Dutch workplaces not ready for rising heat, labor union warns

Dutch workplaces are not prepared for increasingly hot summers, labor union CNV said after surveying 1,500 workers who must be physically present at their jobs. The survey included employees in construction, industry, and health care.

More than half of the workers surveyed said they perform heavy physical work during extreme heat. The survey found that 56 percent believe high temperatures create unsafe conditions. Nearly one-quarter said they had personally experienced an unsafe situation caused by heat.

CNV said many employers do not have heat plans in place. The union said employers often fail to adjust work schedules when temperatures rise. Many workers also do not receive additional breaks during periods of extreme heat.

The union said workers experience heat-related symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, and nausea.

“It is time for employers to take responsibility and introduce a proper heat protocol,” CNV board member Justine Feitsma said. “There are policies for snow, hail, and slippery conditions. But nothing is arranged for heat. That is strange, especially with increasingly hotter summers.”

CNV said lawmakers in The Hague should require employers to take measures during extreme heat. The union proposed steps including adjusted working hours, additional rest periods, cooling measures, and suspending work when conditions become unsafe.

“Climate change is making extreme heat increasingly normal,” Feitsma said. “Our legislation is falling behind. Workers deserve the same protection from heat as they receive from other dangerous working and weather conditions. It is time for The Hague to finally properly regulate this.”