The decree of 27 May 2025 introduces new prevention obligations for the employer. These provisions will apply starting on 1^er july 2025.

The aim is to protect employees from heat-related risks, such as:

• the deterioration of working conditions;

• accidents at work;
• fever;
• migraine;
• cramps;
• dehydration, heatstroke...

What are the vigilance thresholds?

A decree of May 27, 2025 defines several weather vigilance thresholds set by Météo-France:

• green vigilance : seasonal watch without special vigilance;
• yellow vigilance : peak heat (exposure over a period of 1-2 days to intense heat posing a risk to human health due to working conditions or physical activity);
• orange vigilance : heatwave period (intense and long-lasting heat likely to pose a health risk to the entire exposed population);
• red vigilance : period of extreme heat wave (exceptional heat wave in terms of duration, intensity and geographical extent, which has a high health impact on the population as a whole or which could lead to the appearance of side effects of business continuity).

One ‘intense heat episode’ corresponds to reaching the threshold of alertness yellow, orange, or red.

The ‘heatwaves’, which are entitled to compensation for work stoppages in construction companies, are characterized by the achievement of the threshold of orange or red vigilance.

What are the new prevention measures?

The decree of May 27, 2025 lists a list of measures that the employer must take to fighting extreme heat :

• use of work processes that do not require heat exposure (or require less exposure);
• changing thefitting-out and thearrangement workplaces and workstations;
• adaptation the organization of work (including working hours) to limit the duration and intensity of exposure. Rest periods may be provided;
• implementation of technical means to reduce solar radiation on exposed surfaces or to prevent the accumulation of heat in work rooms (examples: sun visors, fans, misters, etc.);
• increase, as far as possible,fresh drinking water making available to workers. The employer must provide employees with fresh drinking water sufficient and provide a means for keeping water intended for drinking cool close to work stations;
• choice of suitable work equipment to maintain a stable body temperature;
• supply ofpersonal protective equipment to limit or compensate for the effects of high temperatures or to protect against the effects of solar radiation;
• information and training on the action to be taken in the event of extreme heat and on the correct use of work equipment and personal protective equipment so as to reduce their exposure to heat to a level ‘as low as is technically possible’.

The decree adds that in the absence of running water, the employer must ensure the provision of at least 3 liters of water per day per worker.