Three of Europe’s largest trade unions, representing 12.6m workers across 40 countries, have urged the European Commission to codify heat‑protection limits. The proposal caps working temperatures at 30C for demanding tasks and 32.5C for low‑intensity roles, making employers liable to sanctions if limits are breached.

Data from the European Trade Union Institute shows that about 130m workers face heat stress each year, causing roughly 277,000 injuries and 230 deaths. Current regulations differ country‑by‑country, leaving many firms to self‑regulate without enforceable caps.

In the UK, the Trades Union Congress echoes the demand, noting a missing maximum temperature standard. They suggest cooling measures once temperatures rise above 24C, and allow workers to stop at 30C or 27C for manual or outdoor labor. A petition has gathered 64,000 signatures.

Implementing these limits will drive adoption of real‑time temperature sensors, digital compliance dashboards, and automated alert systems. Employers will need to retrofit HVAC, adjust shift schedules, and possibly deploy wearable thermometers. The result: safer, more productive work environments and a clear benchmark for climate‑responsive policy.