Maximum workplace temperatures: New employer obligations for the protection of employees in Poland

At a glance

• As a rule, work may not be performed if the temperature exceeds 35°C in work premises and 32°C in the case of certain physically demanding outdoor work, subject to certain exceptions provided for in the Regulation of the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy amending the Regulation on General Occupational Health and Safety Provisions (Regulation).
• Employers will be required to implement technical or organisational measures to reduce the impact of high temperatures on employees’ health where workplace temperatures exceed 28°C, or 25°C in the case of work involving significant physical exertion.
• Organisational measures will need to be agreed following consultations with employees and, in certain cases, after obtaining the opinion of an occupational health physician.
• The Regulation will enter into force on 11 January 2027.

---

On 10 July 2026, the Regulation was published. It introduces, for the first time under Polish law, general maximum temperature limits applicable in the workplace and additional obligations for employers aimed at protecting employees from the effects of heat.

Maximum temperatures at work

The Regulation introduces maximum workplace temperature limits.

The maximum permissible temperature in work premises is 35°C. For certain categories of physically demanding outdoor work, the maximum permissible temperature is 32°C. This applies to work involving energy expenditure exceeding:

• 1,500 kcal per shift for men and;
• 1,000 kcal per shift for women.

As a rule, work may not be performed once these limits are exceeded. An exception applies where technological requirements make compliance with the temperature limits impossible. In addition, specific exemptions apply to certain types of work and occupations.

Exceptions

The maximum temperature rules will not apply to certain categories of work that may be performed on Sundays and public holidays, including, among others:

• continuous operations;
• transport and communications;
• property protection and security services;
• agriculture and animal husbandry;
• catering services;
• hotel operations;
• healthcare facilities and other medical institutions providing round-the-clock or day-long healthcare services; and
• entities operating in the fields of culture, education, tourism and leisure.

New employer obligations in periods of high temperatures

The amendment introduces new obligations requiring employers to take action before the maximum temperature limits are reached. Employers will be required to implement appropriate technical or organisational measures where the temperature in work premises exceeds 28°C. The same obligation will apply where the temperature exceeds 25°C in the case of work involving energy expenditure exceeding:

• 1,500 kcal per shift for men and;
•  1,000 kcal per shift for women.

For outdoor work, employers will be required to introduce appropriate organisational measures once the temperature exceeds 25°C.

Employers will be required to introduce technical solutions designed to lower workplace temperatures or prevent further increases (unless technological requirements make this impossible), as well as organisational measures adapted to the specific working conditions and the nature of the work, aimed at minimising risks to employees’ health.

Consultations with employees

Employers will be required to determine appropriate organisational measures following consultations with employees.

Where a Health and Safety Committee operates within the organisation, consultations should be carried out through that Committee.

If no Health and Safety Committee has been established, the employer will be required to consult directly with employees or their representatives in accordance with the occupational health and safety consultation process provided for under the Labour Code and obtain the opinion of the occupational health physician responsible for employees' preventive healthcare. Employee representatives are appointed by trade union organisations operating within the employer's undertaking or, where no such organisations exist, elected by employees in accordance with the procedure adopted at the workplace.

As part of this process, employees or their representatives may submit proposals and comments regarding measures aimed at eliminating or reducing workplace risks.

Once the consultations have been completed, the employer will be required to inform employees, in the manner customarily adopted within the workplace, about the organisational measures that have been implemented. 

Entry into force

The Regulation will enter into force six months after their publication, on 11 January 2027. The changes mean that employers should begin preparing procedures relating to work organisation during periods of high temperatures and carry out the required consultations before the Regulation takes effect.