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Barcelona Council Registers 20 Heat-Related Worker Incidents, Eyes Mandatory Contractor Protocols

Under union pressure, the council is weighing new rules to tie contractors’ compliance with updated heatwave safeguards to their municipal contracts.

Overview

  • On July 16 the City Council presented its prevention report to the Presidency Commission detailing 20 heat-related health incidents among municipal and contracted staff in 2025.
  • Cleaning personnel accounted for 12 of the cases, Parcs i Jardins workers reported five incidents and three occurred in other municipal services, with most workers experiencing mild dizziness, nausea or dehydration.
  • The June 28 death of cleaner Montserrat Aguilar remains under investigation pending autopsy results to establish whether extreme heat contributed to her fatal collapse.
  • Reinforced measures now include extended rest breaks, cool water provision, uniform adjustments, distribution of thermal bracelets and schedule changes to avoid peak afternoon temperatures.
  • Deputy Mayor Albert Batlle has proposed making adherence to these protocols a compulsory contractual condition for external service providers as unions press for stronger climate risk safeguards.