Harmful factors in the work environment and referral for examination
The employer is obliged to ensure safe and hygienic working conditions in the company. Also, before allowing the employee to work, he should refer him to preliminary, control or periodic preventive examinations. What if there are harmful factors in the work environment? In this case, how should the examination referral be filled out? You can learn more about it in the article below.
Special or harmful factors in the work environment
Working in special conditions is not the same as working in harmful (strenuous or dangerous) conditions.
Working in special conditions makes it possible to take advantage of an early retirement pension. The professions that are performed under special conditions are listed in the Act on bridging pensions. The allowance for work in harmful or special conditions is paid only if such a provision is included in the work or remuneration regulations. The employer is not obliged to pay the employee additional remuneration if there are harmful factors at his workplace.
On the other hand, the employer should strive to eliminate and reduce conditions that are harmful to the health and life of employees. In situations where, on the basis of the results of measurements and the assessment of occupational risk, it is found that it is high, i.e. unacceptable, it is necessary to introduce changes at the given position in order to reduce this risk below the level posing a threat to the health or life of the employee.
Harmful factors in the work environment and the obligations of the employer
Issues related to working in harmful conditions are mainly regulated by health and safety regulations. They define the obligations of the employer and the method of protecting employees against harmful factors (e.g. the use of protective clothing, ear muffs, glasses).
The employer is obliged to identify the factors harmful to health in the work environment and identify their sources, and then commission tests and measurements of these factors. In the workplace where employees are exposed to harmful factors, the employer must keep records of these factors. The employer is obliged to register and store the results of measurements and tests of factors harmful to health in the work environment, so that they can be made available to employees and control bodies.
The register of factors harmful to health occurring at the workplace should be kept for a period of 40 years from the date of the last entry. Start a free 30-day trial period with no strings attached!
Referral for preventive examination of an employee who is exposed to harmful, dangerous or nuisance factors in the work environment
A referral for a preventive examination should contain information on factors harmful to health or on burdensome conditions as well as current results of tests and measurements of factors harmful to health performed at these positions.
In the referral, the employer may list harmful factors in the work environment, which are divided into:
1. Physical:
- noise,
- mechanical vibrations (general, local),
- dusts
- metals in a dusty form, e.g. lead, iron,
- laser radiation,
- cold microclimate,
- hot microclimate.
2. Chemical:
- toxic substances,
- irritants,
- sensitizing substances,
- carcinogens.
3. Biological:
- bacteria,
- viruses
- mushrooms.
The referral may also include other factors, including dangerous and burdensome and other factors resulting from the way the work is performed. The employer may enter such factors as:
- support for screen monitors (up to 4 hours / over 4 hours a day),
- work at height (up to 3 m / over 3 m),
- night work.
The scope of the tests is determined by the doctor on the basis of a referral for tests issued by the employer.
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