Heat protection checks find violations in one in four Vienna inspections

Inspections in Vienna have found at least one shortcoming in around one in four checks of mandatory heat protection measures for outdoor work, ORF Wien reported. Since the regulation took effect at the start of the year, labour inspectors have conducted 465 inspections.

At 126 inspections, or 27 percent, inspectors found at least one deficiency. They recorded 230 violations of the heat protection regulation in total. Vienna’s labour inspectorates also provided 556 consultations on heat protection, the Labour Inspectorate told ORF Wien.

The regulation requires employers to implement and document protective measures once GeoSphere Austria issues a level-two heat warning, known as a yellow warning, for temperatures of 30 to 34 degrees Celsius. Measures can include additional breaks, drinking water and adjusted working hours.

Special rule for construction workers

A separate rule applies to construction workers. If the temperature measured in the shade exceeds 32.5 degrees Celsius, employers may stop outdoor work. Workers are then entitled to compensation equal to 60 percent of their wages, administered by the Construction Workers’ Holiday and Severance Pay Fund, known as BUAK.

However, stopping work is optional rather than mandatory. Construction workers have no legal entitlement to be released from work because of heat. The Chamber of Labour and the Construction and Wood Workers’ Union have criticised this and are calling for such a legal right.