Story perspectives

EU urged to mandate heat-risk assessments for 130 M workers

6/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

The European Trade Union Institute called for EU legislation requiring mandatory heat-risk assessments in workplaces.
The institute presented its heat-risk report on Thursday, estimating that about 130 million European workers are exposed to heat stress.
The report attributes roughly 277 000 heat-related injuries and 230 deaths each year to those conditions.
Researchers say productivity falls about 2 % per 1 °C above 16 °C and argue assessments should include humidity and wind speed.

1 of 1

Story summary

The European Trade Union Institute called for EU legislation requiring mandatory heat-risk assessments in workplaces.
The institute presented its heat-risk report on Thursday, estimating that about 130 million European workers are exposed to heat stress.
The report attributes roughly 277 000 heat-related injuries and 230 deaths each year to those conditions.
Researchers say productivity falls about 2 % per 1 °C above 16 °C and argue assessments should include humidity and wind speed.