From this article, you will learn about the legal requirements concerning workwear, what to pay attention to in order to avoid mistakes, and how to ensure safety in your company.

What Are Workwear and Protective Clothing?

Workwear is a fairly broad concept. It includes clothing that protects employees from dirt and difficult weather conditions or is required for hygiene reasons and does not have to provide protective functions, such as kitchen aprons and work coveralls for warehouse staff.

Protective clothing is specialist clothing that protects against hazards associated with the work being performed, such as high temperatures, chemicals, radiation or the risk of cuts. It must meet specific standards and comply with OHS regulations.

Employer Responsibilities Regarding Workwear Under OHS Regulations

Under the Labour Code and OHS regulations, the employer is required to:

provide workwear and protective clothing when:

  • an employee’s clothing may become contaminated with harmful substances, such as paints or oils;
  • there are risks to employees’ health and lives, such as in the chemical or construction industries;
  • sanitary or technological considerations require it, such as in catering or medicine;
  • maintain clothing cleanliness – the employer is responsible for washing, cleaning and maintaining workwear unless the employee agrees to do so, in which case the employee receives financial compensation;
  • replace damaged clothing – if workwear has been damaged or no longer meets safety standards, it must be replaced immediately;
  • ensure compliance with standards – protective clothing must comply with applicable standards, such as EN ISO 20471 (high-visibility clothing) and EN ISO 11611/11612 (protection during welding or work at high temperatures), among others.

What Penalties Are Imposed for Lack of Appropriate Workwear?

Failure to comply with OHS regulations concerning workwear may result in substantial fines during an inspection by the National Labour Inspectorate—from PLN 1,000 to as much as PLN 30,000 in cases of serious violations. However, employers must also remember that they may face further legal consequences: in the event of an accident, an employee may seek compensation for neglecting their responsibilities. Companies sometimes lose their good reputation among both employees and customers because of negligence regarding OHS regulations.

How Can Workwear Compliance with Regulations Be Ensured?

This is not an easy task. It is worth starting by identifying the hazards at a particular workstation and matching protective clothing to their type. For example, construction work requires high-visibility vests and helmets, while the chemical industry requires coveralls resistant to corrosive substances. OHS regulations are very detailed and complex, however, so it is always worth consulting a specialist from a reputable workwear shop, such as Optimum BHP.

You should certainly choose trousers, fleece jackets and work boots with appropriate markings complying with European standards, such as CE and EN ISO, ensuring the products’ high quality and reliability. It is worth taking care of proper clothing cleaning and maintenance, as well as training employees in its correct use and storage.

Common Mistakes Made by Employers

Do not cut costs on workwear! Cheap products usually wear out faster and need to be replaced more often, which leads to higher company costs. Remember that clothing must be suited to the employee’s build: clothing that is too tight will restrict movement, while clothing that is too loose may dangerously catch on machinery. Work trousers and sweatshirts with additional pockets and compartments—for a phone, keys, tools and so on—usually perform better than the simplest-cut models, so ask your employees about this aspect. Even cheaper, used workwear is a better choice than having an employee perform their duties without proper protection.