Many of you have reported this to us: it is hot in our workspaces, very hot indeed, with local temperatures reaching around 30°C in some areas.
🔧 Faulty Equipment & a New Intervention Team
Several causes in recent months explain the temperature management problems observed:
Pressure Vessel Explosion
Pressure Faults in Pump Circuits
Insufficient Sizing of Building N
120 KW available for 175 KW required (estimated)
Equipment Obsolescence in Building M
Inability to implement setpoint controls (overcooling)
Hygroscopic Constraints
Limit the factory's cooling capacity
Each fault requires rapid intervention, otherwise the system gradually shuts down and is subsequently slow to restart due to significant thermal inertia.
Added to this is the change of service provider at the beginning of the year with Vinci, which is gradually building competence and expertise.
📈 Improvements Coming, But Not Right Away
With this state of mind, we will have to cope with the temperatures once again this summer 2026.
A study has been launched particularly on building N to estimate the required cooling capacity (N0 then N1 & N2) and work is planned to increase this capacity. This time, no half-measures—management assures us: "we will take a margin".
⏰ First work planned:
(Order not yet placed)
⚖️ Right to Withdraw from Work
⚠️ What You Need to Know
French labor law is clear: there is no maximum temperature limit imposed on employers above which work would be strictly forbidden. Consequently, the right to withdraw from work on this basis alone cannot be invoked.
However, labor law does require:
art. R. 4213-7 French Labor Code
art. R. 4222-1 French Labor Code
art. L. 4121-1 French Labor Code
✅ Common-Sense Measures
CFE-CGC calls on management to show more tolerance to mitigate the high heat while awaiting promised work and to allow employees to:
- Dress Appropriately as long as employees are not exposed to risks requiring PPE or customer contact
- Take More Frequent Breaks to cool down and hydrate
- Work Remotely When Possible (the 10 days of extraordinary remote work are also dedicated to such events)
Particularly for vulnerable individuals: pregnant women, employees with heat-sensitive medical conditions
For workers in high-risk areas: laboratories, welding, etc., where heat-related loss of attention could lead to serious incidents
⚠️ Note: The security and safety risks associated with leaving doors open to ensure air circulation constitute a risk tacitly accepted by management once we have informed them.
💡 Final Word
🏥 INRS (French National Institute for Research and Safety) & Occupational Medicine agree on risk threshold:
🛡️ Prevention: Take Care of Yourself
- Take care of yourself
- Take care of your close colleagues
- Watch for signs of heat exhaustion
- In case of doubt, there is no doubt: call site emergency services
👥 Your CFE-CGC Union Representatives
Acting at your side!