Xhemaili on Extreme Heat: Protecting Workers Must Be the Top Priority

The heatwave is creating major difficulties for people who work outdoors. Exposure to the sun and high temperatures increases health risks, especially for workers in construction, agriculture and other sectors where work is carried out outdoors.

The Federation of Trade Unions of Macedonia has called on employers to implement the measures stipulated for protecting workers during extreme heat. The Federation is urging employers to comply with occupational health and safety rules in view of the forecast high temperatures, and to reduce or suspend outdoor work during the hottest hours of the day. The union is also calling for all necessary resources and measures to be provided to safeguard workers’ lives and health under these conditions. The Federation reiterated that precautionary and protective measures must be implemented during periods of high ambient temperatures, for which the Institute of Public Health has already issued recommendations.

Liridon Xhemaili, a lawyer and construction sector expert, says that although construction work is more intensive during the summer, the high temperatures require additional measures to ensure workers’ safety.

According to Xhemaili, construction activity intensifies during periods when weather conditions are more favorable, but the heat requires greater care for those working outdoors, particularly people with health problems. He stressed that every reputable company should take these circumstances into account and implement the recommendations for protecting workers.

The Institute of Public Health has also called on citizens to take protective measures against the heatwave because of the high temperatures. The period with the highest risk from being in the sun and exposure to high temperatures is from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. /TVM2