Publication date: June 02, 2025
The employer is obliged to provide employees with working conditions that meet the requirements of occupational health and safety in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Labor and Social Policy on general occupational health and safety regulations (Journal of Laws 2003.169.1650). Compliance with these rules is crucial for the protection of the health of employees and their comfort while performing their duties.
According to Polish legal provisions, the employer must keep the work premises clean and tidy and ensure their regular renovation and maintenance to ensure safe working conditions. The premises should be suitably equipped, ensuring proper lighting, temperature and air exchange, as well as protection against harmful factors such as moisture, vibrations or noise. In places where harmful substances are present, measures should be taken to prevent their penetration into other rooms. Walls and ceilings should be covered with materials that prevent the deposition of dirt and facilitate their cleaning.
Lighting of work premises should be adapted to the type of tasks performed. Daylighting should be provided in permanent work premises, and if this is not possible, obtain the consent of the sanitary inspector to use only electric lighting. At the same time, in accordance with Directive 89/654/EEC, work places must have natural lighting to the extent possible and be equipped with artificial lighting – sufficient to ensure the safety and health of the employee. Lighting must meet the standards specified in the regulations, and in places where a sudden loss of light may pose a threat, it is necessary to use emergency lighting. In accordance with Directive 89/654/EEC, work places where employees will be particularly at risk in the event of a lighting failure must have emergency lighting of appropriate intensity. Lighting installations in rooms where work stations are located and in corridors must be installed so that they do not expose employees to the risk of accidents resulting from the type of lighting used. Windows and skylights must be clean and allow for an adequate supply of light, and should also have devices protecting against excessive sunlight. It must also be possible for employees to open and close windows, skylights and vents safely, and open windows must be positioned so that they do not pose a risk to employees. According to Directive 89/654/EEC, windows and skylights must be designed so that the possibility of using washing equipment is taken into account or they must be equipped with devices that allow them to be washed without risk, both for employees performing this work and for other people inside or near the building.
In the work premises it is necessary to ensure an appropriate temperature adapted to the type of duties performed. The minimum temperature in the work premises cannot be lower than 14°C, and in offices and places where light physical work is performed, it should be at least 18°C. At the same time, on the basis of Directive 89/654/EEC, during work the temperature of the rooms in which the workstations are located must be appropriate for the human body, taking into account the method of work and the physical effort necessary to perform it. The temperature of rooms intended for rest, rooms for guards, toilets, canteens and first aid rooms must be adapted to their purpose, which also results from the provisions of Directive 89/654/EEC. Additionally, windows, skylights and glass partitions should not let in excessive amounts of sunlight, taking into account the type and place of work. Ventilation must be adapted to the conditions of use of the rooms, ensuring effective removal of pollutants and appropriate air exchange. In places where there is a risk of harmful substances being released, ventilation should prevent the concentration limits from being exceeded.
Workplace organization and occupational risk assessment
The employer is required to identify hazards and conduct an occupational risk assessment. They must implement preventive measures aimed at eliminating or limiting hazards related to the work performed and adapt conditions to the needs of employees. Each employee should be informed about the hazards occurring at their position and trained in the principles of occupational health and safety. This issue is regulated in § 39c of the commented regulation, which states that the employer informs employees about existing hazards, in particular about hazards against which personal protective equipment will protect them, and provides information about these measures and the principles of their use.
Work regulations, safety and first aid
In addition, work regulations, specifying the rights and obligations of both the employer and employees in the scope of work organization, should take into account the provisions on occupational health and safety and fire protection. They should also specify the method of informing employees about the occupational risk resulting from the performed duties, in accordance with art. 104¹ § 1 point 8 of the Polish Labor Code.
Occupational health and safety instructions must be available to employees and concern the technological processes used, the operation of machinery and the principles of first aid. Each change in the technological process should be preceded by a safety analysis. The employer is obliged to provide first aid points and first aid kits, which should be appropriately marked and available at every workplace. First aid kits should be serviced by people trained in first aid.
Ergonomic Workstation – Requirements and Principles
Workstations should be adapted to the type of duties performed, ensuring ergonomics and safety. Appropriate access and passageways should be provided, which should be free from obstacles and also adapted to the needs of disabled people. Employees performing work requiring prolonged standing should have the opportunity to rest in a seated position.
An ergonomic workstation is crucial for the health and comfort of employees. Desks and chairs should allow for maintaining a correct body posture, which prevents musculoskeletal disorders. Chairs should be adjustable in height and have adequate support for the spine, while monitors should be set at eye level to avoid excessive head tilt. The keyboard and mouse must be at the right height and distance, which reduces muscle tension and joint strain.
Access to drinking water and preventive beverages
The employer is also obliged to provide access to clean and safe drinking water. It should be available in easily accessible places, especially in conditions of increased physical effort or high temperature. In situations requiring the provision of prophylactic drinks, they should be provided in appropriate quantity and quality. The employer is obliged to provide all employees with water suitable for drinking or other drinks, and in particularly difficult conditions also drinks adapted to the working conditions and physiological needs of employees. Places where drinking water should be drawn should be located no further than 75 meters from workstations and be protected from contamination.