Background information

In order to ensure the power supply despite the corona virus, the energy provider Wien Energie uses isolation stations. 53 employees of Wien Energie volunteered to isolate themselves at company locations. They are spending several weeks there, cut off from the outside world, to prevent infection with all possibilities. All workers had been medically tested before isolation. These employees are to move in when no one else can. The tasks range from system control to maintenance and minor repairs. At the same time, operations at the locations continue as normal.

Content of measure

To make this isolation possible, residential containers were set up at power plants and waste incineration plants. In addition, provisional power plant controls were set up or conference rooms converted into dormitories, as Wien Energie wrote in the company blog. There is also a supply of food. In addition, they offer occupational psychological support.

Shift plans were adjusted according to emergency plans in the areas critical for the supply (e.g. power plants, waste incineration plants, control centers and waiting rooms). No workers who are not required for operations are allowed on the factory premises. As far as possible, work for other employees is to be provided in the home office. Precautions have been taken for possible quarantine cases. Certain areas of the plant, such as crane systems in the waste incineration plants, could be operated in part automatically.

Use of measure

So far, 53 employees of Wien Energie have themselves isolated at company grounds.

Contents

• Health and safety

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Workers in essential services	Does not apply to businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
Company / Companies Public support service providers	No special funding required

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement	No involvement as case not in social partner domain
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: Company level

Involvement

Company initiative.

Views and reactions

No views/reactions.

Sectors and occupations

This case is not occupation-specific.

Sources

• 20 March 2020: Wien Energie isolates employees to ensure electricity supply (futurezone.at)
• 21 March 2020: Isolation during Corona - Cut off from the Outside World Isolation during Corona – Cut off from the Outside World Isolation during Corona – Cut off from the Outside World (blog.wienenergie.at)
• 17 April 2020: End of isolation Vienna Energy (industriemagazin.at)