With the onset of summer heat and high temperatures, the risk of accidents and health problems in the workplace, particularly during outdoor work, significantly increases. Employers are responsible for ensuring a safe and healthy working environment and must take specific measures to prevent health issues related to high temperatures.

In the transport sector, workers are often inside vehicles or outdoors for prolonged periods, exposed to direct sunlight, high temperatures, and heat stress.

In Bulgaria, the requirements for the microclimate of the workplace are regulated by Ordinance No. RD-07-3 of 18.07.2014;

Establishing an appropriate organization of the work process and/or working hours, including providing breaks of appropriate frequency and duration; Establishing an appropriate organization of workplaces; Providing protective equipment for outdoor work, particularly regarding the risk of sunstroke/heatstroke; Providing appropriate work clothing; Providing rest areas with suitable conditions for restoring the body's thermal balance; Sufficient drinking water, as well as cold drinks and other liquids to restore the water-salt and thermal balance of the body; Providing monitoring or communication means for outdoor workers in isolated workplaces; Providing pre-medical and first aid, as well as appropriate transport for workers with sudden deterioration in health condition to receive medical assistance. Unfortunately, there are no legally defined temperature limits for outdoor work, but the employer is obliged to assess the risk and take appropriate measures, including complying with the issued yellow and red alerts for dangerous weather.

The systematic implementation of these measures is key to reducing the risk of accidents, poor health, and loss of working capacity when working in the transport sector during the summer months.

FTTU appeals to employers to monitor meteorological conditions and organize labor in a way that avoids accidents and injuries.