EU pushes for workplace cooling breaks amid record heatwave

A heatwave sweeping Europe, with temperatures above 30 °C in Ireland and forecasts of over 35 °C for millions across the bloc, has heightened concerns over workplace safety. In Ireland, the unprecedented five‑day heat advisory has sparked debate over the lack of a legal upper temperature limit for workplaces. Labour spokesperson Marie Sherlock and trade unions are urging the adoption of EU‑wide rules that would require employers to provide cooling measures, similar to regulations already in place in Germany and Spain.

The European Trade Union Confederation, representing 45 million workers, has called on the European Commission to enshrine a right to paid cooling breaks. ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch highlighted that accident risk rises by up to seven percent when temperatures exceed 30 °C and up to fifteen percent above 38 °C. While the EU currently issues non‑binding guidance on heat‑related workplace adaptations, unions argue that statutory breaks are needed to protect workers such as builders, fruit pickers, and bus drivers from the dangers of extreme heat.