Rights and responsibilities

Your responsibilities as a student

• Attend the required training and instruction before practical classes.
• Follow the laboratory or workshop rules and the instructor's safety directions.
• Use the required safety glasses, clothing or other protective equipment. Use them as intended.
• Keep things tidy. Do not leave cables, bags or tools in passageways.
• Report damaged equipment, unsafe conditions and accidents. Warn people who may be exposed.

What you can expect from the university

The university provides safe learning conditions: equipment in good working order, accessible instructions, the necessary protective equipment and supervision of classes. Before you work with a device, the instructor gives you practical instruction in its safe use. Classes in laboratories, teaching rooms and workshops, and physical education classes, are led by people trained in first aid.

When an immediate danger arises

If a threat to health or life arises during a class, the class must be stopped immediately and, if necessary, the hazardous area must be vacated. Notify the instructor. Do not continue an exercise with damaged equipment or return to a dangerous area without confirmation that the hazard has been removed.

Training and confirmation of completion

The Polish regulation on safety at universities requires students and doctoral students beginning their education to undergo mandatory training lasting no less than 4 hours. The university records completion of the training in the student's academic records. The organiser specifies the detailed schedule and completion requirements.

Scenario: a damaged cable

Before switching on equipment, you notice cracked cable insulation. Do not plug in the device, touch exposed parts or repair it yourself. Notify the instructor and warn anyone who might use it.

Who organises safety

The Rector is responsible for organising safe working and learning conditions. The instructor organises classes so that they proceed safely, explains hazards and responds to danger. Students follow the rules and report problems. The occupational health and safety service provides advice and checks conditions; its presence does not relieve those organising work of responsibility. When several companies work at the same location, cooperation and agreed safety rules are needed.

General training and workstation instruction

The general course explains shared rules. Workstation instruction covers a specific location, device and activity: preparation, safe working, malfunctions and completion of the task. A change of equipment or process may require renewed instruction. Simply reading a webpage does not authorise you to operate every machine or perform medical procedures.

Supplement for employees: the employment relationship

An employee performs the agreed work under the employer's direction, at a designated place and time, in return for pay. Student status or undertaking a placement does not automatically create an employment relationship. Employees' rights include safe conditions, equal treatment, rest and pay. Developing qualifications, awards and distinctions are separate matters; they do not replace mandatory safeguards.

Supplement for employees: data and duties

The employer obtains the data needed for recruitment and employment within the scope provided for by law. Do not collect or disclose another person's health data without authorisation. Employees should perform their work diligently, follow lawful instructions, protect property and information, and observe workplace rules. Assigning different work is subject to conditions laid down by law; it does not authorise a task without the necessary qualifications, medical examinations or instruction.

Supplement for employees: consultation and danger

The employer consults employees or their representatives on occupational health and safety measures, including risk assessment, training and the selection of protection. When working conditions pose an immediate danger and the conditions laid down in the Polish Labour Code are met, an employee may refrain from working, notifying their supervisor, and, if this does not remove the danger, leave the dangerous area. Separate rules apply to insufficient physical and mental fitness for certain types of work. Article 210 governs the details, exceptions and effects on pay; do not automatically apply them to student classes.

Supplement for employees: liability

Breaching duties may result in disciplinary, financial, minor-offence or criminal liability, depending on the act and circumstances. Disciplinary penalties include a warning, a reprimand and, in cases specified by statute, a financial penalty. A procedure for hearing the employee, giving notice and lodging an objection applies. Financial liability requires an assessment of fault, damage and the causal link; separate rules apply to entrusted property. A non-compete obligation requires an appropriate agreement and does not mean a general ban on taking any additional work.

Supplement for those directing work

The person directing work organises workstations and tasks safely, enforces rules, ensures protective measures are available and medical recommendations are implemented. The employer provides risk assessment, tests and measurements, training, facilities in good working order, sanitary facilities, first aid supplies and people designated for emergency response. The cost of protecting an employee should not be passed on to them. A signature acknowledging instructions must not replace the removal of a hazard.

