Detailed explanation requested on the safety precautions implemented by the Commission to safeguard workers.
In the sweltering summer heat of Berlin, the Police Trade Union (GdP) is taking a proactive stance to safeguard the wellbeing of its officers. Hagen Husgen, a member of the GdP's Federal Executive Board responsible for occupational safety, has emphasized the need to protect police officers from the effects of extreme heat.
Recognizing the challenges posed by climate change-related heat stress, the GdP is demanding concrete regulations and protective stipulations for police work in extreme heat. These measures include adjusted work schedules or breaks, legal provisions acknowledging climate change impacts on police duties, and ensuring adequate protection during heatwaves and other extreme climate conditions.
Husgen's statement underscores the importance of addressing heat protection in long-term construction plans. He suggests that summer heat protection should be an integral part of current and future building projects, with the inclusion of functional cooling stations such as shaded pavilions with misting systems.
The union’s advocacy also involves pushing for occupational health standards tailored to the risks posed by rising temperatures, alongside improved equipment or facilities that help mitigate heat effects during outdoor and physically demanding tasks. This includes sufficient sunscreen with high SPF, adequate shady break times, more staff, UV protection through tightly woven yet breathable clothing and a cap with shaded facial areas, and the provision of electrolyte drinks.
Dirk Tschöke, chairman of the GdP's Federal Specialist Committee for Occupational and Health Safety, suggested that scheduled duties should be adjusted to weather conditions. He also highlighted the need for an earlier start to the workday, redistribution to better climate-controlled rooms, continuous provision of fans, avoidance of overtime, relaxation of dress codes, and the avoidance of traffic controls in direct sunlight, which are stressful for both police officers and the public.
In his statement on July 1st, Husgen emphasized the need for long-term heat protection solutions for police officers, stating that the current weather conditions are not isolated incidents, necessitating a sustainable approach. The GdP's call for official recognition and institutional measures to protect police officers from heat-related risks is part of a broader climate change adaptation in workplace safety for law enforcement in Berlin.
While specific new policies or legislation details are not yet available, the core thrust of the GdP’s position is clear: a call for protection and safety for police officers in the face of extreme heat conditions, as the issue of heat protection extends beyond immediate concerns and requires comprehensive, long-term solutions.
- In addition to protective measures for extreme heat, the Police Trade Union (GdP) advocates for occupational health standards in the field of environmental science, specifically focusing on health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise, considering the rising temperatures.
- The GdP's vision for long-term heat protection solutions extends beyond immediate concerns, addressing the need for adjustments in work schedules or breaks to combat climate change's effects, as part of a broader adaptation strategy in climate-change science.
- As the sweltering summer heat continues to pose challenges, the GdP insists on the importance of other environmental factors, such as the environment itself and its role in climate change, to ensure a sustainable and healthy environment for the wellbeing of police officers and the public.
