European Union workers face rising heat‑related health risks

A European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU‑OSHA) study finds that one in five workers across the EU is exposed to high temperatures while on the job, making extreme heat the fastest‑growing occupational risk linked to climate change.

The sectors most affected are agriculture and construction, followed by transport, manufacturing, emergency services and tourism. According to the Eurofound 2024 European Working Conditions Survey, 68 % of agricultural workers and 52 % of construction workers report exposure to high heat for at least a quarter of their working time. Overall exposure has risen from 13 % of workers in 1995 to 21 % in 2024.

Skilled agricultural labourers are the most exposed profession (72 %); other groups with elevated exposure include skilled trades (53 %), plant and machine operators (42 %) and unskilled workers (40 %). Men are more likely to face heat exposure than women (34 % vs 18 %). Seasonal, migrant and self‑employed workers often have weaker protections.

Prolonged heat can cause dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke and aggravate cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. It also reduces concentration and reaction time, increasing the risk of workplace accidents.