New Regulations to Combat Workplace Heat Risks Effective July 1, 2025
New workplace regulations to protect workers from heat-related risks come into effect on July 1, 2025.
Key Points
- • New regulations mandate heat risk evaluations for workplaces starting July 1, 2025.
- • Employers must provide fresh drinking water and ensure suitable indoor temperatures during heatwaves.
- • Labor inspectors can enforce compliance if necessary preventive measures are not defined.
- • Workers can report inadequate safety measures to labor inspection services.
As part of a comprehensive effort to safeguard workers from extreme weather conditions, new regulations addressing heat-related risks will take effect in France on July 1, 2025. According to a recent announcement, these measures will mandate employers to conduct thorough evaluations of heat risks in the workplace, driven by the increasing frequency and intensity of heatwaves attributed to climate change.
The new decree, Decree No. 2025-482, recognizes that high temperatures can lead to serious health complications for workers, such as heat stroke and dehydration. The regulations specify that employers must ensure appropriate indoor temperatures and take measures to protect outdoor workers during heatwaves, which are classified by Météo-France's national alert system. Key preventive actions include providing fresh drinking water, monitoring temperatures, and setting up safety protocols.
"Failure to define necessary preventive actions could lead to interventions by labor inspectors, who are empowered to ensure compliance," stated a government spokesperson. Workers are encouraged to report any inadequacies in safety measures to labor inspection services or their representatives.
This initiative aligns with France's fourth occupational health plan (PST4 2021-2025) and the third national adaptation plan to climate change (PNACC3), aimed at enhancing worker protections against heat hazards and reinforcing employer responsibilities in maintaining a safe work environment amid rising temperatures.