
Even though it feels distant given the current temperatures, many people recently struggled under rising heat. Statistically, heatwaves are occurring more frequently, affecting construction workers in particular. However, the construction workers’ union (GBH) considers the current voluntary heat leave regulations a failure. According to the union, these are applied to only one in five cases when the option is available or appropriate. They argue that a legal mandate is needed.
“The data is clear: voluntariness fails,” said chief construction unionist and FSG leader Josef Muchitsch to APA. “We finally need legal requirements to ensure mandatory action when temperatures exceed 32.5 degrees Celsius.” He emphasizes that this is about a “future-oriented adjustment of labor law” and that heat leave ultimately involves “just a few hours.”
The construction industry has a special provision for heat. It allows companies to send workers home when the temperature reaches 32.5 degrees or higher. However, this is not mandatory—naturally, not all employers use this option. When heat leave is granted, both employees and employers are entitled to reimbursement from the BUAK (Construction Workers’ Holiday and Severance Fund), which they jointly fund.
Record Heat Days This Year
This year, BUAK recorded a record 29 heat days with temperatures exceeding 32.5 degrees Celsius in the shade, measured at weather stations near construction sites by Geosphere Austria. With increasingly accurate weather forecasts, “there are no excuses anymore—employers and clients can plan for heat days in advance, whether for delivery deadlines or construction schedules.”
In addition to legally binding heat leave under occupational safety laws, GBH is also calling for penalties for non-compliance. They further advocate for shifts in working hours to start earlier in the day. It is also anticipated that construction activities will increasingly occur during the winter months. If heat leave causes slight delays, “penalties must not be imposed.”
Crisis in Construction, Fewer Workers Employed
In 2024, an average of 135,912 workers were employed in BUAK sectors during the summer months of May to September, according to data obtained by APA. Of these, 27,808 received heat leave—20.46%. In 2023, with 19 recorded heat days, the proportion was similar at 20.14%, benefiting 29,078 workers out of 144,325 BUAK employees.
In 2022, with 24 heat days, one-quarter (25.91%) of the 149,880 BUAK employees received heat leave—38,842 individuals. In 2019, with 25 heat days, the figure was 26.97%.
“It’s About Hours, Not Entire Workdays”
SPÖ politician Muchitsch dismisses concerns about time pressure on construction sites and potential delays, pointing to the duty of care. “A few hours of heat leave protect the health of workers without jeopardizing construction progress.” He emphasizes that this is about a few hours, not entire workdays.
This year, an average of 2.97 hours of heat leave per employee was granted. The highest average per person was 3.67 hours in 2020.