Working in the heat is neither pleasant nor safe. Therefore, the Labor Code clearly defines the rights and obligations of employees and their employers. Example? The employer should provide employees with sufficient drinking water, and the employee may even stop work if the heat makes him feel unwell. As the days get hotter, it's important to know what we are en titled to.
Working in heatcan be exhausting for both manual and office workers. Sometimes - impossible. Therefore, it is the employers' duty to provide their subordinates with appropriate conditions, as specified in the Labor Code. It is also in their interest - the human body has its limitations after all.
The heat can not only lead to sunburn (heat stroke) when you work outside, but also disrupt the circulatory (blood) system, respiratory system, and even the digestive system. It has been proven that in hot weather as many as20 percent . productivityæ and o19 percentabilityconcentrationamong office workers.
To avoid this, employers must take care ofpsychophysical comfortof their subordinates. They can, for example :
- extend work breaks (so-called regeneration breaks),
- install additional fans,
- shorten or shift the working hours (the employee does not have to work off shorter "days"),
- set up roofing for people working outside the building.
These are issues that depend on their goodwill. But there are also those that are strictly regulated by law.
Worker's rights in hot weather
- Water
The primary responsibility of the employer in hot weather is to provide employees with access to water. It is regulated by he alth and safety regulations.
But the truth is, water needs to be available not only when it's hot outside, but always. It may be tap water, but of course safe to drink, and the place where it is drawn should be no more than75 mfrom the work stations.
This is stated in paragraph 112 of the ordinance of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of September 26, 1997 on general provisions on he alth and safety at work. If the Sanepid finds that the water is unfit for consumption, then the employer is obligedprovide water from another source, e.g. bottled or from a dispenser - in the amount depending on the needs of employees and available at all times. The employer does not have the right to charge a fee for this water, nor to pay employees any amount as the equivalent of drinks!
- Other drinks
In particularly difficult working conditions, i.e. when working outdoors at over25 degrees Cor indoors at over28 degrees C, the employer is also obliged to provide employeescold drinksenriched with mineral s alts and vitamins.
He is also obliged to assess the level of psychophysical fitness of the employee. If he feels unwell, he should not go to work.
Working in particularly difficult conditions is, for example :
- construction, demolition, renovation and assembly works carried out without stopping the operation of the workplace or its part
- work in tanks, canals, interior of technical devices and other dangerous confined spaces
- work with hazardous materials
- work at height
- Washing water
Workers in the construction sector who work outdoors must also have water for washing - approx.90 liters per person / day .
- Air conditioning - mandatory, but under certain conditions
Air circulation significantly improves the comfort of work of employees. It is true that the employer is not obliged to install air conditioning or fans, e.g. in the office, but if he has already done it, he mustkeep the devicesin a proper technical condition, they should be regularly cleaned and fumigated, they cannot alsowork too loud .
The employer is obliged to provide employees with an air-conditioned rest room only if the work is performed in rooms where the temperature caused by technological processes isconstantly higher than 30 degrees C , example in steel mills or foundries.
Do not overdo itcooling rooms , because too much temperature difference can lead to illness.
Young workers (16-18 years old) cannot work at all when the temperature in the room exceeds30 degrees Cand its humidity is above65 percent.
- Roller blinds in windows
He alth and safety regulations state that the employer is obliged to protect employees against excessive solar radiation by shading the windows. They should be fitted with roller shutters or shutters.
ATTENTION!If the employer does not provide employees with water, as well as other conditions for safe and comfortable work, he may expect a fine of up toPLN 30,000- what is art. 283 paragraph 1 of the Labor Code. The employee has the right to point out to the supervisor if the supervisor fails to fulfill his obligations. If this does not help, he / she may file a complaint to the District Labor Inspector in Warsaw.
Employee's duties in hot weather
The employee should not "charge" if the weather conditions are not favorable for work. If he feels unwell or thinks that the type of work performed during the heat may endanger the safety of himself or other employees, he is obliged to notify his employer about it.
This is stated in article 210 paragraph 1 of the Labor Code: "If the working conditions do not meet the he alth and safety at work regulations and pose a direct threat to the he alth or life of the employee, or if the work performed by him poses such a danger to other people, the employee has the right to refrain from performing work, notifying his superior immediately about it. "
When an employee refuses to work for the above-mentioned reasons, the employer cannot reduce his salary for that time.
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