With rising temperatures, the risk of heat stress, exhaustion, sunstroke and heat stroke also increases, especially for people who work outdoors or in vehicles without suitable conditions.

In the Transport sector, many workers spend long hours under direct sunlight, in hot environments or in conditions of high physical exertion. This requires timely and real measures on the part of employers.

In Bulgaria, the requirements for the microclimate of the workplace are regulated in Ordinance No. RD-07-3 of 18.07.2014, and employers are obliged to assess the risk and ensure safe working conditions.

Among the necessary measures are:

➡️ appropriate organization of the work process and working hours, including more frequent and sufficient breaks;

➡️ adaptation of workplaces to the conditions of high temperatures;

➡️ provision of personal protective equipment when working outdoors;

➡️ provision of suitable work clothing;

➡️ establishment of areas for rest and cooling;

➡️ sufficient drinking water, cold drinks and fluids to restore the water-salt balance;

➡️ provision of monitoring or communication tools for those working in isolated areas;

➡️ access to pre-medical and first aid, as well as the possibility of rapid transport in case of sudden deterioration.

Although the regulations do not specify concrete temperature limits for outdoor work, this does not relieve employers of responsibility. They are obliged to monitor conditions, assess risks and take measures, including during announced yellow and red alerts for dangerous weather.

The implementation of these measures must not be formal. It is key to preventing accidents, damage to health and loss of work capacity during the summer months.

FTTU calls on employers to monitor the meteorological situation and organize work in such a way as to protect the life, health and safety of workers.