«There is a need for reflection also in Sardinia on the possible adoption of a regional ordinance that combats the heat emergency in the workplace».
This was stated in a letter full of arguments sent to the president of the Region, Alessandra Todde and to the health and labor councillors, by the national councilor and territorial president of the Association of Invalids of Work of Nuoro, Michele Tatti.
A problem for Anmil that has so far been ignored in Sardinia and which has become a topical issue again with the high temperatures of recent days: the climate emergency in the workplace ends up in this period also expanding the increasingly current alarm linked to the health of workers and prevention of accidents and occupational diseases.
«The dimensions of the problem, especially in a region like Sardinia which has always been among the most exposed to summer heat and in recent years has seen extreme phenomena linked to climate change, are demonstrated - underlines Tatti - by some studies which in the case of work beyond 35 degrees, certify the 17.4% increase in the risk of accidents with exposure to burns, wounds, lacerations, amputations and diseases related to extreme temperatures. It is now well established that the risk of heat falls within the scope of the risk assessment for the safety and health of workers, and to be combated it also requires a strong political initiative that translates into adequate prevention and protection measures".
Sardinia should take example from other regions such as Puglia. «Several Regions - says the Anmil - have adopted measures to prohibit working in the hottest hours of the days of greatest risk. In particular, I would like to remind you that in Puglia, an immediately effective ordinance prohibits working in conditions of prolonged exposure to the sun from 12.30pm to 4pm throughout the entire regional territory until 31 August 2024".