Employer obligations in the event of high temperatures

Last update

Summary:

Employers must protect the health and safety of their employees in all work-related situations. They therefore also have obligations in the event of high temperatures and heatwaves.

During periods of high temperatures in Luxembourg, the occupational hazard is real and recognised under Luxembourg law. Under the Labour Code, employers are required, as part of their responsibilities, to assess occupational risks and take the necessary measures to ensure the health and safety of all staff. This includes adapting the working conditions during heatwaves to protect their employees from this weather phenomenon.

The Inspectorate of Labour and Mines (ITM) has issued recommendations, distinguishing between:

  • work carried out outdoors; and
  • workstations inside premises.

In the event of exceptional heat, employers may also invoke weather-related work stoppages when their employees' work becomes hazardous to their health and safety.

Who is concerned

Any employer, whether a legal or natural person, who employs staff.

How to proceed

Outdoor work

For work carried out outdoors, employers must:

  • provide or set up shaded areas that are well-ventilated, where possible;
  • provide workers 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). It is recommended that workers drink small amounts regularly;
  • limit workstations that require a sustained and prolonged physical effort near or in contact with metal, concrete or tarmac surfaces in direct sunlight;
  • provide mechanical assistance for heavy work such as manual 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 on construction sites where no personal protective gear is required (headgear to protect the neck, loose-fitting, lightweight, breathable and light-coloured clothing, and where necessary, sunglasses that filter out the sun's rays and sun cream, etc.):
  • give priority to the use of air-conditioned vehicles or self-propelled machinery;
  • where possible, adapt personal protective equipment to the hot conditions (e.g. safety shoes rather than safety boots).

Indoor work

For indoor workstations, employers must:

  • monitor the ambient temperature, especially in enclosed spaces;
  • insulate existing buildings or rooms (blinds, shutters, wall insulation, sun protection film on glass walls, etc.).

With regard to work equipment, employers must:

  • install any heat-emitting devices or appliances in a dedicated and ventilated room;
  • insulate hot walls or pipes;
  • capture heat or hot steam emissions;
  • provide their staff with appropriate means to combat the heat (e.g. additional fans);
  • install air-conditioned areas in the workplace;
  • provide sufficient quantities of drinking water at a moderate temperature (10 or 15°C).

Weather-related layoff

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

  • this scheme is reserved for companies in the building and civil engineering sectors, as well as related craft trades;
  • normal work must take place on construction sites;
  • workers are no longer able to carry out their work because:
    • the workplace is inaccessible; or
    • carrying out the work is impossible or dangerous due to adverse weather conditions (rain, cold, snow, frost, thaw or exceptional heat).

The employer must submit a temporary weather-related layoff declaration to ADEM's Service Maintien de l'Emploi (job protection unit).

Who to contact

  • Inspectorate of Labour and Mines (ITM)

    Address:
    3, rue des Primeurs L-2361 Strassen
    B.P. 27, L-2010 Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 76 100
    Fax:
    (+352) 247 96 100
    Email address:
    contact@itm.etat.lu
    Website:
    https://itm.public.lu/en.html
    Open ⋅ Closes at 12.00
    Thursday:
    8.30 to 12.00 et 13.30 to 16.30
    Friday:
    8.30 to 12.00 et 13.30 to 16.30
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.30 to 12.00 et 13.30 to 16.30
    Tuesday:
    8.30 to 12.00 et 13.30 to 16.30
    Wednesday:
    8.30 to 12.00 et 13.30 to 16.30

  • Inspectorate of Labour and Mines (ITM)

    Regional Office Diekirch

    Address:
    2, rue Clairefontaine L-9220 Diekirch Luxembourg
    B.P. 27, L-2010 Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 76 100
    Fax:
    (+352) 247 96 100
    Website:
    https://itm.public.lu/fr/nous-connaitre/guichets/diekirch.html
    Open Closes at 12.00
    Thursday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 13.30 to 16.30
    Friday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 13.30 to 16.30
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 13.30 to 16.30
    Tuesday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 13.30 to 16.30
    Wednesday:
    Closed

  • Inspectorate of Labour and Mines (ITM)

    Regional Office Esch-sur-Alzette

    Address:
    1, boulevard de la Porte de France L-4360 Esch-sur-Alzette Luxembourg
    B.P. 27, L-2010 Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 76 100
    Fax:
    (+352) 247 96 100
    Website:
    https://itm.public.lu/fr/nous-connaitre/guichets/esch-alzette.html
    Open Closes at 12.00
    Thursday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 13.30 to 16.30
    Friday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 13.30 to 16.30
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 13.30 to 16.30
    Tuesday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 13.30 to 16.30
    Wednesday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 13.30 to 16.30

  • Inspectorate of Labour and Mines (ITM)

    Regional Office Strassen

    Address:
    3, rue des Primeurs L-2361 Strassen Luxembourg
    B.P. 27, L-2010 Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 76 100
    Fax:
    (+352) 247 96 100
    Website:
    https://itm.public.lu/fr/nous-connaitre/guichets/strassen.html
    Open Closes at 12.00
    Thursday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 13.30 to 16.30
    Friday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 13.30 to 16.30
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 13.30 to 16.30
    Tuesday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 13.30 to 16.30
    Wednesday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 13.30 to 16.30

