Co-organised by:
European Trade Union Institute (ETUI)
European Federation of Food, Agriculture, and Tourism Trade Unions (EFFAT)
European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU)
European Federation of Building and Woodworkers (EFBWW)
Climate change is profoundly transforming our planet. One of its most visible and immediate consequences is the sharp rise in temperatures across many regions. Increasing heat exposure is not only a major public health concern, but also a growing occupational risk for workers who are regularly exposed to high temperatures while performing their work.
In this context, it is essential to better understand who is most affected and how heat exposure concretely impacts workers’ health. Outdoor workers, those in physically demanding occupations, and workers in poorly ventilated indoor environments (among many others) are particularly vulnerable. Heat stress can lead to serious health consequences, ranging from dehydration and exhaustion to more severe conditions such as heatstroke, while also increasing the likelihood of workplace accidents. These situations raise important questions regarding the adequacy of existing protection frameworks. Is the current legal framework sufficient? Should policymakers adopt a more proactive approach to a risk that is no longer occasional, but persistent across multiple regions of the European Union?
The main aim of this event is the launch of a Model Directive on Occupational Heat developed by ETUI and supported by several European trade union federations (EFFAT, EPSU, EFBWW) and the ETUC. We strongly believe that occupational heat exposure is one of the issues requiring dedicated binding protection and, to this end, we seek to provide a legal response to the questions previously raised through such an instrument.
This event will present the work carried out in recent months on occupational heat exposure, aiming to shed light on these key questions and explore possible solutions. Particular attention will be given to the voices of workers themselves, with testimonials providing first-hand insights into the realities of working in high-temperature conditions.
Join us and engage in a dynamic discussion on how to better protect workers who will face increasing heat exposure in the current summer months.
Interpretation will be provided in English, French, Spanish and Italian.
The programme will follow here soon. Please register via the link above.
For more information: https://www.etui.org/events/protecting-workers-against-occupational-heat-impacts-and-solutions
Should you have any questions, please contact Victor Plyson ([email protected]).
