Employers are obliged to provide staff with means to combat heat, such as auxiliary fans, and with sufficient drinking water. Shutterstock

Employers are obliged to provide staff with means to combat heat, such as auxiliary fans, and with sufficient drinking water. Shutterstock

As Europe faces up to a heatwave that could see temperatures reaching the high 30s on Wednesday, Luxembourg’s education ministry has said that because individual schools have different infrastructure and methods of dealing with the heat it is up to them whether to close for the day. But they must inform parents and alternative arrangements for children to attend other schools must be offered to families.

According to a report by RTL, schools in Mertert, Rumelange, Echternach, Grevenmacher and Kopstal had decided to suspend school for the day on Wednesday.

The Inspection du travail et des mines (work safety inspectorate) has also issued advice to employers to ensure that their staff are equipped to handle the heat. This includes obligations to monitor the ambient temperature of workspaces, especially in enclosed areas and to ensure premises are thermally insulated using blinds, shutters, wall insulation and anti-solar film on glass walls, for example.

Employers should also provide staff with means to combat heat, such as auxiliary fans, and with sufficient drinking water cooled to between 10 and 15°C.