One in three Greek workers has been exposed to extreme heat in the workplace – well above the EU average of one in five – according to the country’s workplace safety institute.
In a new publication, the Hellenic Institute for Health and Safety at Work (ELINYAE) issued what it described as “practical and immediately applicable solutions” for businesses and employees to reduce heat stress risks.
The guidance targets high-risk sectors such as agriculture, construction, industry, foundries, greenhouses and professional kitchens, as well as workers with chronic health conditions or other vulnerabilities.
Recommended measures include rescheduling physically demanding tasks to cooler hours, ensuring frequent breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas, and allowing gradual acclimatization for new or returning staff.
The institute also highlights technical interventions such as improved ventilation, shading, thermal insulation and the use of microclimate indicators like wet-bulb globe temperature.
