The Spanish Labour and Social Security Inspectorate (ITSS) and the Autoridade para as Condições do Trabalho (ACT) of Portugal, with the collaboration of the National Institute of Safety and Health at Work (INSST), have agreed to carry out a joint campaign on Emerging Risks of Climate Change and Circular Economy.

Climate change is causing an increase in adverse weather phenomena that directly affect working conditions and the safety and health of working people. At the same time, the implementation of production models linked to the circular economy generates new work scenarios that require a continuous adaptation of preventive measures. Faced with this reality, both countries promote this initiative in order to promote the protection of working people through activities to raise awareness, inform and monitor legal obligations in this field.

The general objective of the campaign is to improve working conditions in the workplace that may be affected by the risks arising from climate change and activities linked to the circular economy.

The actions will focus on two areas:

•Climate change

Within climate change, the actions will focus, fundamentally, on two issues:

• Preventive management of the usual activity against adverse meteorological phenomena.

• Preparation and response to emergency situations arising from these phenomena.

Particular attention will be paid to the risks associated with:

• Heat waves.

• Exposure to extreme temperatures.

• Intense rains and storms.

• Wind episodes.

• Other adverse weather phenomena with impact on working conditions.

•Circular economy

In the area of the circular economy, the campaign will mainly address the risks associated with:

• Collection and cleaning of waste.

• Waste treatment and recovery facilities.

These activities have specific risk factors and affect an increasing number of working people, which makes it necessary to strengthen preventive and protective measures. Regarding the sectors of activity, the campaign is aimed especially at:

• Companies or entities for urban collection and cleaning, as well as waste treatment and recovery.

• Outdoor activities, such as construction, agriculture and services.

• Logistics and transport sectors.

• Manufacturing industries with exposure to heat, cold or adverse weather events.

During the campaign, it is planned to carry out inspection actions aimed at verifying the correct protection of the safety and health of working people against the risks arising from climate change and certain activities linked to the circular economy. These actions will be reinforced with awareness and information actions aimed at companies and working people, from an eminently preventive approach. In particular, special attention will be given to the following issues:

• The inspection actions will check, in particular, in:

• The correct performance of risk assessments.

• The adoption of specific preventive measures for this type of risk.

• The elaboration of action protocols in case of climate emergencies.

• Immediate action in case of serious and imminent risk caused by adverse meteorological phenomena.

• Information and awareness-raising activities will focus, in particular, on:

• Provide companies with technical documentation that guides the management of these risks in their organizations.

• Raising the awareness of both companies and their workers about the impact that climate change and activities linked to the circular economy can have on their health and safety.

• Help organizations to identify the main legal obligations in this matter.

• Inform about the rights of working personnel.

The campaign will have a duration of one year And they will intensify in certain weeks, called “Action Weeks”, which will take place according to the following schedule:

• JUNE 2026: Risks linked to the circular economy.

• JULY 2026: Risks associated with heat.

• OCTOBER 2026: Risks associated with rain and wind.

• DECEMBER 2026: Risks associated with the cold.