Barcelona implements thermal wristbands for outdoor workers amid heat risks

In response to the tragic death of a city worker last year, Barcelona has distributed nearly 1,400 thermal wristbands to protect outdoor employees from heat-related illnesses. This initiative aims to enhance safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.

Following the unfortunate death of Montse Aguilar in 2025, a cleaning brigade employee who collapsed during a heatwave, Barcelona is taking significant steps to safeguard its outdoor workforce. The city has introduced 1,400 thermal wristbands designed to alert workers when their body temperature approaches dangerous levels. This proactive measure is part of a broader effort to address the risks faced by municipal brigades exposed to harsh weather.

The wristbands have been distributed among various teams, including those involved in cleaning, lighting maintenance, gardening, and green point management by Siresa. The initiative has garnered general approval from labor unions; however, they emphasize that additional protective measures are necessary for those working under extreme conditions.

“No single measure is sufficient on its own; more will likely need to be implemented,”

stated Sílvia Fitó, president of the Parks and Gardens Workers Committee and secretary general of CCOO at the municipal institute. In an effort to adapt work schedules for gardeners during peak summer temperatures, a new agreement has been reached that shifts start times from 8:00 AM to 7:15 AM, while ending times will also be adjusted from 2:15 PM to 1:15 PM until September 25.

The thermal wristbands were acquired at a cost of €58,080 from Metalco and are programmed to activate alarms when core body temperatures reach approximately 38 degrees Celsius. These devices provide early warnings two levels before reaching critical heat stress thresholds. Fitó noted that these alerts have already proven effective during recent high-temperature days.

“It’s very positive that they alert before reaching dangerous temperatures,”

she remarked. “We feared false positives or failures in notifications; however, they have been functioning as intended.” When activated, workers are instructed to stop their tasks immediately and seek shade or hydration until the device indicates it is safe to resume work.

The implementation of these wristbands aligns with existing regulations set forth by the City Council regarding safety measures for outdoor workers during heat episodes. Under an orange alert scenario, guidelines mandate breaks every half hour and reassignment of tasks as necessary. In cases of red alerts, solo work is prohibited and continuous work periods are limited.

Carlos del Barrio from CCOO emphasized that while thermal wristbands serve as an important tool for monitoring health risks associated with high temperatures, they should be complemented by adjustments in work schedules. He pointed out that many devices only signal when peak temperatures are reached without accounting for cumulative thermal stress over time.

“The best prevention is avoiding exposure altogether,”

he asserted. Del Barrio highlighted that moving strenuous tasks away from peak temperature hours could significantly reduce health risks for workers.<pAdditionally, there are ongoing discussions about extending the use of these wristbands across various services within the city’s workforce but contingent upon medical evaluations due to concerns about privacy regarding health conditions among employees.

“Every worker who wants one should have access,”

said Hugo Coll from CGT at FCC’s cleaning contract in Barcelona. He expressed concern over inadequate cooling systems in waste collection vehicles and stressed the importance of enforcing breaks as outlined in safety protocols.

The president of UGT’s public services federation in Catalonia acknowledged that while current safety protocols effectively manage risk levels among outdoor workers—resulting in few reported incidents—there remains room for improvement in ensuring all personnel adhere strictly to safety measures during extreme weather events.

This initiative marks a crucial step towards enhancing worker safety amidst rising global temperatures and increasing frequency of heatwaves. For those interested in learning more about workplace safety regulations or accessing resources related to this program can visit Barcelona’s official municipal website or contact their local union representatives directly.