Why the employer must provide water
Article III.1-63 of the Code on Well-being at Work requires the employer, depending on the nature of the work and the risks, to provide drinking water or another drink, with individual cups and easily accessible taps. If the action values for heat are exceeded, for example a WBGT index above 29 for light work, the employer provides free refreshing drinks, on the advice of the occupational physician.
Exceptions
This title of the code does not apply to means of transport outside the company, temporary or mobile construction sites, extractive industries, fishing vessels, and fields or woods outside built-up areas. Where there is a risk of contamination or with particularly dirty work, the employer provides drinking fountains or taps with disposable cups.
What is the risk?
A breach of the Well-being at Work Act and its implementing decrees, such as the code, is a level 3 offence under Article 127 of the Social Criminal Code: an administrative fine of € 1,000 to € 10,000. If it causes harm to health or an accident at work, the penalty is heavier.
What to do
Provide a drinking water point or drinks machine with individual cups in an easily accessible place. In heat above the action values, hand out free refreshing drinks, on the advice of the occupational physician.
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Sources
Every amount and deadline on this page was checked against these official sources, last consulted on .