European legislation to regulate the maximum permissible temperature in the workplace
25.7.2022
Question for written answer E-002729/2022
to the Commission
Rule 138
Milan Brglez (S&D), Matjaž Nemec (S&D)
The increasing frequency and severity of heat waves across the European Union show how urgently and decisively we need to act to combat climate change, while adapting our lifestyles and standards of decent work to these changes.
In recent days, new, tragic reports of work-related deaths and injuries linked to unsuitable working conditions due to heat have been coming from Member States. This is particularly relevant to workers who spend most of their time working outdoors. According to Eurofound,[1] nearly a quarter of workers are currently exposed to extremely high temperatures for at least a quarter of their working time. In agriculture and industry, the proportion of such workers is even higher (36%), while heat stress is worst in the construction sector (38%).
Despite the increasing risk posed by extremely high temperatures, only a few countries have set a maximum workplace temperature in national legislation. It varies between Member States from 28 to 36 degrees Celsius.
We therefore ask the Commission whether it will proceed with the preparation of a legislative proposal that would regulate maximum permissible temperatures in the workplace, both indoors and outdoors, in a uniform manner.
- [1] https://www.eurofound.europa.eu/data/european-working-conditions-survey?locale=EN&dataSource=EWCS2017NW&media=png&width=740&question=Q29c&plot=heatMap&countryGroup=linear&subset=agecat_3&subsetValue=All&answer=1--At-least-1-4-of-the-time