Report on Occupational Heat Stress and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: A Convergence of Climate, Health, and Labour Crises

Soaring summer temperatures across Europe are presenting a significant occupational health crisis, impacting workers from agriculture to logistics. This issue directly intersects with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting the urgent need for a coordinated response. The failure to protect workers from extreme heat undermines progress on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and reflects the broader challenges presented by SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Health Impacts and the Imperative for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

Physiological Risks of Heat Exposure

Exposure to extreme heat places severe strain on the human body, leading to a range of health conditions that compromise worker well-being, a core tenet of SDG 3. These risks include:

• Heat exhaustion
• Heat stroke
• Delayed mortality
• Kidney damage
• Exacerbation of heart disease and respiratory conditions
• Deterioration of mental health

The European Union has recorded a 42 per cent increase in heat-related workplace fatalities since 2000, a statistic that signals a critical failure to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages as mandated by SDG 3.

Vulnerable Worker Populations

While outdoor workers in physically demanding sectors such as construction, agriculture, and emergency services are at highest risk, indoor employees in poorly cooled or ventilated buildings are also vulnerable. Protecting all workers, regardless of their role, is essential for achieving universal health coverage and safety.

The Decent Work Agenda: Addressing Regulatory Deficiencies under SDG 8

Lack of Harmonised EU Legislation

A significant barrier to ensuring safe working conditions is the absence of uniform European Union legislation on maximum heat exposure for workers. This regulatory gap creates inconsistent protection across member states, directly conflicting with the objectives of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), which calls for the protection of labour rights and the promotion of safe and secure working environments for all workers.

A Patchwork of National Regulations

Several member states, including Germany, Spain, France, and Italy, have implemented national rules. However, these vary in scope and enforcement. Common measures include:

• Mandating the availability of fresh drinking water.
• Adapting working hours to avoid peak heat.
• Banning outdoor work during the hottest parts of the day.
• Setting temperature limits based on work intensity (e.g., 29-30°C for high-intensity work).

The underreporting of occupational heat-related illnesses and inconsistent enforcement remain significant challenges, preventing the full realisation of decent work for European labourers.

Frameworks for Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Measuring Heat Stress for Worker Safety

Effective mitigation strategies, crucial for fulfilling SDG 3 and SDG 8, rely on accurate risk assessment. The Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) is considered a superior indicator of heat stress compared to ambient temperature alone, as it accounts for heat, humidity, wind, and solar radiation. Temperatures exceeding 29°C to 32°C on the WBGT scale are often classified as an extreme threat, significantly increasing the risk of heat-related illness.

Worker Awareness and Immediate Action Protocols

A lack of awareness, even among young and fit workers, is a major risk factor. Workers must be trained to recognise the symptoms of heat stress, which include dizziness, fatigue, headache, nausea, and confusion. In the event of symptoms, the following protocol should be followed:

1. Stop all work immediately.
2. Move to a cool, shaded area.
3. Drink water.
4. Remove unnecessary protective clothing.
5. If there is no improvement within 30 minutes, seek emergency medical assistance.

Advancing Worker Protections to Meet SDG Commitments

The Right to a Safe Working Environment

Existing EU directives mandate that employers protect workers from occupational risks, and workers generally have the right to refuse work if they face an imminent threat to their physical integrity. However, the ambiguity surrounding heat stress requires more explicit protections. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has advocated for stronger, specific legislation to institutionalise these rights and align labour practices with the SDGs.

Recommendations for Enhanced Legislation

To adequately address the threat of occupational heat stress and make tangible progress towards SDG 3 and SDG 8, policy actions are required. Key demands include:

• The establishment of legally binding EU-wide legislation on maximum working temperatures.
• A guaranteed right for workers to receive medical examinations related to heat exposure.
• A protected right for employees to stop work during extreme heat conditions without facing repercussions or loss of income.

Implementing these measures is essential for building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth, and ensuring the health and safety of the European workforce in a changing climate.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article’s central theme is the severe health risks posed by extreme heat to workers, including heat exhaustion, heat stroke, death, kidney problems, and the exacerbation of heart and respiratory diseases. It directly addresses the need to protect human health from environmental hazards.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The article focuses on occupational safety and the right to a safe working environment. It discusses the lack of uniform regulations for heat exposure, the rights of workers to refuse dangerous work, and the role of employers and trade unions in protecting workers, which are all core components of ensuring decent work.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  The issue of “soaring summer temperatures” and “brutal heatwaves” is presented as the root cause of the increased risk to workers. This directly connects the problem to the effects of climate change and highlights the need for adaptation strategies to build resilience against climate-related hazards.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

   Although heat is not a chemical, it is an environmental health hazard. The article’s focus on preventing “heat-related workplace deaths” and illnesses like “heat exhaustion, heat stroke,” and organ damage aligns with the goal of reducing deaths and illnesses from environmental factors in the workplace.

2. Target 8.8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.

   This is the most relevant target. The article explicitly discusses the need to “protect workers’ health and safety from occupational risks,” the call for new laws to protect workers during heatwaves, the right to stop work when facing a threat, and the importance of enforcing safety rules. It highlights the vulnerability of workers in physically demanding jobs like construction and agriculture.

3. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

   The article describes various adaptation measures to cope with extreme heat, a climate-related hazard. Examples include France requiring employers to “adapt their workplaces and working hours” and Italy’s temporary ban on “outdoor working during the hottest hours.” These actions represent efforts to strengthen resilience and adapt to the new reality of frequent heatwaves.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Mortality and Morbidity Rates from Occupational Heat Exposure

  The article provides specific data that can be used as an indicator. It states that “extreme heat kills nearly 19,000 workers per year” globally and that the EU has seen a “42 per cent increase in heat-related workplace deaths since 2000.” Tracking the number of deaths and the incidence of “diseases related to occupational heat” would measure progress towards Target 3.9 and 8.8.

• Existence of Legislation and Regulations on Heat Exposure

  The article mentions that several EU countries (Germany, Spain, France, Italy) have rules, but there are “no uniform rules” across the EU. It also specifies temperature limits set in some national laws (“around 29 to 30 degrees Celsius for high-intensity work”). The adoption and enforcement of such legislation is a clear indicator of progress in creating safer working environments (Target 8.8).

• Use of Risk Assessment Tools and Early Warning Systems

  The article introduces the “Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT)” as a metric to signal heat stress and mentions a tool developed in Italy to “map daily risk levels for workers.” The implementation and use of such tools serve as an indicator for strengthening adaptive capacity and managing health risks (Target 13.1 and Target 3.d – Strengthen capacity for early warning and risk reduction).

• Implementation of Workplace Adaptation Measures

  The article details specific adaptive measures, such as providing “fresh drinking water,” adapting “working hours,” and ensuring access to a “cool, shaded area.” The prevalence and implementation of these measures in workplaces across Europe can be monitored as an indicator of resilience to climate hazards (Target 13.1).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: euronews.com