As temperatures continue to rise, the Inspectorate of Labour and Mines (ITM) is reminding employers and workers of the measures that should be taken to reduce the risks associated with hot weather and heatwaves.
Outdoor Work
For work carried out outdoors, employers are encouraged to:
- Provide shaded and well-ventilated rest areas whenever possible.
- Ensure workers have continuous access to drinking water. Depending on the type of work, employees may need between 3 and 4 litres of water per day. Drinking small amounts regularly throughout the day is recommended.
- Limit physically demanding tasks, especially those performed in direct sunlight or near heat-retaining surfaces such as metal, concrete, or asphalt.
- Use mechanical equipment whenever possible to reduce heavy manual handling and other strenuous activities.
- Check that personal protective equipment (PPE) remains suitable and safe to wear in hot conditions.
- Encourage workers to wear appropriate clothing, including:
- Light-coloured, lightweight and breathable clothing;
- Head protection that shields the neck from the sun;
- Sunglasses and sunscreen where necessary.
- Use air-conditioned vehicles and machinery whenever available.
- Adapt PPE to hot weather where possible, for example by using safety shoes instead of safety boots.
Indoor Workplaces
To reduce heat exposure indoors, employers should:
- Regularly monitor workplace temperatures, particularly in enclosed areas.
- Improve protection against heat by using blinds, shutters, insulation, or solar-control films on windows.
- Place heat-generating equipment in dedicated, well-ventilated rooms and insulate hot surfaces and pipework where appropriate.
- Provide cooling measures such as portable fans.
- Make air-conditioned areas available whenever possible.
- Ensure employees have access to sufficient drinking water at a comfortable temperature (around 10–15°C).
Bad-Weather Unemployment Scheme
The ITM also reminds employers that Luxembourg labour law allows companies, under certain conditions, to apply for the bad-weather unemployment scheme. Information on eligibility criteria and application procedures is available through Guichet.lu.
The ITM encourages all employers to assess heat-related risks and take appropriate preventive measures to safeguard the health and safety of workers during periods of extreme heat.
