ADAPTHEAT heatwaves and occupational health and safety in Hungary: the role of social dialogue

Climate change is already not only a global problem, but also poses a growing risk to the health and safety of workers. For this reason, this study analyses the measures taken as part of the ADAPTHEAT (Led by Fundación 1º de Mayo (Spain), with participation from Fondazione Di Vittorio (Italy), ELINYAE (Greece), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Netherlands), and the Hungarian Trade Union Confederation MASZSZ (Hungary)) project in Hungary to mitigate heat-related risks in the workplace. The research focuses on legislation and employers' practices, which were analysed on the basis of risk assessments, collective agreements and case studies. The findings highlight that workplace heat stress is not only a concern in traditionally high-risk sectors such as agriculture but affects nearly all workplaces. Despite recent legislative changes in Hungary, the regulatory framework and employer obligations remain rather general. Therefore, raising awareness among employers and employees remains essential. The study also emphasizes the important role of trade unions and health and safety representatives in advocating for improved protection.