[Spain] Ban for outdoor work in extreme heat

Spain intends to enforce a ban on outdoor work during periods of extreme heat, WOKV reports.

Second Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz announced the plan to reporters on May 10, telling them the government will modify legislation covering occupational risks to prohibit outdoor work when AEMET - the state weather agency - issues red or orange alerts.

AEMET frequently issues such alerts when temperature increases pose a risk for citizens outdoors or for the environment.

2022 was Spain's hottest year since record-keeping started in 1961 and last month was the hottest and driest April on record.

Much of the country is experiencing drought and water reserves have reportedly dropped below 50 per cent.

Ms Díaz - who also serves as labour minister - said that the modifications would be announced by Spain’s Cabinet but offered no further details.

The government held a special Cabinet meeting on drought measures on May 11.

Information has yet to be released on how the measure announced by Ms Díaz would apply to workers such as farmers, farmhands, police officers, firefighters, gardeners or cleaners.

In regions accustomed to high temperatures, such as southern Andalusia, construction workers reportedly work only morning hours during the summer already.

In 2022, a temporary street cleaner died of a heat stroke while working in Madrid.

Source: WOKV

(Links via original reporting)

Spain intends to enforce a ban on outdoor work during periods of extreme heat, WOKV reports.

Second Deputy Prime Minister Yolanda Díaz announced the plan to reporters on May 10, telling them the government will modify legislation covering occupational risks to prohibit outdoor work when AEMET - the state weather agency - issues red or orange alerts.

AEMET frequently issues such alerts when temperature increases pose a risk for citizens outdoors or for the environment.

2022 was Spain's hottest year since record-keeping started in 1961 and last month was the hottest and driest April on record.

Much of the country is experiencing drought and water reserves have reportedly dropped below 50 per cent.

Ms Díaz - who also serves as labour minister - said that the modifications would be announced by Spain’s Cabinet but offered no further details.

The government held a special Cabinet meeting on drought measures on May 11.

Information has yet to be released on how the measure announced by Ms Díaz would apply to workers such as farmers, farmhands, police officers, firefighters, gardeners or cleaners.

In regions accustomed to high temperatures, such as southern Andalusia, construction workers reportedly work only morning hours during the summer already.

In 2022, a temporary street cleaner died of a heat stroke while working in Madrid.

Source: WOKV

(Links via original reporting)