Heat wave “Kleon”: Acropolis closes from 12 to 5

Following the decision of the competent ephorate of the Ministry of Culture and the Department of Antiquities, as part of the measures to prevent the effects of the heat wave, the archaeological site of the Acropolis will be closed today, Friday, from 12 noon to 5 pm.

According to Weather forecastToday, Friday, temperatures will be particularly high, and it will also have African dust.

The announcement indicated that the archaeological site of the Acropolis would reopen after 5 p.m.

As stated, the ancient agora and keramikos areas remain in normal operation, as “the archaeological museums there can be visited”.

The decision comes after days of queues of visitors to the Acropolis, with extremely high temperatures, posing serious risks to their health.

Types of non-working employees

Distributors

The Labor Ministry on Thursday announced additional measures for the safety and health of workers exposed to heat as part of their work.

These measures concern the distributors where companies are prohibited from working on Friday (13/7), specifically from 12 to 5.

According to the published gazette, work stoppages are mandatory on a case-by-case basis due to heat. In particular, the activities refer to workers “manual work performed outdoors, as specified, work on technical and building projects, construction sites, distribution and transportation of goods and materials by two-wheeled vehicle (delivery)”.

As mentioned in the official gazette, any employer who violates the rules will be punished with heavy fines.

According to the minister’s decision, labor inspectors are given the opportunity to close down businesses that violate the rules for predicting and handling heat stress in hot conditions and to impose fines without the risk of going to court.

What does the ministerial resolution provide?

The measures are detailed in the ministerial decision and include the following:

• Mandatory stoppage of work in areas where the risk of heat stress is high during the period 12:00 – 17:00
• Provision of remote work with telework system to private sector workers belonging to high risk groups
• Measures to organize working hours and facilitate employees during any change in arrival and departure time
• Technical and organizational measures to prevent heat stress in workers
• Special arrangements for provision of outdoor work and personal protective equipment

activities

The ministerial resolution elaborated as follows:

Article 1

In order to cope with the heat stress of workers dependent on the private sector of the economy during a heat-weather event known as “CLEON”, employers take protective measures according to the indicative and exhaustive lists of techniques and organizational measures in the appendices. I make this decision.

Article 2

Forced stoppage of work during weather event – heat wave named “CLEON (CLEON)”.

a) As assessed by the National Meteorological Service (NMS), the risk of heat stress is greatest for employees who have labor relations dependent on employers in the private sector of the economy in regions of the country where:

1. WBGT bioclimatic index value, when it is greater than 32.2 (as per Annex II) or

2. The temperature is above 42°C while the humidity index value is set to at least 14%, or

3. The temperature is set above 40°C, while the humidity index value is set at least 20%, it is mandatory to stop the work during 12.00 – 17.00 in manual work done outside. , work on technical and building projects, construction sites, distribution and transportation of goods and materials by two-wheeler (delivery).

b) In particular for work in the shipyard repair zone, the obligation of the above subsection applies to temperatures set at a value greater than 38°C.

c) In case of non-compliance with the obligations of this rule, according to 23 and 24 of Law 3996/2011 (A’ 170), a fine of two thousand euros will be imposed by the labor inspector on an employee of an enterprise. )

Article 3

Providing remote jobs with a telework system

For employees with dependent labor relations in the private sector of the economy belonging to high-risk groups and in cases exposed to particularly poor conditions, the opportunity to work remotely with a remote organization if possible due to nature. Their work (Appendix III).

Article 4

“CLEON” EMERGENCY MEASURES TO ORGANIZE WORK HOURS DURING WEATHER EVENT

In order to cope with the weather event caused by the KLEON heat wave and for the duration of this event, to comply with the relevant data and instructions of the National Meteorological Service (EMY) and to facilitate them in case of any change in the arrival and departure time of employees, employers should not pre-register with PS. Tool for every change in working time structure.