A report on the impacts of climate change published earlier this year by the European Environment Agency shows that 47% of people say they have felt too hot at work. That makes the workplace one of the highest risk environments – but only around 15% of workers say changes were made to mitigate the impact. 

Extreme heat can cause fatigue, dehydration or worsen chronic diseases. Physical work heightens body temperature even more, while heat stress impairs judgment and increases accident risk. Poor recovery between shifts, especially when workers live in inadequately cooled homes, adds to the burden. When temperatures rise above 30°C, the risk of workplace accidents increases by 5-7% and, when temperatures exceed 38°C, accidents are between 10% to 15% more likely, research shows. 

Exposure to heat also has long-term health risks, raising the chances of cardiovascular, respiratory and other conditions such as chronic kidney disease or infertility. 

Isabelle Barthès, industriAll Europe's Deputy General Secretary said “It is important to stress that both outdoor and indoor workers are affected. Indoor workers suffer especially in poorly ventilated buildings or heat-intensive industries. Heat can weaken concentration and alertness and exacerbate sick building syndrome*. In many industries, workers must wear personal protective equipment; in hot conditions they may suffer exhaustion and breathing difficulties.”

Unfortunately, employers have been slow to adjust workplaces and conditions – far too slow. IB: “This is simply unacceptable. We call on all employers to live up to their responsibility to provide safe and healthy workplaces – for any weather condition.”

IndustriAll Europe also joins the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) in their call for a directive on the prevention of occupational heat risks. It should include:

  • Binding maximum working temperatures, taking into consideration sector-specific working conditions like nature and intensity of work, indoor and outdoor activities.
  • A requirement for employers to work with trade unions to design and deliver safer workplace policies through collective bargaining agreements.
  • Mandatory heat risk assessments for employers, integrating advanced indicators that consider e.g. temperature, humidity, and shade/exposure to sunlight, and airflow.
  • Education and training for employers, workers, and supervisors on recognising symptoms of heat stress and implementing first-aid measures.
  • The right to targeted and regular medical check-ups and health monitoring, which are needed to prevent underreporting of work-related heat stress, UV radiation, and other diseases.


*Sick building syndrome is the name for symptoms you get while you are in a particular building, e.g., headaches, blocked or runny nose, dry, itchy skin, dry, sore eyes or throat, cough or skin rashes, tiredness and difficulty concentrating. It can be caused by poor ventilation or poorly maintained air conditioning systems, dust, smoke, fumes or fabric fibres in the air, bright or flickering lights, problems with cleaning and layout, etc.