Sudden increases in temperatures, droughts and increasingly intense sunshine are becoming an increasingly frequent element of our daily lives with climate change. These phenomena mean not only challenges to the economy, but also a growing threat to health and life.

Today, heat waves are the experience of millions of people, including in Poland. Therefore, proper preparation should cover not only our homes, but also the workplaces where we spend a significant part of the day. High temperature can reduce concentration, increase fatigue, lead to dehydration and, in extreme cases, even heat stroke. As a consequence, the risk of making mistakes and accidents at work also increases.

The Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy and other public institutions regularly remind about basic safety rules during hot weather. Among the most important recommendations are to hydrate the body properly, avoid excessive exertion during the hottest hours of the day, wear airy clothing and use shaded or air-conditioned rooms. Experts also emphasize that during high temperatures it is worth paying special attention to people most exposed to the effects of heat - seniors, chronically ill people, taking certain medications, small children and animals. The Central Institute of Labor Protection and the State Labor Inspectorate also remind about the obligations of employers. The regulations oblige the employer, among other things, to provide employees with free drinks in conditions of high temperature, as well as to organize work in a way that reduces the risks associated with heat. Depending on the nature of the duties performed, this may mean ensuring adequate ventilation, protection from direct sunlight, the possibility of taking breaks or adapting the organization of working time to the prevailing conditions.

Although regulations specify minimum obligations, safety in hot weather depends on shared responsibility. It is worth observing not only your own well-being, but also reacting when a co-worker shows signs of overheating or dehydration. Sometimes a simple glass of water, a short break or an interest in the other person's condition can have a real impact on their health and safety.

Employer: Protecting employees during the summer season is not a choice, but an obligation

Next year, new regulations on working in the heat will come into force. This means that from January 11, 2027 the employer will have to take into account the specified maximum temperature values in the working environment. The temperature will not be able to exceed 35°C in working roomsand in the case of work carried out in an open space, associated with heavy physical exertion - 32°C. This applies to jobs in which, during the work shift, the effective energy expenditure of the body exceeds 1500 kcal (6280 kJ) in men and 1000 kcal (4187 kJ) in women.

However, this is not the only change that aims to protect workers from often disastrous conditions for health. When the temperature in the working room reaches 28°C, and with heavy physical work performed indoors — 25°C, the employer will be obliged to apply appropriate technical solutions to reduce or limit the increase in temperature. If technological considerations do not allow it, it will have to use other organizational solutions that will minimize the impact of temperature on the health of employees. In the open space, appropriate organizational actions will be required after reaching 25°C, regardless of the type of work performed.

The new rules also provide for exceptions related, among others, to the need to ensure the continuity of basic public services, the security of the state and citizens or the care of patients. Certain groups of employees, including uniformed service officers and soldiers, will also be exempted from some duties.

Today it is worth remembering that — as he writes Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy:

“The employer has an obligation to ensure the efficient and safe functioning of the air conditioning and ventilation system. These include regular inspections and servicing of equipment. Air conditioning must not cool rooms too much or cause drafts. Ventilation should not be burdensome for workers (noise, vibration).”

Special protection also applies to pregnant and lactating women and juvenile workers.

Climate change and increasingly frequent heat waves are a very big change in the working environment, which affects the health, quality of functioning and even the risk of loss of life for workers - which also translates into the functioning of the entire economy. Appropriate compliance with the regulations and compliance with health and safety rules is particularly important from the point of view of the employer, who is not only responsible for working conditions, but should also take into account how high temperatures affect the efficiency and quality of the work performed, as well as the overall safety of the organization. The perspective of care, responsibility and care should be particularly important today — at a time when there is so much talk about a culture of safety at work and wellness. After all, heat is already a much more serious factor, representing not only “discomfort”, but often a serious threat to life and health.

Today, from the employer's perspective, it is worth remembering to provide water and drinks for employees and to use more frequent breaks at work, e.g. through a rotating work system. Other rules recommended by the CIOP also include the organization of places of shade and rest or a water curtain and the restriction of exposing employees to the so-called “fire test”, that is, work during the hottest heat. CIOP experts also emphasize that mindfulness plays an important role - a supervisor who reacts quickly to the first signs of overheating and recalls the rules of first aid is a supervisor who is truly responsible for his team.

Employee: taking care of yourself is a responsibility

Although much is said about the responsibility of the employer when applying health and safety rules at work, the employee should also keep in mind that without proper preparation, the heat can be fatal for him in the consequences. During such weather conditions, you need to drink more, even before you feel thirsty, take breaks if the body requires it, use head protection and sunscreen, and also immediately inform the employer or colleagues about the malaise. Quick information and response can really save lives.

How to react in case of overheating?

First of all, you need to familiarize yourself with its symptoms, which include:

dizziness,
imbalance,
Nausea,
accelerated heart rate,
subfebrile condition,
delirium,
hot and dry skin or profuse sweating,
chills,
disorders of consciousness, including loss of consciousness.

When we observe a situation in which an employee requires help, we should take him out to a cool and shady place, give him water, wet his face, arms and legs, and loosen his clothes.

In the absence of improvement, it is necessary to call an ambulance, performing the necessary actions during this time.

More tips for working in hot weather can be read in the information brochure “Let's take care of ourselves” prepared by the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy.

summary

Heat waves are also becoming an increasing challenge for the working environment, which is why safety during high temperatures should be a shared responsibility of employers and employees. The new regulations, which will come into force in 2027, strengthen the protection of workers, but already today, proper work organization, hydration and a quick response to the symptoms of overheating can really protect health and life.