Green construction, rising risks: The impact of circularity and heat stress on occupational safety and health in the Netherlands and Spain

As the European Green Deal accelerates environmental reforms across sectors, its implications for workers’ safety and health are becoming increasingly urgent to address. This paper explores the implications of the green transition – specifically decarbonization strategies and climate mitigation policies – on occupational safety and health (OSH) in the construction sector, with a focus on the Netherlands and Spain. The paper highlights how collective representation through trade unions and works councils plays a key role in addressing the OSH challenges arising from environmental and policy shifts.