The European Union Union is urgently required to protect workers from the risk of extreme heat expansion.
The character Throne The terrible winter, the phrase “summer is coming” is now an amazing warning of job risks. This growing concern is amplified by an irreversible effect of climate change.
On March 4, the European Union (ETUC) solve Summarize the contents of the future guidelines to prevent professional heat risks. This is not the first time ETUC has found. Greater protection In this area. Hit raises clear social and environmental results in recent events such as forest fires. In California Last summer, last summer, last summer All over Europeand Panels between governments on climate change (IPCC) Projection of temperature that continues to rise and strengthen for decades.
The world of work is far from this danger. Climate change and relevant rise in temperature are direct threatening Workers’ health and safety. International Labor Organization (ILO) in the latest reportSafety and health guarantee at work in a changing climateThe report has already warned of this important issue, according to the report, with 24.1 billion workers around the world, and the European levels have reached 130 million. Prediction study I suggest that this risk will continue to increase.
Why is it a delay?
It is only a matter of time before the news explains the temperature rise and the weak impact on workers. This raises an important question. Why are you waiting for acting? Discussions surrounding excessive heat at work often narrow focus. dead. But this creates a “tunnel vision” effect that deals only with the visible tips of the bigger iceberg. The actual problem is much more broader various Short -term and Long -term results. A clear example is, “There is a wide range of health effects associated with excessive heat, including heat stress, heat source, thermal fatigue, radio diagnosis, heat diagnosis, heat cramps, heat rash, cardiovascular disease, acute kidney damage, chronic kidney disease and physical injury. European Safety and Health Agency at work (EU-OSHA) confirmed ecological anxiety as emerging industry safety and health risks directly related to rising temperature rises.
In addition, excessive columns mainly affect Outdoor workersOther sectors are never affected. The same applies Individual worker characteristicsIt can increase vulnerability, such as age, gender or existing health status. Therefore, regulations must solve both the general and differentiated demands of excessive heat. For example, consider an operator who performs outdoor activities with a temperature exceeding 40 ° C. Imagine that the industrial iron, which is now at 150 ° C in an industrial laundry facility, is increasing the work environment temperature significantly. Finally, think that workers are in the 55 -year -old age and menopause. The conclusion is obvious. As workers face a variety of vulnerabilities, protection measures must accept these differences.
Comprehensive and necessary guidelines
Summary of the proposed guidelines adaptation A tool that reduces the vulnerability of workers and adopts a comprehensive perspective on danger due to extreme heat. The main side of the resolution includes a request for establishment. Maximum work temperatureWhile considering the sector and personal conditions. It also advocates the mandatory heat risk assessment, which requires a clear definition of heat stress. It is also important to adopt a more suitable risk assessment method. Wet (WBGT) Given that it has an unbalanced impact on a group with vulnerable risks, they ensure that they are comprehensive. Another tool suggested is the implementation of Thermal management planAdjust the reaction to bad weather. Some countries SpainThere is a regulation that requires companies to deliver alarms issued by meteorological authorities.
In addition, workers must grant specific rights, including health monitoring related to individuals. VulnerabilityThe right to be educated on this issue. In addition, if there is a risk of imminent, you must stop working and have the right to be social protected during the suspension of work. The resolution Framework Guidelines for Industrial Health and Safety By advocating Stop accessPriority: (1) Replace or remove risks if possible; (2) Implementation of technical measures (e.g. cooling area); (3) Adoption of organizational measures (for example, concentration of work for a cool time); (4) Providing personal protection equipment. Ultimately, ETUC’s suggestions are needed and appropriate. The company tries to adapt to the concrete and growing risks that affect the legal framework of the EU, which matches the EU legal framework for industrial health and safety.
Examples to follow and the time to fill
This pre -preliminary perspective was adopted in some countries such as Spain and tried to establish a comprehensive RDeportation to the protection of workers on risks related to climate change. This regulation is not in place yet, but the government has promised to approve the year. Greece It also temporarily approved the suspension of outdoor work during the extreme temperature period. However, both measurements were implemented as a direct response to a particular climate change event.
Currently, regulations and measures on this topic are not harmonized throughout Europe. Some member states acknowledge risks and take action, and other member states remain without specific protection, which can apply additional pressure on the European Commission. this Lack of harmonious protection Such guidelines can be effectively solved. It is also important to recognize that other extreme weather events, such as drought, floods and heat, have a job. Health and safety components It must be solved in the near future.
This problem will continue to grow in the future. that MediterraneanIn particular, it is expected to experience a significant increase in temperature. This means that over time, the results of the health and safety of workers will become more and more complicated. Both the EU and its member states should adopt pre -adjusted actions instead of simply reactive approach.
Marouane Laabbas-EL-GUENNOUNI is a researcher at the European Labor Union Research Institute (ETUI) and focuses on the effects of climate change and ecological transition to ecological safety health.
