Europe is facing an unprecedented heat wave, and July—the hottest month of the year—is expected to make working conditions even more challenging. The climate crisis is now fundamentally altering the work environment, making heat stress one of the most significant challenges to workers’ health and safety.
In response to this new reality, EL.IN.Y.A.E. — the Hellenic Institute for Occupational Health and Safety — presents a new publication on Heat Stress in the Workplace, a scientific resource that compiles the most recent data and international guidelines, offering practical and immediately applicable solutions for businesses and workers.
The figures are particularly alarming, according to the relevant announcement. One in five workers in the European Union has already been exposed to extreme heat while on the job, while in southern Europe—with Greece among the top countries—the rate reaches one in three.
According to current data from the World Health Organization, more than 1,300 “excess deaths” have been recorded since June 21, linked to high temperatures in Europe. Globally, 71% of the workforce is exposed to excessive heat, resulting in 22.85 million injuries and nearly 19,000 deaths each year.
Even more alarming is that 90% of exposure and 80% of workplace accidents occur outside of official heatwave periods, due to the daily accumulation of heat stress. At the same time, productivity decreases by 2.3% for every additional degree Celsius above 19°C, while high temperatures significantly increase the risk of workplace accidents, industrial fires, and property damage.
The new edition of the EL.IN.Y.A.E. includes recommendations for the effective prevention of heat stress, such as:
- Organizing work by scheduling the most demanding tasks during the coolest hours of the day and establishing frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas.
- Gradual acclimatization of workers, particularly for those who are newly hired or returning after an absence.
- Technical measures, such as improved ventilation, shading, thermal insulation, and the use of microclimate indices, such as the WBGT.
- Continuous access to cool drinking water and training on the early recognition of symptoms of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
- Selection of appropriate, lightweight, and breathable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Particular emphasis is placed on groups of workers at increased risk, such as those employed in agriculture, construction, manufacturing, foundries, greenhouses, commercial kitchens, and other high-heat environments, as well as workers with chronic illnesses or other vulnerabilities.
Statement by the Chair of the Board of Directors of EL.IN.Y.A.E., Ms. Rena Bardani
“Heat stress is no longer a future challenge. It is a daily reality that affects the health, safety, and productivity of millions of workers. The extreme temperatures being recorded with increasing frequency in our country and throughout Europe demand heightened vigilance and a responsible approach from all of us, as the climate crisis is radically altering working conditions and requires immediate adaptation.
At EL.IN.Y.A.E., we are constantly investing in the production of scientifically substantiated knowledge and the development of modern tools that support businesses and workers in the prevention of occupational hazards.