The Inspectorate of Labour and Mines (ITM) would like to remind you of some recommendations to keep your employees safe at work.

If your workers are working outside:

• set up or foresee shaded and well ventilated areas;
• provide them with temperate drinking water in sufficient quantity to compensate for water loss (3 to 4 litres of water per day, depending on the type of work). Workers should drink small amounts of water regularly;
• reduce workstations that require sustained physical activity and prolonged exposure to or contact with metal sheets, concrete or tarmac surfaces in direct sunlight;
• provide mechanical assistance for heavy work (e.g. handling);
• ensure that the use of personal protective equipment is compatible with high temperatures (plant protection treatment, forestry work, pruning, etc.);
• ensure that appropriate clothing is worn:
  • for construction sites that do not require protective clothing, provide headgear to protect the neck, loose-fitting, light, airy, light-coloured clothing and sunscreen, etc.;
  • if possible, adapt personal protective equipment to the heat: safety shoes rather than safety boots;
  • give preference to the use of air-conditioned vehicles.

If your employees work indoors:

• monitor the ambient temperature, especially in closed rooms;
• insulate existing buildings or rooms (blinds, shutters, wall insulation, sun protection film on glass walls, etc.);
• also pay attention to work equipment: install equipment that gives off heat in a dedicated, ventilated room, insulate walls or hot pipes, capture heat or hot vapour emissions, etc.;
• provide staff with useful means of combating the heat (e.g. additional fans);
• install air-conditioned areas in the workplace;
• provide drinking water in sufficient quantities at a moderate temperature (10 or 15°C).

Luxembourg labour law provides that companies may, under certain conditions, resort to the weather-related layoff scheme.

For more details on this scheme, please consult our explanatory information page.