The hardship threshold for road drivers could be lowered from 120 to 100 nights worked per year, provided that at least one hour is devoted to driving or handling between midnight and 5 a.m., according to the current proposals of the First Minister for Pension Reform.
However, the criteria for extreme temperatures remain unchanged, and a new criterion for carrying heavy loads could be added. Reinforced medical follow-up would also be provided to monitor back pain and other consequences of carrying heavy loads, although this may prove difficult to recognize.