MADRID – Another street sweeper in Madrid has collapsed due to the heat. On Saturday, a 60-year-old employee of the Madrid cleaning service died as a result of a heat stroke. The capital has been ravaged by a heat wave for ten days.
On Tuesday afternoon around five o’clock, it concerned a 58-year-old employee in Calle de Algete in Arganzuela. He was transferred to the hospital 12 De Octubre in Madrid with a body temperature of 41 degrees Celsius. In this case, the cleaner is in critical condition, as reported by the emergency service in Madrid. Spanish media report that cleaners in Madrid have to work in polyester suits. And, furthermore, they have regularly complained of skin rashes and even burns after working in the sun in high temperatures.
See also: Cleaner dead after working for hours in heat in a polyester suit and winter boots
The event took place while the cleaning contract management of the Madrid City Council and the unions are negotiating a protocol for extreme heat situations. No one from the congregation itself was present. They eventually agreed that cleaners don’t have to work in the afternoon on hot days.
The new agreement includes three warning levels
The agreement is divided into three levels based on the warnings issued by the Spanish weather institute AEMET. The lowest phase is green. In it, the workers will follow the usual prevention recommendations, such as drinking plenty of water, walking in the shade as much as possible and using sun protection.
On a second level is the yellow stage. In it, the cleaners will follow the same recommendations as in the previous plan, but the abolition of cleaning up in afternoon shifts will be added.
At the heaviest level, red, vehicles without air conditioning will not be allowed to work and the afternoon shift from 3.00 pm to 10.00 pm will be abolished. In addition, companies and unions have agreed to make improvements in workwear for all employees.
