In response to the summer's first heatwave, the City Council of Barcelona has implemented measures to safeguard the health of municipal workers performing outdoor tasks. Approximately 1,400 wristbands have been procured, primarily for employees in cleaning, public lighting, and parks and gardens services.
According to Pep Llimona, coordinator of the Prevention Service at the Municipal Institute of Parks and Gardens, these devices emit an audible, vibratory, and luminous alert when they detect a body temperature level that could be harmful. The aim is for workers to be able to stop their activity, seek shade, rest, and hydrate.
So far, around 600 wristbands have been distributed, with nearly 90% of workers wearing them. Llimona clarified that the device does not have GPS or perform any other type of reading, and its use is recommended but not mandatory. The battery lasts for five months, covering the summer period from June to October.
In addition to the wristbands, other preventive measures have been introduced. Workers are provided with breathable clothing, caps, and sunscreen. Rest breaks of 10 to 15 minutes are scheduled every two hours, and work schedules and tasks are adjusted to avoid peak solar radiation hours, advancing the workday by one hour in the morning and finishing around 2 PM.
“"Sometimes you feel unwell and keep working. Therefore, if the wristband works, it's a very good idea."
Some workers, like Judit Membeiela, have positively assessed the initiative, although others, such as Sílvia Flores, have noted that some prefer not to wear it. Flores also highlighted the importance of considering the conditions in certain areas, like Parc de les Glòries, where excessive pavement can make early morning work difficult.
Regarding work vehicles, the lack of air conditioning in some models, such as the small Piaggio, which generates additional heat, has been noted. The prevention service has assured that efforts are underway to improve the vehicle fleet in the shortest possible time.
These measures follow the death of a municipal cleaning worker during a heatwave last summer.
