Germany's IG BAU demands stronger heat‑protection rules for outdoor workers

The German construction union IG BAU has called for binding heat‑protection regulations after a week of record temperatures. Union deputy chair Carsten Burckhardt warned that what many consider “unpleasant” can become a serious health hazard for construction, landscaping, forestry, quarry and cleaning staff. IG BAU backs the international “Too Hot To Work” campaign, urging limits on temperature, workload and adjusted work hours for outdoor jobs. The International Labour Organization estimates that about 2.4 billion workers worldwide are exposed to dangerous heat at work, with millions of heat‑related accidents and illnesses each year.

Germany’s Federal Ministry of Health has framed heat protection as “life protection,” noting roughly 3,000 heat‑related deaths in the 2023 and 2024 summers and an estimated 62,800 across Europe in 2024. The ministry highlights how high temperatures strain cardiovascular function, cause dehydration, and increase risks for those on medication, emphasizing the need for workplace measures and public awareness.