  • Inspectorate of Labour and Mines (ITM)

    Regional Office Wiltz

    Address:
    20, route de Winseler L-9577 Wiltz Luxembourg
    B.P. 27, L-2010 Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 76 100
    Fax:
    (+352) 247 96 100
    Website:
    https://itm.public.lu/fr/nous-connaitre/guichets/wiltz.html
    Closed ⋅ Opens Wednesday at 8.30
    Thursday:
    Closed
    Friday:
    Closed
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    Closed
    Tuesday:
    Closed
    Wednesday:
    8.30 to 12.00, 13.30 to 16.30

2 of 5 bodies shown

  • National Employment Agency (ADEM)

    Address:
    Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 88 888
    Contact Center for job seekers
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 88 000
    Contact Center for employers
    Website:
    https://adem.public.lu/en.html
    Contact form

  • National Employment Agency (ADEM)

    Career Guidance Department (ADEM-OP) in the Maison de l’orientation, Diekirch

    Address:
    7, avenue de la Gare L-9233 Diekirch Luxembourg
    B.P. 7, L-9201 Diekirch
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 65 430
    Website:
    https://adem.public.lu/fr/orientation-professionnelle.html
    Open Closes at 12.00
    Thursday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Friday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Tuesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Wednesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Contact form

  • National Employment Agency (ADEM)

    Career Guidance Department (ADEM-OP) in the Maison de l’orientation, Luxembourg

    Address:
    29, rue Aldringen L-1118 Luxembourg Luxembourg
    B.P. 19, L-2926 Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 85 480
    Website:
    https://adem.public.lu/fr/orientation-professionnelle.html
    Open Closes at 12.00
    Thursday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Friday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Tuesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Wednesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Contact form

  • National Employment Agency (ADEM)

    Contact Centre for job seekers

    Address:
    Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 88 888
    Open Closes at 12.30
    Thursday:
    8.00 to 12.30, 13.00 to 17.00
    Friday:
    8.00 to 12.30, 13.00 to 17.00
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.00 to 12.30, 13.00 to 17.00
    Tuesday:
    8.00 to 12.30, 13.00 to 17.00
    Wednesday:
    8.00 to 12.30, 13.00 to 17.00

  • National Employment Agency (ADEM)

    Diekirch Agency

    Address:
    2, rue de Clairefontaine L-9220 Diekirch Luxembourg
    B.P. 7, L-9201 Diekirch
    Open Closes at 12.00
    Thursday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Friday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Tuesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Wednesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00

  • National Employment Agency (ADEM)

    Differdange Agency

    Address:
    4, place Marie-Paule Molitor-Peffer L-4549 Differdange Luxembourg
    B.P. 5, L-4501 Differdange
    Open Closes at 12.00
    Thursday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Friday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Tuesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Wednesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00

  • National Employment Agency (ADEM)

    Esch-sur-Alzette Agency

    Address:
    1, Porte de France L-4360 Esch-sur-Alzette Luxembourg
    B.P. 289 L-4003 Esch-sur-Alzette
    Open Closes at 12.00
    Thursday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Friday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Tuesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Wednesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00

  • National Employment Agency (ADEM)

    Luxembourg Agency

    Address:
    13A, rue de Bitbourg L-1273 Luxembourg-Hamm Luxembourg
    B.P. 2208, L-1022 Luxembourg
    Open Closes at 12.00
    Thursday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Friday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Tuesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Wednesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00

  • National Employment Agency (ADEM)

    Main office in Luxembourg-Hamm

    Address:
    19, rue de Bitbourg L-1273 Luxembourg-Hamm Luxembourg
    B.P. 2208, L-1022 Luxembourg
    Open Closes at 12.00
    Thursday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Friday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Tuesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Wednesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00

  • National Employment Agency (ADEM)

    Questions concerning the Skills-Plang

    Address:
    Luxembourg
    Phone:
    (+352) 247 88 000
    Contact Centre for employers
    Email address:
    info.sal@adem.etat.lu
    Open Closes at 12.30
    Thursday:
    8.00 to 12.30, 13.00 to 17.00
    Friday:
    8.00 to 12.30, 13.00 to 17.00
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.00 to 12.30, 13.00 to 17.00
    Tuesday:
    8.00 to 12.30, 13.00 to 17.00
    Wednesday:
    8.00 to 12.30, 13.00 to 17.00

  • National Employment Agency (ADEM)

    Wasserbillig Agency

    Address:
    44, Esplanade de la Moselle L-6637 Wasserbillig Luxembourg
    B.P. 38, L-6601 Wasserbillig
    Open Closes at 12.00
    Thursday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Friday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Tuesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Wednesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00

  • National Employment Agency (ADEM)

    Wiltz Agency

    Address:
    20, rue Winseler L-9577 Wiltz Luxembourg
    B.P. 57, L-9501 Wiltz
    Open Closes at 12.00
    Thursday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Friday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Saturday:
    Closed
    Sunday:
    Closed
    Monday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Tuesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00
    Wednesday:
    8.00 to 12.00, 13.00 to 17.00

2 of 12 bodies shown

Related procedures and links

Procedures

Links

Further information

Inspectorate of Labour and Mines (ITM)

Site web

Legal references

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