In the face of Europe's scorching summer, unions are rallying for stricter worker protections against heat stress, a pressing issue linked to an alarming number of workplace fatalities. This year's heatwave has already claimed an estimated 230 lives, with projections of up to 20,000 deaths across Europe, according to various sources. The situation is dire, and unions are taking decisive action.
The call for change is centered around enforceable workplace thermal limits, based on the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT), which measures the body's cooling capacity. This, coupled with mandatory heat risk assessments, is a crucial step towards ensuring worker safety. Additionally, unions advocate for rights to heat breaks, access to outdoor shade, water, cooling systems, and flexible working hours, all to be included in the Quality Jobs Act.
Enrico Somaglia, the general secretary of the European Federation of Food, Agriculture, and Tourism Trade Unions (Effat), emphasizes the urgency of the situation. He states, "Climate change is no longer a distant environmental challenge but a daily occupational health and safety risk, threatening job stability. The current legal framework is insufficient to combat this issue."
The proposed heat safety law, supported by three major union groups representing 15 million workers, includes maximum WBGT limits of 30°C to 32.5°C for various work intensities, with work suspension beyond these temperatures. Employers who violate these rules face severe sanctions. This initiative is gaining momentum, with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in the UK advocating for a maximum working temperature and the right to stop work in extreme heat.
The TUC's demands include rules for employers to reduce temperatures above 24°C and the right to stop work at 30°C or 27°C for strenuous jobs. Paul Nowak, TUC general secretary, highlights the need for mitigation strategies as climate change intensifies workplace risks. He suggests relaxed dress codes, flexible working hours, and protective measures for outdoor workers.
The Heat Strike movement, formed after the UK's hottest day in 2022, has gained momentum, with 1,500 participants in a national action during the June heatwave. Activists set up cool stations, providing water and health advice, and some held symbolic lunchtime walkouts in solidarity with those enduring extreme heat. This movement is a testament to the growing awareness and action against heat stress.
The urgency of the situation is underscored by the rapid global heating trend, with Europe warming twice as fast as the global average. Up to 130 million workers are exposed to heat stress, resulting in 277,000 injuries annually, according to European Trade Union Institute research. Maria Ohisalo, a Finnish Green MEP, supports the union push for legally binding and harmonized rules, as current recommendations fall short.
However, the implementation of new heat stress rules faces challenges. The European Commission's Quality Jobs Act, which could include these rules, must overcome opposition from right-wing EU labor ministers favoring weaker recommendations. The commission's silence on the matter adds to the complexity of the situation.
In conclusion, the call for stricter worker protections against heat stress is a necessary and timely response to the escalating climate crisis. As Europe's summer continues to break records, the need for action is undeniable. The proposed measures, if implemented, could significantly improve worker safety and address the growing concern of heat-related workplace fatalities.
