Introduction

In a press release issued on 8 August 2020, the Ministry of Health announced a red alert (ie, warning of high temperatures) within the context of the Heat Wave Plan.

This article highlights the Labour and Mines Inspectorate's (ITM's) recommendations for employers in the event of high temperatures and heat waves.

Outdoor work

For outdoor work, employers should:

  • plan or set up shaded areas that are well ventilated if possible;
  • provide cool drinking water for those working on their premises. This must be in adequate quantities to allow workers to drink enough to compensate for dehydration (three or four litres of water per day, depending on the work). Workers should drink small amounts regularly;
  • reduce the number of workstations requiring sustained and prolonged physical activity near or in contact with sheet metal, concrete or tarred surfaces in direct sunlight;
  • provide mechanical assistance for heavy work (eg, handling machinery);
  • ensure that the wearing of personal protection is compatible with high temperatures (eg, using phytosanitary products, working in forests or pruning);
  • ensure that appropriate clothing is worn (for construction sites that do not require special personal protective clothing, this includes headgear protecting the neck, loose, light, airy, light-coloured clothing, sunglasses and sun cream if necessary);
  • promote the use of air-conditioned or self-propelled vehicles; and
  • adapt personal protective equipment to the heat if possible (eg, safety shoes rather than safety boots).

Workplaces

In the workplace, employers should:

  • monitor the ambient temperature, especially in enclosed spaces;
  • thermally insulate existing buildings or premises (eg, using blinds, shutters, wall insulation or sun protection films on glass walls);
  • set up equipment that produces heat in a dedicated, ventilated area and insulate walls or hot pipes to absorb heat or hot steam emissions;
  • provide staff with useful resources to combat the heat (eg, extra fans);
  • set up air-conditioned areas in the workplace; and
  • provide sufficient quantities of cool (ie, 10 to 15 degrees Celsius) drinking water.

Comment

The ITM highlights that Luxembourg labour law stipulates that companies may use, under certain conditions, the weather-related layoff scheme. The applicable procedures are available on the state's interactive secure platform, Guichet.lu.