In accordance with the provisions of the Labor and Health and Safety Code, the boss must provide his subordinates with access to drinking water and hygienic and sanitary water. The employer should also allow breaks to be taken during work, but their frequency and length depend mainly on his individual regulations, as well as the possible reduction of working time. Office workers staying in modern buildings are, of course, supported by air conditioning. But what about old buildings and production halls with inefficient ventilation systems? Here, the creativity of the owners is important, and it is advisable, for example, to set up fans. One of the companies cooperating with us showed ingenuity and in addition to fans, in the production hall also set up freezers with sorbets for employees.

I would also like to point out that there are professions that are particularly risky to perform in hot weather. It is primarily about people working in various types of cold stores and freezers. Improper preparation for work in a cold store causes that employees are exposed to various ailments and diseases, and the very high danger is additionally intensified by heat waves. Depending on the profession, the temperature in this type of places can be even below 20 degrees Celsius. It is very important that employees have the opportunity to „thaw” in a suitable room with a slightly reduced temperature. A temperature difference of well over 50 degrees can cause a real shock to the body. In a critical case, it may end up for such an employee with a heart attack and, as a consequence, even death.

Regardless of their profession, I appeal to all employers and employees to be more cautious and monitor their health during the heat wave. At the same time, I would like to remind you that in a situation where working conditions do not comply with occupational health and safety regulations and pose a direct threat to the health or life of the employee, he has the right to refrain from performing his duties. The employer may not deprive the employee of remuneration for such a period of withdrawal from the performance of tasks. In addition, he is exposed to a fine – from 1 to 30 thousand zlotys.

Source: https://www.prawo.pl/kadry/upaly-obowiazki-pracodawcy-zawody-podwyzszonego-ryzyka,515987.html

Projekt otrzymał dofinansowanie z Norwegii poprzez Fundusze Norweskie 2014-2021, w ramach programu „Dialog społeczny – godna praca”.