical work – 25 °C

  Spanish limits, however, do not cover all job types, all workers, and all premises.

Why The ETUC Says This Is a Priority

The confederation argues that extremely high temperatures can “significantly impair worker health, reduce productivity, and increase accident rates.” By setting concrete, sector‑specific thresholds, they hope to protect employees while allowing firms to plan cooling solutions effectively.

Next Steps

The ETUC intends to lobby EU policymakers to adopt a harmonised framework that reflects the diversity of work conditions across member states. They anticipate that an EU‑wide standard will reduce the risk of labour market fragmentation and enhance overall occupational safety.