Heat stress and the labour force

Heat stress and the labour force

Heat stress affects the health of workers through physiological and behavioural responses, in turn, affecting the labour force through impacts on labour supply, labour productivity and labour capacity. In this Review, we explore the extent to which heat stress affects the labour force and discuss the corresponding occupational health and economic impacts. The relationship between labour force outcomes and temperature is largely nonlinear, declin…

Ireland heatwaves spark calls for paid days off and workplace shutdowns

Proposals put forward by an Irish union call for a statutory maximum working temperature, paid 'climate leave' during extreme weather, and workplace shutdowns in hazardous conditions to protect workers' safety.

Union proposes maximum working temperature and four days of ‘climate leave’

The union says a maximum working temperature should be set depending on the type of work and the working environment.

International Workers’ Memorial Day: New survey highlights need for ‘Extreme Weather’ legislation

Unite proposals include alert-dependent mandatory closures and ‘climate leave’ Time to climate-proof health and safety legislation  Union seeks meeting with Minister Peter Burke to discuss proposals Trade union Unite, which represents workers throughout Ireland, today (Monday 28 April – International Workers’ Memorial Day) released the results of a survey of union members carried out following Storm Éowyn together with a set of policies to prote…