BackWorking safely in summer – how to avoid overheating and take care of your health?
Summer is a time of high temperatures, which can impact work comfort and safety—especially outdoors or in production halls. Overheating, dehydration, and heatstroke are real threats that shouldn’t be underestimated. Working safely in summer—how to stay healthy during hot weather? What is the maximum working temperature? What are employers’ responsibilities during hot weather?
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Working in high temperatures – how does it affect the human body?
- What is the maximum temperature in the workplace?
- Employer obligations during hot weather – what does the Labor Code say?
- When can an employer reduce working hours during hot weather?
- How to take care of yourself during hot weather?
Working in High Temperatures – How Does It Affect the Human Body?
Summer is a time when many workers – especially those performing physical labor – are exposed to high temperatures. While the sun may be associated with vacation relaxation, for those working in the heat it often poses a real threat to health, and sometimes even life.
How Does High Temperature Affect the Human Body?
Extreme heat stresses the body, leading to accelerated fatigue, decreased concentration, and impaired physical and mental performance. High temperatures can cause, among other things:
- dehydration,
- heat stroke,
- fainting,
- heart problems,
- headaches and dizziness.
Prolonged physical work in full sun without adequate breaks and hydration can result in hospitalization.
What is the maximum temperature in the workplace?
With the arrival of hot weather, questions are increasingly being asked about the permissible temperature conditions in the workplace and whether there is a specific maximum temperature above which an employer must suspend work. Although the Labor Code does not specify a single specific limit, applicable occupational health and safety regulations and regulations mandate the obligation to ensure safe and hygienic working conditions.
Polish labor law does not strictly define the temperature above which work is prohibited. However, there are recommendations from occupational health and safety experts that help assess whether conditions are appropriate.
It is generally accepted that:
- 30°C is the maximum permissible temperature for office workers,
- 28°C is the limit for heavy physical work,
- 26°C applies to work in particularly difficult conditions (e.g., high humidity, limited ventilation).
Additionally, in the case of pregnant women and young workers, the maximum temperature in work rooms should not exceed 30°C.
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Employer Obligations During Hot Weather – What Does the Labor Code Say?
During the summer, temperatures can significantly exceed comfortable levels, which poses a real health risk to employees, especially those performing physical work outdoors. In such conditions, it is important to ensure safe working conditions that comply with regulations. What does the Labor Code say about this, and what are the specific obligations of employers?
The Labor Code and occupational health and safety regulations clearly state that employers are obligated to provide employees with working conditions that comply with hygiene and safety principles. Employers must provide employees with access to cooling beverages, and in cases of work in high temperatures, for example, above 28°C indoors or 25°C outdoors, the type of beverage is not specified, but employers most often offer drinking water at work.
Employers may, but are not obligated to, provide other ways to care for their employees during hot weather. For example, they may allow more frequent breaks, arrange work in shaded rest areas, or shorten working hours. However, it is important to remember that these are not obligations, but rather the employer’s goodwill.
When can an employer reduce working hours in hot weather?
Although the law does not specify a specific temperature at which employers are required to reduce working hours, they have the ability to do so to protect the health of their employees. High temperatures, especially when working outdoors or during strenuous physical activity, can cause decreased concentration, dehydration, and even health-threatening overheating.
Reducing working hours in hot weather is therefore an expression of a responsible approach to creating appropriate working conditions. It is a preventative measure aimed at reducing the risks associated with excessive body heat.
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How to take care of yourself in hot weather?
Protecting yourself from heat is not only a matter of comfort, but above all, health. When working in high temperatures, it’s worth paying special attention to several important aspects that will help minimize the negative effects of the sun and high temperatures.
First and foremost, protect your body from excessive UV radiation. High-factor sunscreen should be applied regularly, especially when working outdoors. Protecting your body also means wearing appropriate protective clothing. Depending on the type of work, clothing should be adapted to the prevailing working conditions. It’s also important to ensure eye protection, hand protection, and regular hydration. You can also use preventative drinks, such as electrolytes, to properly hydrate your body.
Personal protective equipment is selected depending on weather conditions and the nature of the work performed. It’s also important to remember to regularly hydrate your body and take breaks in the shade or air-conditioned spaces to allow your body to cool down and regenerate (if possible).
Working in summer poses risks, especially when temperatures reach very high levels. Summer health hazards can have serious consequences, so it’s crucial to take care of yourself and your employees during this time. Labor regulations require employers to ensure safe working conditions for their employees, which is why they must provide free drinking water at work during extreme heat.
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