Across Europe, climate change is no longer a distant challenge – it is reshaping the daily realities of work. Heatwaves, storms, floods, wildfires and cold spells are becoming more frequent and severe, placing increasing pressure on occupational safety and health (OSH) systems.
Commissioned by the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), this study provides an EU-wide, evidence-based assessment of how extreme weather affects workers, workplaces and labour markets across sectors and regions. With the project now completed, the findings offer a comprehensive picture of where vulnerabilities lie and what should change to ensure workers remain safe in a rapidly warming climate.
What we examined
The study explored climate-related OSH risks through multiple lenses – sectoral, regional, socioeconomic and legislative. It combined a literature review, desk research, statistical data analysis, interviews and case studies to assess:
- Which sectors and worker groups are the most vulnerable and exposed
- How heat, cold, storms, floods and wildfires affect health, safety and productivity
- The adequacy of existing EU and national OSH measures
- The preliminary economic burden of extreme weather, including productivity losses
- Opportunities for strengthening prevention, preparedness and policy alignment
Key insights
Heat emerged as the most urgent and widespread OSH hazard. Even moderate increases in temperature significantly affect labour productivity, with estimated annual costs reaching EUR 17 billion by 2030. Outdoor sectors – agriculture, construction, transport and emergency services – remain highly exposed, while indoor workplaces without adequate ventilation face rising heat risks.
Climate impacts are uneven. Southern and eastern EU Member States face the highest exposure, but all regions experience sector and occupation-specific vulnerabilities.
Certain groups are disproportionately affected. Migrant workers, the self-employed, platform workers, older individuals, people with chronic conditions, and workers in informal arrangements often lack access to adequate protections, training or cooling infrastructure.
National responses vary widely. Four types of policy approaches were identified, ranging from advanced integrated frameworks to emerging or fragmented systems. This diversity leads to uneven levels of worker protection across the EU.
Recommendations for a climate-resilient OSH system
The report puts forward a set of evidence-based proposals to ensure Europe’s workplaces are better prepared for intensifying climate impacts. These include:
- Strengthening data collection and harmonising EU-wide monitoring of weather-related OSH incidents
- Enhancing labour inspection capacity through targeted training and tools
- Supporting SMEs with practical guidance and sector-specific risk assessment templates
- Embedding OSH considerations into climate adaptation and public health strategies
- Improving protections for vulnerable workers through accessible communication and training
- Encouraging social dialogue to integrate weather-related measures into collective agreements
- Updating and clarifying EU legislation, including considering a dedicated instrument on occupational heat
- Avoiding maladaptation by prioritising engineering and organisational controls over individual responsibility
Why this matters
Climate change is reshaping not only environmental landscapes but also the fundamental conditions of work. Without coordinated, forward-looking action, existing OSH systems will struggle to keep pace with emerging risks. This study highlights the need for stronger EU-level alignment, improved enforcement and better preparedness – ensuring that all workers, regardless of sector or contract type, are protected as Europe adapts to a changing climate.
Learn more
You can access the full report and policy recommendations here.
If you have questions or would like to discuss the findings, feel free to get in touch.
