British holidaymakers heading to Spain could find bar and restaurant terraces shut down as the country battles scorching temperatures of more than 40C. Hospitality businesses are being urged to protect workers from extreme heat, with outdoor service potentially suspended during the hottest part of the day.
Five-hour window identified
Spanish reports have identified the five hours between 1pm and 6pm as a particularly dangerous period for strenuous work on terraces during high-risk heat days. It means Brits hoping to enjoy an afternoon drink or meal in the sunshine could find some terraces temporarily closed, although bars and restaurants may continue serving customers indoors.
The warning comes as temperatures are expected to climb above 40C in parts of Spain today amid a blistering heatwave sweeping across Europe. More than 135 million people across the continent are expected to experience temperatures above 35C, particularly in Spain, France, Italy and the UK.
New labour agreement
The changes follow an update to Spain's VI National Labour Agreement for the Hospitality Sector (ALEH), agreed by hospitality unions and employers' organisations earlier this year. Under the agreement, businesses must consider extreme weather and other climate-related hazards when assessing risks to their employees.
Employers are expected to introduce measures to make outdoor work safer during periods of extreme heat. These can include providing shade and cooling measures, reorganising shifts, rotating employees and limiting the amount of time staff spend working outside. Where those measures are not enough to make conditions safe, businesses could suspend outdoor operations until the danger has passed.
No blanket shutdown
However, the rules do not impose a blanket five-hour shutdown on every bar and restaurant in Spain. The 1pm to 6pm period has been highlighted as a critical window for avoiding strenuous terrace work during high-risk conditions, while any suspension depends on the conditions and measures available at individual businesses.
Hostelería de España has also stressed that the agreement does not establish an “automatic closure of terraces”. Employers who fail to adequately protect workers from extreme temperatures can face action from Spain's Labour Inspectorate. Businesses can be investigated for breaches of occupational health and safety requirements if employees are made to work in dangerous conditions without sufficient protection.
Fines and impact
Penalties for serious breaches can run into tens of thousands of euros, with Spanish reports warning of fines around €50,000 – equivalent to more than £40,000. However, the penalty is not an automatic fine simply for keeping a terrace open. Instead, businesses can face sanctions if they fail to meet their legal responsibilities to protect workers from dangerous conditions.
The new protections have come into focus as Spain swelters through another period of intense summer heat. Temperatures above 40C are expected in parts of the country today as extreme conditions continue across Europe. Periods of extreme heat can lead Spain's State Meteorological Agency, AEMET, to issue orange and red warnings, prompting employers to review whether staff can safely continue working outside.
For British tourists, the measures do not impose new restrictions on them personally. Instead, they could affect where and when they are able to eat and drink outside during the most intense periods of heat. Bars and restaurants can remain open indoors even if outdoor service has to be reduced or temporarily suspended, meaning holidaymakers could find the traditional Spanish terrace experience unavailable during the hottest hours of the day.
