As climate change intensifies, so do its impacts on the daily lives of workers—especially those in physically demanding or outdoor jobs. From rising temperatures and heatwaves to storms and freezing conditions, extreme weather poses increasing risks to occupational health and safety (OSH) across the European Union. Yet the full scale and uneven distribution of these risks remain poorly understood.
Visionary Analytics, commissioned by the European Parliament’s Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL), is leading a new study that aims to generate robust, EU-wide evidence on how extreme weather affects workers’ health, safety, and productivity. The research focuses on identifying the most affected sectors and regions, the vulnerabilities of specific worker groups, and the economic costs of climate-related OSH incidents. In doing so, it will also examine the adequacy of current legislation and propose actionable ways forward.
The study pursues six core objectives:
- Identify key OSH risks linked to extreme weather across sectors, regions, and worker groups;
- Assess impacts on health, well-being, and productivity, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as seasonal, migrant, and older workers;
- Evaluate the economic burden of weather-related incidents for both workers and employers;
- Analyse the fitness of the EU’s current OSH legislative and policy frameworks;
- Compare national-level approaches, including prevention strategies, labour inspection, and social dialogue;
- Deliver evidence-based recommendations to strengthen prevention, governance, and monitoring of climate-related OSH risks.
The methodology includes a literature review, stakeholder interviews, policy analysis, quantitative assessment of incident and productivity data, and case studies in five EU Member States representing diverse climates and policy contexts.
By connecting occupational safety with the realities of climate change, this project aims to inform better policy, stronger protections, and a more resilient workforce across Europe. Stay tuned for updates and findings from this timely initiative.
The project is expected to be finished by October 2025.
