Unions in Europe demand new protections against workplace heat stress amid climate crisis

As Europe experiences extreme heat this summer, unions are advocating for new protections against workplace heat stress, which contributes to an estimated 230 deaths annually. On July 15, 2026, the European Federation of Food, Agriculture and Tourism Trade Unions (Effat) highlighted the urgent need for enforceable thermal limits and rights to heat breaks, as the World Health Organization links recent heatwaves to 1,300 excess deaths.

Proposed Regulations for Workplace Heat Safety

Unions are urging the establishment of maximum workplace thermal limits, grounded in the wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) measurement. This scale would impose limits between 30°C and 32.5°C, depending on the intensity of work. If temperatures exceed these thresholds, work would be suspended, protecting employees from heat-related illnesses.

Effat's general secretary, Enrico Somaglia, stated, “Climate change is no longer a distant environmental challenge, it is a daily occupational health and safety risk.” The union seeks to include these regulations in a forthcoming quality jobs law that would require mandatory heat risk assessments at job sites.

Union Support Across Europe

Effat, alongside the European Federation of Public Service Unions and the European Federation of Building and Woodworkers, represents approximately 15 million workers advocating for heat safety legislation. In the UK, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has echoed calls for maximum working temperatures, urging action from ministers as an amber heat alert was issued for the south-west of England.

The TUC's proposal includes measures to ensure employers mitigate workplace temperatures above 24°C and grant workers the right to stop work if temperatures reach 30°C, or 27°C for strenuous jobs. TUC general secretary Paul Nowak emphasized the need for comfortable indoor conditions and protections for outdoor workers, including regular breaks and adequate hydration.

Activism and Legislative Challenges

A grassroots movement, Heat Strike, emerged following the UK’s hottest day in 2022, organizing national actions during heatwaves. Activists provided cool stations in town centers, distributing water and health advice, and encouraging solidarity among workers facing extreme temperatures.

Research from the European Trade Union Institute reveals that up to 130 million workers are exposed to heat stress in Europe, with 277,000 injuries reported annually. Finnish Green MEP Maria Ohisalo, who supports the union push, noted the absence of comprehensive European regulations on heat exposure, calling for legally binding protections.

While the European Commission plans to introduce new heat stress rules in the Quality Jobs Act, opposition from labor ministers in right-leaning EU states may hinder progress. The commission has not commented on the proposal.