- OHS training duration
- periodic OHS training
- OHS training
- szkolenia BHP
"How long will it take?" - that is one of the first questions an OHS officer hears when a company plans training for its team. The answer does not come down to a single number: the Polish regulation on training in the field of occupational health and safety sets separate minimum durations for general instruction, job-specific instruction and periodic training for each job group. And since fines for training gaps rose to PLN 60,000 (from 8 July 2026), vague assurances that "OHS training is an hour, maybe two" have become a mistake that can prove costly.
How long does initial OHS training take?
Initial training is generally required before admission to work for new employees, student interns and vocational pupils (§§ 10–11). Article 237³ § 2 of the Labour Code exempts an employee continuing immediately in the same position with the same employer under the next employment contract. It consists of two parts, and for each of them the framework curriculum (Annex 1) sets a minimum number of lesson hours:
| Part of initial training | Minimum duration |
|---|---|
| General instruction | 3 lesson hours |
| Job-specific instruction - manual work stations and other stations exposed to harmful, nuisance or hazardous factors | 8 lesson hours |
| Job-specific instruction - administrative and office workers exposed to nuisance factors | 2 lesson hours |
The conversion is fixed, because one lesson hour lasts 45 minutes. General instruction therefore takes at least 2 hours 15 minutes of clock time, and complete initial training at a manual work station means a minimum of 11 lesson hours - 8 hours 15 minutes of clock time. These are minima: the detailed programme drawn up by the employer or the training organiser may provide for more, and the duration of job-specific instruction should additionally be adjusted to the employee's vocational preparation, length of service and the hazards present at the work station (§ 11 ust. 4). The same values are confirmed by the Polish labour inspectorate (PIP) in its legal advice on OHS training.
How long does periodic OHS training take?
For periodic training, the minimum duration depends on the job group - the framework programmes (parts IV–VIII of Annex 1) prescribe the following minima:
| Job group | Permitted forms | Minimum duration |
|---|---|---|
| Employers and other persons supervising employees | course, seminar or guided self-study | 16 lesson hours |
| Manual workers | instruction | 8 lesson hours |
| Engineering and technical staff | course, seminar or guided self-study | 16 lesson hours |
| OHS service employees and persons performing OHS service duties | course, seminar or guided self-study | 32 lesson hours |
| Administrative and office workers | seminar, course or guided self-study | 8 lesson hours |
Converted to clock time, a single periodic training session for employers, supervisors and engineering and technical staff therefore has a minimum of 12 clock hours of teaching, for manual workers 6 clock hours, and for the in-house OHS service at least 24 clock hours of teaching. The form is not a free choice: for manual workers the regulations require instruction with the prescribed practical elements, not guided self-study, while for the remaining groups a course, a seminar or guided self-study is allowed - the colloquial "e-learning", which we discuss in our article on online OHS training. The employer sets the frequency and duration of periodic training after consulting employees (§ 15 ust. 3), but cannot go below the framework minima.
How often must OHS training be repeated?
The duration of a single training session is half of the answer - the other half is the cycle. The regulation ties the frequency to the job group (§ 15): manual workers repeat periodic training no less often than every 3 years, and every year at work stations involving particularly hazardous work; employers, supervising persons, engineering and technical staff, the in-house OHS service and persons exposed to harmful factors - every 5 years; office workers - every 6 years. The first periodic training must be organised sooner: for employers and supervising persons within 6 months of starting work, for the remaining groups within 12 months. The full schedule of deadlines, including exemptions from periodic training, is described in our article Periodic OHS training: how often? Deadlines for every job group, and our OHS training offer covers current dates for specific groups. The 6-year cycle applies to office employees who are required to complete training; some are exempt under art. 237³ § 2² of the Labour Code. Regular remote work excludes this exemption (art. 67³¹ § 3); occasional remote work has separate rules (art. 67³³ § 2).
When can training be shortened or skipped?
Periodic training is not required for an administrative or office employee if the employer's predominant activity belongs to an activity group with a risk category no higher than 3, unless the occupational risk assessment makes training necessary. It does not apply to regular remote work; the exclusion itself does not apply to occasional remote work under art. 67³³.
