15.02.2021
MEASURES FOR OPERATION AT LOW TEMPERATURES
Employers should take special measures to protect the lives and health of workers, and winter temperatures impose additional requirements on employers. They are specified in the Ordinance on the minimum requirements for the microclimate of workplaces.
Organizational and/or technical measures may be taken to minimize the risk to the health and life of workers. For example, changing working hours in order to avoid working in the coldest hours of the day or introducing more frequent breaks. Other measures may include changing the type of work by assigning one that is safer under certain conditions, providing appropriate work clothing and personal protective equipment or collective protection equipment (in this case those that protect against hypothermia and frostbite). Premises with conditions for restoring the body's heat balance, hot drinks, etc. can also be provided.
It is obligatory to have surveillance or means of communication with the workers in the open at isolated workplaces, as well as first aid and conditions for appropriate transportation in case of sudden deterioration of health to a medical institution.
The Ordinance on the minimum requirements for the microclimate also describes the optimal and permissible minimum and maximum values of air temperature in the cold and warm period of the year for light, medium and heavy physical work indoors. At low temperatures, the optimal values vary between 16 and 23 degrees, and the allowable - from 13 to 25 degrees, and lower temperatures are allowed, respectively, during heavy physical work.
Outdoor work must be stopped in dangerously low or high temperatures, thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, strong winds and thick fog, defined by the code "orange" or "red" by the National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, if they pose a threat to life and the health of workers and the safe performance of work.
Exceptionally, the work is not suspended when it comes to work in connection with the country's defense. Work related to the prevention of disasters and accidents and to control and overcome the consequences thereof are not suspended. Also for carrying out urgent socially necessary works on restoration of water supply, electricity supply, heating, sewerage, transport and communication and rendering medical assistance.
If they do not comply with these requirements, the inspectors from the General Labor Inspectorate may carry out an inspection and impose a fine in the amount of BGN 1,500 to 15,000. In case of repeated violation, the sanction jumps from BGN 20,000 to 30,000.
Reference:
Ordinance № RD-07-3 of 18.07.2014 on the minimum requirements for the microclimate of workplaces.
