Austria: Unionists build alliance with industry actors to combat heat risks in construction
Collectively responding to the escalating challenges posed by climate change, the BWI-affiliated Construction and Wood Workers’ Trade Union of Austria (GBH), the Austrian Federal Construction Guild and the Austrian Construction Industry Association (WKO Bau) have partnered with the Motorway and Expressway Financing Corporation (ASFINAG) to launch a groundbreaking campaign aimed at protecting construction workers from extreme heat conditions.
This unprecedented alliance emphasises the importance of prioritising worker health and safety amid rising temperatures, particularly for those engaged in outdoor construction activities. The campaign advocates for measures such as adjusting work hours to cooler periods of the day and implementing "heat-free" workdays when temperatures surpass 32.5 degrees Celsius.
Josef Muchitsch, GBH Federal Chairman and member of parliament, underscored the significance of these initiatives, stating, “Our campaign ensures that construction workers operate under conditions that don’t jeopardize their health. Adjusting work hours, providing drinking water, and ensuring adequate breaks are essential to minimize heat stress.”
ASFINAG, responsible for Austria’s motorway infrastructure, has already implemented standards that adjust penalties for project delays caused by extreme heat. Hartwig Hufnagl, ASFINAG board member, commented, “We support greater fairness in construction and recognize the need for workplace adjustments to cope with climate change’s effects.”
Despite the pressing need to protect workers, challenges remain in addressing project deadlines and associated costs. Peter Krammer, chairman of the Construction Industry Association, noted, “We are committed to protecting our workers' health. However, project deadlines create pressure, and the issue of increased costs due to extended construction times remains unresolved.”