Credit: Pixabay

On Monday 30 June 2025, Luxembourg's Inspectorate of Labour and Mines (ITM) issued a series of recommendations for work carried out during periods of extreme heat.

For outdoor work, the ITM recommended the following:

  • provide or create shaded (and well-ventilated) areas;
  • employers must ensure workers at workstations have access to temperate drinking water in sufficient quantity to compensate for fluid loss (3 to 4 litres per day, depending on the work), with regular small sips encouraged;
  • reduce the number of workstations requiring prolonged physical activity near or in contact with metal sheets, concrete or tarmac surfaces, or in direct sunlight;
  • provide mechanical assistance for strenuous work, such as handling;
  • ensure that personal protective equipment is compatible with high temperatures (e.g. during plant protection treatments, forestry work, tree pruning, etc.)
  • ensure appropriate clothing is worn:
    • for construction sites without specific personal protective equipment requirements, this includes neck-covering headgear, loose-fitting, lightweight and breathable, light-coloured clothing, with sun-filtering glasses and sunscreen (if necessary);
    • opt for air-conditioned or self-propelled vehicles;
    • if possible, adapt personal protective equipment to heat (e.g. safety shoes instead of safety boots).

For indoor workplaces, the ITM advised the following measures:

  • monitor the ambient temperature, especially in enclosed spaces;
  • thermally insulate existing buildings or premises using blinds, shutters, wall insulation, solar-blocking films on glass walls;
  • work equipment: install heat-generating devices in a dedicated, ventilated area, insulate hot walls or pipes, capture heat or hot steam emissions, etc.;
  • provide staff with useful means to combat the heat (e.g. additional fans);
  • install air-conditioned areas in the workplace;
  • provide sufficient, temperate drinking water (10 to 15°C).

The ITM also recalled that Luxembourg labour law provides that companies may, under certain conditions, resort to the weather-related layoff scheme. Further details are available on the Guichet.lu platform.