Little Opposition to Heat Protection Regulation

The corresponding heat protection regulation from the Ministry of Social Affairs is under review until August 20. According to the ministry, only a few statements have been received so far, none of which contain a fundamentally negative stance. The WKÖ can live with the proposal, as shown in the response to an APA inquiry. The IV is critical.

"Businesses are very concerned about having healthy employees, so measures to protect health are important," said the Chamber of Commerce (WKÖ) in response to an inquiry. "Even previously, companies had to evaluate health risks in the workplace, determine and implement measures to prevent these risks." The planned regulation thus specifies already existing obligations. "For the economy, it is important that bureaucracy is minimized and that the required measures are practical."

The Federation of Austrian Industries (IV) was more critical and reminded in its response to an APA inquiry that the federal government had committed in its government program to "reducing bureaucracy and cutting red tape" to "increase efficiency, remove obstacles, and promote innovation." However, the current draft contradicts these goals. Ultimately, it would result in mandatory heat protection plans. This, in turn, does not mean relief but additional bureaucratic burdens. Maintaining high health and safety standards for employees is already common practice in the industry. There is a threat of introducing "heat breaks" through the back door via work interruptions and rest periods. However, "heat breaks" are not provided for in the regulation.

According to the ministry, none of the few statements received so far express a fundamental rejection. "This shows how important protection from heat in the work environment is and how broad the consensus is on this issue." "Specific clarifications and individual suggestions for further development" have been proposed, which are now being reviewed. Unlike statements on legislative proposals, these go to the ministry and not to parliament, where they are publicly accessible.

Heat Protection Regulation: Consultation Instead of Sanctions in Case of Complaints

According to the ministry of Korinna Schumann (SPÖ), it is generally true that the protection of employees has the highest priority. However, the regulation does not aim for immediate sanctions for companies that do not pay enough attention to heat protection for their employees: "Complaints about unreasonable working conditions - including those related to heat - are treated confidentially by the labor inspection and thoroughly reviewed. In the case of identified deficiencies, employers are initially advised and requested to rectify them. Only in exceptional cases is a report filed."

The regulation (see: https://go.apa.at/1kQmCE4b) is set to come into force on January 1, 2026 - likely at temperatures that do not lead to immediate application. In addition to protection plans that must be implemented from a certain heat warning level by GeoSphere Austria (30 to 34 degrees), mandatory equipment of sick bays with air conditioning and the provision of protective clothing for construction workers is planned for construction. The new regulation covers all outdoor work. It is intended to focus primarily on the specific field of activity and the severity of the burden. There will be transition periods for retrofitting in construction. However, the length of the period was not yet foreseeable. Minister Schumann described the regulation as a "milestone."

Unions and the Chamber of Labor had demanded mandatory rules. Heat breaks in construction are only voluntary from 32.5 degrees. In this case, workers continue to receive 60 percent of their wages. With the example of hairdressers, the vida union and the Chamber of Labor demanded rules like those in the heat protection regulation - which does not provide for heat breaks - for indoor jobs as well, just yesterday.

(APA/Red)

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