Faced with the challenges of climate change, the French regulatory framework is evolving: just before the summer, Decree no. 2025-482 and the Order of 27 May 2025 introduce new provisions designed to reinforce the protection of workers exposed to episodes of intense heat in the workplace. As a result, from 1st July 2025, employers will be subject to stricter obligations in terms of managing “episodes of intense heat”.

A legal definition of “episodes of intense heat”

Although the decree does not present an official table combining meteorological conditions and preventive measures, as may be the case in other European countries such as Cyprus, it does define periods of heat according to the “heatwave vigilance” system deployed by Météo France. There are four levels of vigilance:

• green vigilance: no particular vigilance;
• yellow vigilance: peak heat (exposure to intense heat for one or two days, which may pose a health risk to the population);
• vigilance orange: heatwave (intense, long-lasting heat likely to pose a health risk to the exposed population);
• red vigilance: period of extreme heatwave (heatwave exceptional in its duration, intensity and geographical extent, and representing a major health risk for the exposed population).

Thus, “episodes of intense heat” correspond to when the threshold for yellow, orange or red vigilance levels is reached, while “heatwave periods” refer to when orange or red vigilance levels are reached.

New obligations for employers

The decree reinforces employers’ obligations to assess risks, adapt working conditions and implement preventive measures. The new chapter entitled “Prevention of risks related to episodes of intense heat”, added to the Labor Code, stipulates that employers must :

• assess the risks associated with worker exposure to intense indoor or outdoor heat, an analysis which must be included in the Occupational Risk Assessment Document (DUERP);
• define preventive measures or actions to be taken in the event of risk to workers’ health or safety, as well as procedures for reporting situations of concern (discomfort, distress, etc.), which must be made known to workers and communicated to the occupational health and safety department;
• provide a sufficient quantity of fresh drinking water close to workstations, particularly for outdoor workstations (minimum 3 liters of water per worker per day);
• adapt its prevention measures to workers who are vulnerable to the risks associated with exposure to heat waves, due to their age or state of health;
• for companies with fewer than 50 employees, the employer must define risk prevention and employee protection measures;
• for companies with 50 or more employees, the employer must update the annual program for the prevention of occupational risks and improvement of working conditions (PAPRIPACT), setting out a detailed list of measures to be taken over the coming year.

Obligation to implement preventive measures

In the event of an episode of intense heat, the employer must implement preventive measures or actions. According to the decree, reducing the risks associated with exposure to episodes of intense heat must be based in particular on :

1. Implementing work processes that do not require exposure to heat, or require less exposure;
2. Modifying the layout and layout of workplaces and workstations;
3. Adapting work organization, and in particular working hours, to limit the duration and intensity of exposure, and to provide rest periods;
4. Technical measures to reduce solar radiation on exposed surfaces, e.g. through damping or insulation, or to prevent heat build-up in premises or at workstations;
5. Increasing the amount of fresh drinking water available to workers, where necessary;
6. The choice of appropriate work equipment to maintain a stable body temperature, taking into account the work to be carried out;
7. The provision of personal protective equipment to limit or compensate for the effects of high temperatures, or to protect against the effects of direct or diffuse solar radiation;
8. Adequate information and training for workers on how to behave in the event of high temperatures, and on the correct use of work equipment and personal protective equipment, so as to reduce their exposure to heat to as low a level as is technically possible.

It should be noted that self-employed workers and subcontractors working directly on building and civil engineering sites, at height in trees, or on forestry or silvicultural sites must also implement these preventive measures.

Heatwaves give access to the unemployment-weather scheme

Since a decree of June 30, 2024, heatwaves have been recognized as a reason for temporary unemployment due to bad weather in the construction sector. In keeping with this trend, the decree of 27 May 2025 specifies that “periods of heatwave” constitute atmospheric conditions (within the meaning of Article L. 5424-8 of the French Labor Code) entitling workers in the building and public works sector to compensation for work stoppages due to bad weather.

Decree no. 2025-482

Order of May 27, 2025

Find out more

See also the EUROGIP report: Work in hot weather and heatwaves: what legislation and preventive measures are needed at international level? (French, 2023)