What are the main numbers of the Unia survey?

The survey involved 984 construction workers across all Swiss regions in July. Only 18% systematically benefit from 15-minute breaks per hour above 33°C; 67% say they never receive such breaks. On the fresh side: only 32% systematically have an air-conditioned place to rest, 43% occasionally, 25% never. 68% work without anticipating the start of the day to avoid the maximum heat.

What health risks does Unia highlight?

According to Suva data cited by Unia, the risk of accident increases by 7% when the temperature exceeds 30°C. 15% of respondents have personally suffered an illness during heatwaves or have seen one hit a colleague. Construction is already the most dangerous sector, with one in six workers being injured every year.

What are Unia's three specific requests?

First: insert a maximum threshold of 33°C in the building works ordinance; beyond this temperature, heavy outdoor work should be interrupted except for breaks of 15 minutes per hour in an air-conditioned place, counted as paid work. Second: strengthen Suva's controls and apply effective sanctions. Third: approve a motion by the Council of States to extend construction deadlines in the event of a heat wave outage, without penalty.

How does Ticino represent a model?

During the heatwaves, most of the work on the Ticino construction sites was suspended from 14:00. Unia cites this as an example to be extended nationwide. For frontier workers working in Lugano, Mendrisiotto or Bellinzonese, this measure is already practised and provides concrete protection compared to the rest of Switzerland.

What should a border worker do if he/she suffers an illness on the construction site?

First: notify the site manager immediately and contact the rescue if necessary. Second: move to a cool, shady place, drink water, stop any effort. Third: report the illness to the trusted doctor and keep the certificates, useful for insurance coverage (LAINF, LAMal). It is also advisable to document the incident and contact the Unia Ticinese office for assistance.

Canicola in the construction sites: Unia asks for mandatory breaks (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 31 August 2026

Construction site in Ticino during summer heat: workers follow safety procedures with shaded areas and protective equipment.

Only 18% receive systematic breaks above 33°C. Out of 984 workers interviewed, 82% of construction sites ignore the protections provided. This is what the union is asking for.

Context

In a nutshell

Eight out of ten construction sites do not apply the mandatory breaks above 33°C
Unia asks for suspension of heavy work at 33 degrees and effective sanctions
Survey of 984 construction workers: only 18% have systematic time breaks
Ticino indicated as an example: suspension of work from 14:00 in heat waves

Key facts

What: Unia survey on compliance with anti-heat measures in Swiss construction sites
When: July (interviews); results presented in Bern
Where: Switzerland (with positive mention of the Canton of Ticino)
Who: Unia trade union, 984 construction workers interviewed, Suva cited as technical source
Amount/Share: 18% with systematic breaks; 67% never; 15% sometimes; 32% with systematic cool place; 43% occasional; 25% without; 68% without early hours; 15% ill; +7% accident risk above 30°C
Proposal: Maximum threshold 33°C in the building works ordinance; breaks of 15 min/hour counted as work

In July, the Unia union interviewed 984 construction workers in all regions of Switzerland to verify the application of heat protection measures on construction sites. The results, presented in Bern, paint a critical picture: only 18% of respondents systematically benefit from 15-minute breaks per hour starting at 33 degrees. 67% state that such breaks are never granted, while 15% receive them "sometimes".

Even resting places remain a problem. Only a third (32%) of workers

Operational details

The Unia survey opens a trade union front that will also weigh in on Canton Ticino, where the construction sector permanently employs a significant share of Italian border workers. The data speak of a leopard-spot application of the protections already provided by law: 82% of Swiss shipyards do not regularly grant anti-heat breaks above 33°C and 25% of workers do not even have a cool place to stop.

For border crossers who cross the Brogeda, Chiasso or Gaggiolo crossings every morning towards the Lugano, Mendrisiotto or Bellinzonese shipyards, the question is not theoretical. Working at 14:00 with 35-39°C exposes you to an accident risk that, according to Suva data cited by Unia, grows by 7% above 30°C. 15% of respondents report personal or colleague illnesses: a share that, on an average site of ten workers, statistically corresponds to one or two episodes per season.

What Unia is asking for and what it would actually change

The union makes three precise requests. The first is the inclusion in the building works ordinance of a maximum threshold of 33°C: beyond this temperature, heavy outdoor physical work should be stopped, except for guaranteeing 15-minute breaks every hour in an air-conditioned place, counted as paid working hours.

The second request concerns controls: Unia asks Suva to strengthen inspections and, in case of incapacity, to entrust the task to the Cantons or

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Key points

For a Ticino cross-border worker employed on a construction site, the first concrete step is to document. In the absence of a mandatory register of interruptions, it is advisable to keep a personal diary of the breaks granted or denied, the hours actually worked and the temperatures perceived. These notes become useful evidence in the event of illness, a wage dispute or a claim for compensation.

Procedure in the event of illness on the construction site

If a worker suffers heat-related illness, the chain of actions to follow is clear. First: immediately notify the site supervisor and, if the situation allows it, contact the emergency number. Second: be accompanied to a cool and shaded place, drink water, and stop all physical effort. Third: even if the illness seems to have passed, report it to your trusted doctor and keep any certificates, which are useful for any mandatory insurance coverage (UVG/LAA, KV/HIA for those who have opted for the Swiss system, daily allowance in the event of inability to work).

Practical steps to enforce your rights

Construction workers can contact the Unia union offices in Ticino for assistance on breaks not granted, unsuitable hours or the absence of rest areas. Reports can also be sent to Suva, which is responsible for occupational safety, and to SECO for matters relating to employment conditions. In the event of forced interruptions linked to bad weather, the existing compensation system does not currently cover heatwaves: the Unia proposal to extend compensation to heat is still awaiting passage in the Council of States.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main numbers of the Unia survey?: The survey involved 984 construction workers across all Swiss regions in July. Only 18% systematically benefit from 15-minute breaks per hour above 33°C; 67% say they never receive such breaks. On the fresh side: only 32% systematically have an air-conditioned place to rest, 43% occasionally, 25% never. 68% work without anticipating the start of the day to avoid the maximum heat.
What health risks does Unia highlight?: According to Suva data cited by Unia, the risk of accident increases by 7% when the temperature exceeds 30°C. 15% of respondents have personally suffered an illness during heatwaves or have seen one hit a colleague. Construction is already the most dangerous sector, with one in six workers being injured every year.
What are Unia's three specific requests?: First: insert a maximum threshold of 33°C in the building works ordinance; beyond this temperature, heavy outdoor work should be interrupted except for breaks of 15 minutes per hour in an air-conditioned place, counted as paid work. Second: strengthen Suva's controls and apply effective sanctions. Third: approve a motion by the Council of States to extend construction deadlines in the event of a heat wave outage, without penalty.
How does Ticino represent a model?: During the heatwaves, most of the work on the Ticino construction sites was suspended from 14:00. Unia cites this as an example to be extended nationwide. For frontier workers working in Lugano, Mendrisiotto or Bellinzonese, this measure is already practised and provides concrete protection compared to the rest of Switzerland.
What should a border worker do if he/she suffers an illness on the construction site?: First: notify the site manager immediately and contact the rescue if necessary. Second: move to a cool, shady place, drink water, stop any effort. Third: report the illness to the trusted doctor and keep the certificates, useful for insurance coverage (LAINF, LAMal). It is also advisable to document the incident and contact the Unia Ticinese office for assistance.