On November 17, 2023, a regulation from the Minister of Family and Social Policy came into effect, amending the regulation concerning safety and hygiene at workstations equipped with display screens. 

Workstation equipment  

According to the new definition, a workstation is understood as: 

a) basic equipment, including a display screen, keyboard, mouse, or other input devices, and user interface software, 

b) chair and table, 

c) optional additional equipment, such as a disk station, printer, scanner, document holder, footrest.

It is important to notice that if portable systems are used that are designed to be used at a particular workstation for at least half of the daily working time, the workstation should be equipped with a fixed display unit or a stand that allows the display unit to be positioned at the worker’s eye level.  

After 17th November, every company has to verify the equipment of existing office workstations. There also should be a regulation concerning occupational health and safety – newly created workstations should be adapted to them.  

It is applied to remote workstations as well. The only difference is that the employer is not obliged to provide an employee with a stationary display screen at the place of remote work. The employer must inform the employee about the new requirements for the workstation and receive a statement from the employee that the remote workplace meets OSH requirements.  

According to the Labor Code, the employer must provide employees with the materials and tools necessary for remote work, including technical devices. The parties may establish rules for the employee’s use of materials and tools for remote work, including technical devices not provided by the employer. In such a case, the employee performing remote work is entitled to a cash equivalent determined with the employer. 

Glasses or contact lenses 

Another change in the regulations is the employer’s obligation to provide the employee with glasses or, contact lenses.  

It was established that the employer is obliged to provide the employee with corrective glasses or contact lenses in accordance with the doctor’s recommendation, if the results of medical examinations conducted as part of preventive health care show the need for their use during work with a display screen. 

There is still not enough information—employers have doubts about the wording of said provision. It is not known how the decision whether the employee is entitled to glasses or contact lenses will be made in practice. 

Text based on: https://www.prawo.pl/kadry/zmiany-w-przepisach-o-bhp-pracy-na-komputerze-od-17-listopada-2023-r,523949.html