Heat stress

During the summer months, high temperatures and humidity can pose a serious health and safety risk to workers, exposing them to the risk of heat stress and increasing the likelihood of dehydration, exhaustion, muscle cramps and, in severe cases, heatstroke. 

 

The workers most at risk are:

 

  • outdoor workers, in construction, agriculture, floriculture, waste collection, home delivery and emergency services, who are exposed to both heat and direct UV rays. 
  • indoor workers in closed and overheated environments, in manufacturing, healthcare, catering and animal husbandry, often engaged in intense physical activity and required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) that prevents the evacuation of body heat. 

Risks can be further increased by factors that can be personal (age, health status, use of medication, chronic conditions), organisational (long shifts, few breaks, lack of water, shade or ventilation) and environmental (direct exposure to the sun). There should be a special focus on the most vulnerable people, including seasonal workers, temporary workers, elderly people, foreign workers engaged in strenuous activities, with limited language skills and poor health and safety training. 

Health effects

The human body needs to maintain a stable temperature. Prolonged exposure to heat can cause:

dehydration 
the body loses fluids and minerals, leading to fatigue, tachycardia, low blood pressure and dry skin 
heat cramps 
painful muscle spasms, often localised in the legs and abdomen
heat syncope 
fainting due to a drop in blood pressure, accompanied by dizziness and paleness 
heat exhaustion 
excessive sweating, weakness, nausea, confusion, with body temperature above 38 °C 
heatstroke 
a very serious medical emergency in which the body temperature exceeds 40 °C, with risk of fainting, convulsions and permanent organ damage
High temperatures, besides being harmful to health, can increase the risk of accidents at work, because they impair attention, slow down reflexes, alter risk perception, compromise the effectiveness of PPE and increase the absorption of hazardous chemicals by the body. 
Environment, climate and health
Heat waves
A heat wave occurs when very high temperatures persist for several consecutive days, accompanied by high humidity, strong solar radiation, and a lack of ventilation.

Measures

To protect the health and safety of workers, Puglia Region has implemented specific measures (set out in the Order of the President of the Regional Government No. 350 of 18 June 2025), providing for restrictions, during the summer of 2025, in the sectors most at risk of heat stress (agriculture, construction, floriculture), tightening protection requirements for vulnerable workers and introducing penalties for non-compliance. 
For employers

In collaboration with the RSPP Officer (Prevention and Protection Service Officer) and the company’s occupational physician, employers must: 

  • assess and update the Risk Assessment Document, taking into account the weather reports and heat indexes 
  • ensure a constant supply of fresh, easily accessible drinking water 
  • encourage regular breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas 
  • provide for gradual introduction to work in the event of heat waves 
  • provide adequate heat recovery systems in temporary accommodation 
  • provide training and information to all staff, including multilingual materials 
  • prepare a heat stress monitoring plan, with simple and precise instructions for dealing with emergencies. 
For workers

Workers have a duty to protect themselves and to cooperate with their employer and superiors. It is essential that they adopt proper behaviour, such as hydrating regularly, avoiding alcohol and sugary drinks, following a balanced diet and promptly recognising any symptoms of dehydration or heatstroke, reporting any suspicious situations. They must also use breaks to cool down, removing PPE when possible and using shaded or ventilated areas. 

For occupational physicians

In collaboration with the RSPP Officer (Prevention and Protection Service Officer) and the company’s occupational physician, employers must: 

  • assess and update the Risk Assessment Document, taking into account the weather reports and heat indexes 
  • ensure a constant supply of fresh, easily accessible drinking water 
  • encourage regular breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas 
  • provide for gradual introduction to work in the event of heat waves 
  • provide adequate heat recovery systems in temporary accommodation 
  • provide training and information to all staff, including multilingual materials 
  • prepare a heat stress monitoring plan, with simple and precise instructions for dealing with emergencies. 
For supervisors

In collaboration with the RSPP Officer (Prevention and Protection Service Officer) and the company’s occupational physician, employers must: 

  • assess and update the Risk Assessment Document, taking into account the weather reports and heat indexes 
  • ensure a constant supply of fresh, easily accessible drinking water 
  • encourage regular breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas 
  • provide for gradual introduction to work in the event of heat waves 
  • provide adequate heat recovery systems in temporary accommodation 
  • provide training and information to all staff, including multilingual materials 
  • prepare a heat stress monitoring plan, with simple and precise instructions for dealing with emergencies. 

Workplace heat emergency

As temperatures rise, so do workplace health risks. Prevention is a duty. Taking action is a shared responsibility.