Supplement for employees: medical examinations and prevention

• Pre-employment medical examinations take place before admission to work in the cases specified by law. Periodic examinations take place according to the date set by the doctor.
• Follow-up medical examinations are required after incapacity for work due to an illness lasting longer than 30 days. The referral describes the job and exposures; the employer pays for preventive medical examinations.
• A suspected occupational disease requires medical assessment and the appropriate procedure. Not every ailment occurring at work is an occupational disease: the list of diseases and the link to exposure matter.
• Exposure measurements, ventilation, hearing protection, medical examinations and work organisation form a combined prevention system. Preventive meals and drinks are provided under conditions specified by law, rather than automatically to every employee.

Supplement: special protection and work at a monitor

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, young age and certain health limitations may require exclusion from some work, changes to conditions or a different workstation. These are assessed by the organiser and the appropriate specialist, not the practical class group. An employee covered by the monitor regulations is provided with a change in the type of work or a break of at least five minutes, counted as working time, after each hour of work at a monitor, and corrective glasses or contact lenses when recommended by a doctor during a preventive medical examination. These are employee provisions, separate from general ergonomic guidance for students.

Protective equipment and access to documents

Before classes begin, the instructor identifies the required protective equipment and how to obtain it. Obtain the correct size, check its condition and learn its limitations. Ask how to access the current instructions and risk assessment. Do not assume that an old intranet address or room number is still valid. Clarify any doubts with the instructor or occupational health and safety unit before entering the workstation.

How the university organises safe learning

• The rector is responsible for organising safe and hygienic working and learning conditions. The university identifies hazards, assesses and documents risks, and takes preventive action. It also analyses accidents to reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
• The university also cooperates with student and doctoral student representatives on safety matters. Report problems to your instructor or the responsible unit; you can also raise concerns about the organisation of classes with your representatives.
• Use rooms and equipment in accordance with university rules. Do not enter marked restricted areas without authorisation. Sports, cultural and entertainment events must also follow the established safety arrangements.
• Before classes, learn the instructions, evacuation plan and procedure for reporting faults and hazards. Locate the first aid kit and first aid instructions. Ask your instructor if information is missing. Check current university information for reporting channels and procedures for recording hazards; call 112 in an emergency.

Accessibility and individual needs during classes

• Safe learning spaces should account for ergonomics and the needs of people with disabilities. Barriers may include an inaccessible entrance, a narrow passage, unclear instructions or a workstation that cannot be used safely.
• Tell your instructor or the appropriate university unit about any adjustments you need before starting an activity you cannot perform safely. Agree on an available solution and how to obtain help. Do not improvise when overcoming barriers or use equipment without preparation.
• If you may need assistance during an evacuation, agree on arrangements in advance that follow the building evacuation plan. Do not assume an ordinary lift can be used for evacuation. Share health information with the appropriate person, not the whole group; focus on the assistance you need to participate safely.

Medical examinations for students: when they are required

• Being a student does not mean that every examination required of employees applies to you. Examinations connected with education concern, among other situations, exposure to harmful, onerous or hazardous factors during practical training. Check the university requirements for your classes and placements before they begin.
• The examination is based on a referral issued by the educational institution. The referral describes the training and relevant exposure. Ask the responsible unit how to obtain a referral and where to submit the medical certificate.
• The doctor assesses health contraindications and sets the date of the next examination. Follow the recommendations and keep the documents required for your classes valid. If contraindications arise or exposure conditions change, clarify whether you can participate before starting the activity.
• Do not automatically apply the employee rule on follow-up examinations after illness lasting more than 30 days to every student. If you are also an employee, employment requirements apply separately. Confirm any specific placement or sanitary examination requirements with the organiser.

Check your knowledge

Work through these short scenarios. Check each answer separately.