Heat waves have become an increasingly common problem for construction workers, forcing companies to take measures to protect the health and safety of their employees. Let’s look at the example of France.
In Toulouse, Francewhere temperatures have reached 30 degrees in the shade, construction workers They have been forced to work under the scorching sun.
Hugo Pastorello, construction supervisor at Thomas et Danizan, explains: “It is a real problem because accidents have already occurred and we are trying to anticipate them.” The company has implemented a policy in which, once it is determined that it’s too hot in the place of construction, “we will send the workers home and they will continue to receive their pay as if they had worked“.
This measure not only protects the health of workers, but also makes economic sense. Studies have shown that When the temperature exceeds 32 degrees, labor productivity drops by 40%.
Diogo Bernardo, a worker at Thomas et Danizan, highlights the importance of these measures: “It is important to help the worker’s health, of us, of all. Because I’m young, but maybe there are people older than me and for them it’s more complicated.”
The increase in the frequency of heat waves attributed to global warmingsuggesting that this issue will continue to be a challenge for the construction industry for years to come.
Construction companies are not the only ones that must adapt. Employers in all industries are required to comply with certain regulations to protect their workers during periods of extreme heat.
Evolution of heat waves in Europe
Las heat waves in Europe have experienced a significant increase in frequency, intensity and duration in recent decades, a trend that scientists attribute directly to climate change.
According to data from the European Environment Agency (EEA), The frequency of heat waves in Europe has tripled since the 1960s. Some of the most notable events include:
- The heat wave of 2003which mainly affected Western Europe and caused more than 70,000 deaths.
- Summer 2018which was one of the warmest recorded in northern and central Europe.
- The heat wave of 2019which set new temperature records in several countries, including France, where 46°C was reached.
- Summer 2022which was the warmest on record in Europe, with temperatures exceeding 40°C in the UK for the first time in history.
Climate models project this trend to continue. By the end of the 21st centuryit is expected that the extreme heat waveswhich used to occur once every 50 years, may occur every two or three years if greenhouse gas emissions are not significantly reduced.
It is increase in heat waves not only affects human health and labor productivityl, but also has significant impacts on agriculture, ecosystems and infrastructure. As a result, Governments and businesses across Europe are starting to implement adaptation strategiesfrom improving early warning systems to changing work practices and urban planning.
The evolution of heat waves in Europe highlights the urgency of addressing climate change y the need for all sectors of societyincluding construction, adapt to this new climate reality.
