Trade unions across Europe are calling for stronger EU legislation to protect workers from extreme heat, warning that rising temperatures linked to climate change are creating growing risks in workplaces across the continent

The appeal comes ahead of International Workers Memorial Day, when the labour movement honours people who have lost their lives at work.

The message will be delivered to representatives of the European Commission during a conference in Brussels organised by the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and the European Trade Union Institute (ETUI). Worker representatives are expected to present evidence supporting the need for binding rules requiring employers to work with unions on practical protections such as drinking water, access to shade and rest breaks during high temperatures.

According to figures cited by the unions, heat-related workplace fatalities in the EU have risen by 42% since 2000, the fastest increase of any world region. The number of people exposed to heatwaves while working has also increased by 60% over the last two decades. Nearly 47% of workers say they have felt too hot at work, while only 15% say action has been taken to protect them.

The unions also note that when temperatures rise above 30°C, the risk of workplace accidents increases by 5% to 7%. When temperatures exceed 38°C, accidents become 10% to 15% more likely.

In 2023, the European Commission issued guidance outlining employers’ responsibilities toward workers exposed to high temperatures. However, trade union research says many employers have shown reluctance to introduce preventive measures or include heat-specific protections in collective bargaining agreements.

The ETUC said this contributed to a number of preventable deaths during the previous summer, including an agricultural worker in Spain who died after harvesting fruit in temperatures above 40°C, two construction workers who collapsed from heat stroke, and a 50-year-old employee in France whose body temperature rose to 42.9°C while working in a distribution centre.

As a result, the ETUC is urging the EU to include legislation on maximum working temperatures in the forthcoming Quality Jobs Act.

Esther Lynch, General Secretary of the ETUC, said, "Deaths from heat at work are not accidents - they are predictable and preventable, yet too many employers are still failing to take the risk seriously. For many years now, our affiliates have been reporting tragic cases of workers dying as a result of exposure to extreme heat. These deaths are occurring across a wide range of sectors, including street cleaning, forestry, agriculture, construction, and even in indoor environments such as industry. Their loss underlines the urgent need to act."

“While the European Commission has taken steps in recent years, including issuing guidance, the reality on the ground is clear: guidance alone is not enough. As our members systematically report us, every summer, workers continue to fall ill, suffer accidents, and in the worst cases, lose their lives. This situation calls for urgent legislative action.”

Giulio Romani, ETUC Confederal Secretary, added, "Occupational heat is no longer an emerging issue - it is already a daily reality for millions of workers across Europe. As we have heard, this is not only about discomfort; it is about health, safety, and, increasingly, loss of life. There is, importantly, a window of opportunity. The ongoing work on the Quality Jobs Act provides a political space to integrate stronger protections for workers facing extreme weather conditions. This could be a key avenue to ensure that climate resilience becomes an integral part of quality employment in Europe."

Construction activity at Expo 2030 Riyadh has reached a new stage of development with the award of two additional main utilities and infrastructure packages to Al Yamama Company, strengthening the focus on safety as works scale up across the 6 million sq m site.

The latest contracts follow earlier infrastructure works awarded to Nesma & Partners, and form part of a wider programme to prepare the site for future construction phases. These include internal road networks, smart mobility systems, and the installation of essential utilities such as water, sewage, electricity, telecommunications and EV charging infrastructure.

Beyond enabling development, safety remains a central priority across all operations. Project teams have already recorded more than one million safe working hours without a lost time incident, a milestone highlighted by organisers as evidence of strict adherence to health, safety and environmental (HSE) standards.

Talal Al-Marri, CEO of Expo 2030 Riyadh, said the new awards reflect continued progress across the programme while reinforcing safety expectations. “As construction advances, maintaining the highest levels of health and safety is non-negotiable,” he said. “These new packages build on strong momentum across the project, while ensuring that every phase of delivery is carried out with strict compliance to safety, quality and environmental standards.”

He added that contractor selection is based not only on technical capability but also on a proven commitment to worker welfare. “We are working with partners who share our safety culture and understand that responsible delivery is essential to achieving a world-class Expo,” he said.

From the contractor side, Hamad Mohammad Al Ammar, Board Member and Vice President of Al Yamama Company, emphasised safety as a core operational principle. “We are proud to contribute to Expo 2030 Riyadh through these infrastructure packages,” he said. “Our commitment goes beyond delivery timelines; it is rooted in ensuring safe working environments, strong HSE compliance, and sustainable construction practices at every stage.”

With infrastructure works progressing in phases, organisers say the project continues to prioritise safe execution as a foundation for long-term success.

The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered a New Mexico-based inspection company to reinstate and compensate a terminated worker who reported safety concerns during installation of a natural gas pipeline in Watonga, Oklahoma

The department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigated a whistleblower complaint filed against Legacy Energy and Distribution LLC that alleged a construction crew was installing a pipeline without following federal regulations. The complainant used “stop work authority” to halt the installation and contacted an independent, third-party testing company to verify observed concerns, which Legacy later confirmed as valid. Legacy subsequently fired the inspector, alleging failure to follow the established chain of command and complete the probationary period.

OSHA determined that Legacy wrongfully terminated the inspector for engaging in protected activities under the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act, which protects employees from retaliation for reporting violations of federal laws related to pipeline safety and security. OSHA ordered Legacy to reinstate the employee and pay back wages, interest, and compensatory damages, totalling more than US$35,000.

OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program enforces protections for employees who suffer retaliation for engaging in protected activities under more than 20 federal laws.

All federal agencies are required to establish procedures to ensure that no employee suffers retaliation for reporting unsafe or unhealthy working conditions, or for otherwise engaging in safety or health activities.

Federal employees who believe that they have suffered retaliation for disclosing a violation of a law, rule, or regulation, gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority, and/or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, may file a complaint with the Office of Special Counsel (OSC).