Poland adopts new workplace heat limits, mandating breaks and stoppages above 35°C

Poland will enforce new occupational health and safety rules that set specific temperature thresholds for work environments. Effective 11 January 2027, work must be halted when indoor temperatures exceed 35 °C and when heavy outdoor work reaches 32 °C. Employers must take protective actions earlier – at 28 °C indoors and 25 °C outdoors – by improving ventilation, installing cooling systems, providing shade, offering additional breaks, shortening work periods or shifting tasks to cooler times of day. The regulations also require consultation with employees or their representatives before introducing organisational measures, and they introduce penalties for non‑compliance.

Since the regulations were announced, the State Labour Inspection (PIP) received 68 complaints (May 1 – July 6 2026) about excessive heat, lack of drinking water, insufficient breaks and inadequate ventilation in workplaces. Over half of the reports came via a special hotline, highlighting ongoing challenges in implementing the new standards.

The rules apply to all sectors, with particular impact on construction, manufacturing, logistics, transport and municipal services, and aim to protect workers as heat waves become more frequent and intense.