Poland introduces heat‑related work stoppage rules

Polish labour minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz‑Bąk has signed a regulation setting maximum temperature limits for workplaces. If indoor temperatures exceed 35 °C or outdoor temperatures exceed 32 °C, work must be temporarily stopped. Additional “alarm” thresholds – 25 °C for heavy indoor work, 28 °C for other indoor work and 25 °C for outdoor work – require employers to provide cooling measures, extra breaks, shortened hours or altered shifts. The rules also obligate employers to implement technical solutions such as air‑conditioning or organisational changes to reduce heat exposure. Workers already have the right to leave a hazardous workstation and must continue to receive pay. The regulation comes into force six months after publication, i.e., next year, and will be backed by intensified inspections and heavy fines for non‑compliance. A United Surveys/IBRiS poll showed 59.2 % of Poles favour such heat‑related protections.