The Labour Inspectorate for Transport, which has been in existence since 1952, is tasked with overseeing compliance with occupational safety and health legislation in transport undertakings.

Its remit encompasses

• railway undertakings as defined by the Railways Act; (including not only main and branch line railways but also, for example, connecting railways, cable railways and chair lifts, tramways, underground railways and trolleybuses);
• sleeper and dining car operators and coachwork builders and repairers;
• the two companies Österreichische Post AG and Telekom Austria AG;
• undertakings specialising in the provision of leased lines and public telephone services pursuant to the Telecommunications Act 2003 (TKG 2003);
• motor vehicle operators (buses) owned by railway companies and cable railways, together with ÖBB–Postbus GmbH;
• shipping companies (inland and maritime navigation), and
• civilian airport operators, airlines and air safety operators.

These undertakings employ a total workforce of approximately 136 000.
The tasks, rights and obligations of the Labour Inspectorate for Transport are set out in the Federal Labour Inspectorate for Transport Act (VAIG 1994), Federal Law Gazette No. 650/1994, as last amended by the 70 Federal Act (Federal Law Gazette I No. 70/2003).

The tasks of the Labour Inspectorate for Transport are essentially

• to improve occupational safety and health in the transport industry through appropriate legislation and by helping in the formulation of national and international standards;
• to take part in all administrative procedures pertinent to transport operators and their employees (licensing, authorisation, approval) which seek to ensure compliance with occupational safety and health requirements;
• to monitor transport operators' compliance with occupational safety and health legislation and advise employers and workforce on all matters of relevance to health and safety at work.