Heat at the Workplace: Two Thirds Affected – ÖGB

The consequences are made clear by the effects of high temperatures: Already at 32.5 degrees, the risk of accidents rises by 6 percent, and from 35 degrees, performance losses of up to 50 percent are to be expected. These figures point to tangible risks for health and productivity.

On the part of companies, protection appears rather modest. The vast majority of companies (67 percent) rely on natural cooling. According to their own statements, 44 percent of participants had shading available. In 38 percent of cases, air-conditioned vehicles or break rooms were available. In addition, 43 percent pointed to cool beverages at the workplace.

At the same time, employees wish for more far-reaching measures. Active cooling is on the wish list for 56 percent. More than every second person (55 percent) also wishes for the involvement of the works council as well as the use of sun protection films. Around 63 percent of survey participants are also in favor of dedicated heat officers in companies.

The demands thus target not only technical solutions but also organizational structures. Works councils and dedicated personnel are accordingly meant to help effectively counter heat-related strain and reliably represent employees' concerns.

Background

Background

Demands on Policymakers

So far, around 2,400 employees have taken part in the survey. The ÖGB evaluates the data as an ongoing online survey and sees a clear mandate for action in the responses. The results suggest that voluntary measures by individual employers are not sufficient to protect employees across the board.

Assessment

Demands on policymakers

With a view to the figures, the ÖGB points to the need for binding regulations: cooling, sun protection, works council involvement, and heat officers should no longer depend on the goodwill of individual employers. The trade union intends to continue evaluating the ongoing survey and to feed its conclusions into current labor law debates.

Assessment

The results fit into a broader discussion on climate adaptation in the workplace. With rising summer temperatures, the pressure on companies to make their spaces and processes heat-resilient is growing. The ÖGB data point to the need to supplement voluntary incentives with clear standards and explicit personnel responsibility.