The lawyer explained the duties of employers in conditions of abnormal heat

During the summer heat, many workers face the problem of observing the temperature regime at their workplaces. Denis Tsyplakov, Chairman of the VM-Pravo Bar Association, explained in detail to Izvestia on June 3 the legal aspects of organizing work in extremely hot conditions.

"According to current sanitary standards (SanPiN 1.2.3685-21), employers are required to reduce the length of the working day when temperature limits are exceeded, while maintaining full salaries for employees," he said.

However, as the expert noted, there are exceptions to this rule. Emergency services, including medics and rescuers, can continue to operate as usual, provided additional protective measures are provided. Manufacturing enterprises with climate control systems are also exempt from reducing working hours if they maintain an acceptable temperature regime.

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The lawyer stressed that employers have several options for complying with the requirements of the law. They can equip workplaces with air conditioners, change work schedules, arrange additional breaks in cooled rooms, or provide special protective equipment. However, if alternative measures do not ensure safe working conditions, shortening the working day becomes mandatory.

Tsyplakov paid special attention to the differences in requirements for different categories of employees. So, in office premises with working air conditioners that maintain temperatures no higher than +28 degrees, shortening the working day is not required. At the same time, stricter standards apply to employees working outdoors (builders, couriers, road workers) — when they reach +32.5 degrees, their working hours must necessarily be shortened.

The expert warned that violation of the working temperature regime threatens employers with serious sanctions, including fines of up to 200 thousand rubles under Article 5.27.1 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation, inspections by regulatory authorities and lawsuits from employees. At the same time, regional authorities have the right to tighten the requirements depending on the climatic characteristics of the territory — for example, in the southern regions the standards are usually stricter than in the northern ones.

"Shortening the working day in the heat is not just a recommendation, but an employer's responsibility if the working conditions are dangerous to health. Employees have the right to demand compliance, and companies have the right to seek reasonable compromises between productivity and safety," the lawyer concluded.

Earlier, on June 2, Yulia Kuvyrtalova, manager of the CHINT HR department in Russia, told Izvestia how salaries are calculated during the holiday period. So, with a fixed salary, an employee's salary does not decrease if he has worked all the working days of the month. According to the Labor Code of the Russian Federation, even if the working days are shorter due to holidays, the salary is paid in full.