Seville, (EFE).- Intensive shifts are the main ‘weapon’ that construction and farm workers in Andalusia have to deal with the frequent episodes of high temperatures in summer, since when carrying out their activity in outdoors are more exposed to heat stroke and other associated pathologies.
For this reason, the collective agreements of these productive sectors have included for years the intensive days in the summer period to alleviate the effects of the intense heat.
The agreements are provincial and, therefore, are adapted to the climate of each area. But in general they include the intensive days in summer in construction works and in all agricultural, livestock and forestry tasks. Especially in crop collections.
In fact, in the debate that has been opened as a result of the government’s announcement that it will prohibit work outdoors when there are weather alerts due to heat, Andalusia leads Spain in labor protocols to combat it. Given the records of high summer temperatures.
60 casualties and one death due to heat stroke in 2022
In statements to EFE, Emilio Fernández, CCOO-A’s secretary for the environment and sustainability, explained that thermal stress has currently spread to more productive sectors such as hospitality, distribution and delivery, education due to the lack of air conditioning in the classrooms and in the workers of the dependency due to displacements.
According to official data, last year in Andalusia there were 60 worker casualties due to heat stroke and one death, according to Emilio Fernández. That he has specified that there are many more because the official data does not include the cases in which they suffer the consequences later when they finish their workday.
In this sense, he pointed out that unions are receiving more and more complaints and inquiries from various sectors about working conditions in an environment of high temperatures.
The head of ASAJA Sevilla Felipe Galloso has explained that in Andalusia measures are already applied in the field. Collected in provincial agreements and others. Because they are part of the usual practice, to combat high temperatures such as providing water and recommendations on the type of clothing. And the use of sunscreens on the skin, among others.
Therefore, it considers that Andalusia has already covered ground in this regard. And he has maintained that what the Government is going to do is a wake-up call to continue raising awareness about the effects of heat waves on certain jobs. To avoid damage to health.
The Guadalquivir Valley
In Andalusia, the intensive construction day can be extended from June 1 to September 30. With a schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. or from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Although the work calendar varies depending on each province. While in the countryside, summer days of six and a half or seven hours are established. And the weekly working day is completed with work on Saturday or the time of the beginning of the agricultural work is brought forward.
However, due to the extreme conditions in some parts of the community, mainly in the Guadalquivir Valley, the regulations can be flexible. Regarding the uses, customs or peculiarities of each sector and in each province.
In fact, the unions carry out campaigns to visit works and pits in the summer months. To verify that the intensive days agreed in the agreement are fulfilled.
The regulation on occupational health and safety is national. Therefore, the Board has little room for maneuver to regulate this matter. And their role is limited to giving good practice recommendations and advice. To avoid thermal stress through the Andalusian Occupational Risk Prevention Institute. EFE