Due to the upcoming summer season and the associated heat, PIP reminds about the basic regulations and principles of occupational health and safety.
Obligations of employers during hot weather
Drinks
The employer should provide employees with drinks free of charge when the temperature at work stations exceeds 28⁰C and in open spaces above 25⁰C. Drinks should be available at all times, in quantities meeting the needs of employees, and appropriately cold or hot, depending on the working conditions.
Water for hygiene purposes
Employers are obliged to provide employees with access to running water for hygiene purposes.
For dirty work performed at high temperatures or requiring appropriate hygiene of technological processes, the employer is obliged to provide at least 90 liters of water per day for each employee for hygiene purposes.
Air conditioning and ventilation
Ensure that ventilation and air conditioning equipment is operational and clean.
Air conditioning and ventilation must not cause drafts or cold in the work rooms.
The air stream should not be directed directly at the workstation.
Windows and skylights
Windows and skylights should be equipped with protection against excessive sunlight, e.g. roller blinds or blinds.
Organization of work outside
When assessing the occupational risk related to outdoor work, the employer should take into account the employee's exposure to solar radiation and provide appropriate preventive measures, e.g. head protection, protective clothing that allows less sunlight to penetrate and a cream with a filter protecting against UV radiation.
When working outdoors, employees should be able to rest in a shaded and covered place.
Employers may introduce job rotation and additional breaks to allow employees to rest and recuperate.
The employer may decide to shorten working hours during hot weather.
However, shortening working hours and additional breaks cannot result in a reduction in the remuneration due to employees.
Juveniles
Juvenile workers must not be employed in rooms where the air temperature exceeds 30⁰C and the relative air humidity is 65%.
