Government Proposes Ban on Work Above 32°C Outdoors, 35°C Indoors in Poland

The Polish government is advancing a proposal to establish maximum temperature limits for workplaces, aiming to protect employees during heatwaves. The latest version of the draft regulation, developed by the Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Policy, introduces specific temperature thresholds that could lead to a suspension of work.

Under the proposed rules, indoor work would be prohibited if the temperature exceeds 35°C (95°F). For heavy physical labor performed outdoors, the limit would be set at 32°C (89.6°F). These limits would not apply if technological considerations prevent temperature reduction. Previously, the draft suggested lower indoor limits and focused more on employer obligations to provide cooling solutions.

If indoor temperatures surpass 28°C (82.4°F) or 25°C (77°F) for heavy outdoor work, employers must implement technical or organizational measures to lower the temperature or minimize its health impact. For outdoor work during heat exceeding 25°C (77°F), employers are already obligated to take organizational steps.

The most significant change in the latest draft is the direct prohibition of work once these maximum temperatures are reached, except for specific roles like uniformed officers. This marks a shift from previous versions, which primarily focused on mitigation strategies rather than outright work stoppages. The implementation deadline for these new regulations has been postponed by one year, to January 1, 2027.

Business representatives have expressed criticism, citing concerns about the economic consequences for sectors like construction, manufacturing, and logistics. Katarzyna Kamecka from the Polish Economic Society noted that a thorough assessment of the regulatory impact seems to be lacking, questioning whether the economic ramifications for various industries have been adequately analyzed.

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Such a far-reaching change should be preceded by a thorough assessment of the regulatory impact. It is difficult to find an answer to the question of whether the economic consequences of such a solution for individual sectors have been analyzed.