The heatwave that has hit Europe over the last week has seen temperatures in France top 40C, and the country is joining Spain and Italy in implementing new measures to protect those working outdoors from the effects of the heat, as deaths are reported across the continent.
Since 2000, the frequency of heatwaves has doubled in France, according to the country's meteorological agency Météo France.
A record number of heat alerts have been put in place across France in the past few days, with 16 regions, including Paris, placed on red alert for Tuesday, when temperatures topped 40C. Almost 1,900 schools were closed that day, and ecological transition minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher announced that 300 people had been given emergency treatment at hospitals.
She also announced there had been two heat-related deaths in France this week.
For workers exposed to extreme heat – such as roofers, bakers, landscapers and construction workers – this brings significant health risks. In addition to dehydration and heat stroke, conditions including hypertension, kidney disease and cardiovascular diseases are exacerbated by heat.
France prepares for peak temperatures amid Europe-wide heatwave
On Monday, trade unions attributed the death of a construction worker near the Italian city of Bologna to the heat. Outdoor work was banned in some Italian regions during the hottest hours of the day as Italy issued heatwave red alerts for 17 cities, including Milan and Rome.
In Barcelona, Spanish authorities are investigating whether the death of a street sweeper at the weekend was heat-related.
Protective measures
To better protect outdoor workers and those exposed to extreme heat, France’s labour ministry implemented a new decree on 1 July. In the case of a heatwave, employers are now required to strengthen protective measures, including providing three litres of fresh water per day per person, more frequent breaks, changing work hours and suspending strenuous tasks.
Almost 70 percent of the world's workforce – 2.4 billion people – is exposed to excessive heat every year. According to estimates by the International Labour Organisation (ILO), this damages the health of more than 22 million people.
Scorching weather grips France as southern Europe faces first heatwave of summer
"Workplace safety legislation has long provided for protection against extreme temperatures. But it's clear that, regarding the intensifying heat due to climate change, these provisions often remain too general and no longer correspond to current realities," Dafne Papandrea of the ILO told RFI.
She added that African countries too have begun taking protective measures. "Tunisia, Namibia and Mauritius have officially recognised certain heat-related illnesses as occupational diseases. South Africa and Mozambique have set temperature thresholds above which measures must be taken, such as stopping certain types of activity."
(with newswires)
