According to ILO estimates, at least 2.41 billion workers worldwide – over 70 % of the working population – are exposed to excessive heat at work every year. Around 22.85 million heat-related injuries and nearly 19,000 deaths are recorded annually, although the actual figures are likely to be significantly higher.

Heat at work in the EU

In Europe, heat stress at work is rising particularly rapidly; one in five workers in the EU is exposed to extreme heat at work. The sectors most affected are agriculture, construction, industry and transport. Working in hot conditions for two to three months a year has been shown to increase the risk of certain illnesses and long-term health consequences. In addition to acute health risks such as dizziness, heatstroke or accidents, extreme heat can also cause long-term health problems such as kidney disease and, in the worst cases, lead to death. The situation is worsening rapidly, particularly in Central and Northern Europe, where the number of heat-related deaths at work has risen by more than 50 % over the past 20 years. A study from 2020 found that the overall risk of workplace accidents is 5 to 7 % higher on days with temperatures of 30 to 33°C than on days with temperatures around 15.6°C. Temperatures above 38°C increase the overall risk of accidents by 10 to 15 %.

ETUC–ETUI Joint Conference on Climate Change and Workers’ Health

At the ETUC and ETUI joint conference on protecting workers from heat-related hazards in the workplace, Andreas Flouris (University of Thessaly) explained that the effects of heat often only become apparent after a delay. Furthermore, heat-related problems occur more frequently in countries with distinct seasons at the start of the warm period – for example, in June. 8 out of 10 cases of work-related injuries occur on hot days that are not explicitly declared as heatwave days. Hence, understanding and awareness of the dangers of heat must go beyond a focus on heatwaves and take into account that the risk is much greater at the start of the hot season. Additionally, growing risks like UV radiation, fires, floods, and storms - brought about by the climate crisis - must be considered more carefully in terms of how they affect workers.

ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch pointed out that heat is a growing cause of accidents at work, but that heatwaves are predictable, and their negative effects can be mitigated through proper preparation. There must be clear temperature limits in the workplace, tailored to specific locations and activities, as well as clear strategies for dealing with extreme weather events. Workers must be provided with suitable work clothing, and sanitary facilities are required to ensure a supply of drinking water. According to Lynch, these aspects must be included in the Quality Jobs Act, as AK also suggests in its Position Paper.

The ETUC expressly calls on the European Commission to adopt a directive on the prevention of occupational heat risks. These include setting maximum temperatures and requiring employers to conduct heat risk assessments, taking into account early warning indicators such as temperature and humidity. Furthermore, risk assessments should be based on globally recognised standards. The definition of heat stress should be based on the opinion of the Advisory Committee on Safety and Health at Work (ACSH). Uniform protection must be guaranteed, as the existing non-binding guidelines are insufficient in view of the deteriorating situation.

Enhanced measures for heat protection are also required in Austria

In Austria, the Heat Protection Regulation, designed to protect workers from the increasing frequency of extreme heat days and heat stress, came into force on 1 January 2026. From a Level 2 heat warning (30 degrees perceived temperature) onwards, employers must take measures to prevent risks for outdoor work – for example, on construction sites, in delivery services or in waste management. However, AK criticises the absence of legally binding maximum temperature limits for indoor workplaces. Furthermore, additional protective measures are required on hot days, such as a ban on overtime, extra breaks for workers in systemically relevant jobs, and the right to refuse work in the event of non-compliance with safety regulations.

For construction workers, the Austrian Act on compensation for construction workers for bad weather conditions (BSchEG) provides a special provision under which they are entitled to time off work when the temperature exceeds 32.5 degrees in the shade and to receive 60% of their hourly wage for missed hours. The heat app, co-developed by AK, alerts construction workers in a timely manner when the critical temperature is reached. However, there is currently no legal entitlement to this right, and in 2024, employers are granted time off due to heat only in 10% of cases.

Further information

AK EUROPA: Focus on the social question. Why a socially just transition needs to be strengthened right now
AK EUROPA: Europe is not sufficiently prepared for inevitable climate disasters
Chamber of Labour: Arbeiten bei Hitze (Working in hot weather) (German only)
Gesunde Arbeit: Arbeit im Wandel. Zeit für nächste Schritte im Arbeitnehmer:innenschutz (Healthy work: Work in transition. Time to take the following steps in worker protection) (German only)
ILO Global Report: Ensuring safety and health at work in a changing climate
ILO Global Review of the science, policy and practice: Heat at work: Implications for safety and health
ETUI Report: Heatwaves as an occupational hazard: The impact of heat and heatwaves on workers’ health, safety and wellbeing and on social inequalities
Social Europe: Will the European Union Protect Workers from Deadly Heat? Current legal frameworks leave workers dangerously exposed; only a binding directive can close the gaps.