A person may be exempt from the first periodic training referred to in § 15(4) if they present a valid certificate of completing the required training with another employer within the same period, or completed periodic training for another job group in that period, provided the programme covers the scope required at the new work station (§ 15 ust. 5). In turn, § 17 recognises as equivalent to periodic training the completion, within the given period, of vocational further training or skills improvement, if it covers the periodic training programme appropriate for the work station. The employer should verify and document that the statutory conditions for exemption or equivalence are met.
How to document training durations - a checklist for employers
During a labour inspection, PIP verifies not only whether the training took place, but also whether it had the correct form and duration. Three things are worth keeping in check:
- Check that the training programme for each job group, drawn up on the basis of the framework curriculum in Annex 1, specifies the subject matter, the form of delivery and the duration (§ 7).
- Document initial training under § 12: confirmations may be in paper or electronic form; electronic confirmation requires an annotation on the card and an attached document or reproduction. Keep the card and attachments in the personnel file. Completion of periodic training is confirmed by a certificate issued after passing the examination before a commission, with a copy in the personnel file (§ 16).
- For an inspection, prepare the programmes, class registers and certificates - PIP's legal advice confirms that the training form, the exam and the documentation are all subject to verification.
If the duration of training is questioned, provide the programme specifying the hours and records of its delivery, alongside the card or certificate confirming completion.
Key takeaways
- Initial OHS training is a minimum of 3 lesson hours of general instruction plus 8 lesson hours of job-specific instruction (manual and other exposed work stations) or 2 lesson hours (office work stations exposed to nuisance factors).
- Periodic OHS training takes a minimum of 8 lesson hours for manual and office workers, 16 for employers, supervising persons and engineering and technical staff, and 32 for the in-house OHS service; one lesson hour is always 45 minutes.
- Online delivery does not reduce the minimum hours. Exemptions from periodic training and recognition of other education as equivalent require the conditions set out in the Labour Code or in § 15(5) and § 17 of the regulation.
Need to organise OHS training for your company?
If you do not have time to track the minima and deadlines, an external OHS service can help calculate dates, select permitted formats and handle documentation. The employer remains responsible for ensuring the required training is completed. Check our OHS training offer or contact us - we will advise how long training in your company will take and when it needs to be repeated.
FAQ - frequently asked questions about OHS training duration
How long does initial OHS training take? A minimum of 3 lesson hours (2 hours 15 minutes of clock time) of general instruction plus job-specific instruction: 8 lesson hours (6 clock hours) at manual work stations and stations exposed to harmful factors, or 2 lesson hours for office workers exposed to nuisance factors. In total at least 11 lesson hours, or 8 hours 15 minutes of clock time, at a manual work station (§ 8 and Annex 1 of the regulation).
How long does periodic OHS training take? It depends on the job group: 8 lesson hours for manual workers and administrative and office workers, 16 lesson hours for employers, persons supervising employees and engineering and technical staff, 32 lesson hours for the in-house OHS service (parts IV-VIII of Annex 1). In clock time that is 6, 12 and 24 hours respectively.
How long does online OHS training take? The online form (guided self-study) does not reduce the minimum number of hours - the same minimum applies as in the classroom form. Moreover, guided self-study is permitted as a form of periodic training for the groups listed in § 15(2), not manual workers and requires consultations with persons meeting the requirements for lecturers, as well as an exam before the commission (§ 1a pkt 5, § 15 ust. 2, § 16).
Is a lesson hour the same as a clock hour? No. In the framework training curricula all durations are given in lesson hours lasting 45 minutes (Annex 1 to the regulation). To convert to clock time, multiply the number of lesson hours by 0.75 - e.g. 16 lesson hours is 12 clock hours.
How often must OHS training be repeated? Manual workers: no less often than every 3 years, and every year for particularly hazardous work. Employers, supervising persons, engineering and technical staff, the in-house OHS service and persons exposed to harmful factors: every 5 years. Office workers: every 6 years (§ 15). The first periodic training: within 6 months (employers and supervising persons) or 12 months (remaining groups) of starting work. The 6-year cycle applies to office employees who are required to complete training; some are exempt under art. 237³ § 2² of the Labour Code. Regular remote work excludes this exemption (art. 67³¹ § 3); occasional remote work has separate rules (art. 67³³ § 2).
How long is OHS training for interns and students? Students on internships and pupils in practical vocational training complete general instruction before starting work (§ 10(1)) and job-specific instruction before being admitted to work at a particular station (§ 11(1)(3)). Training duration follows the applicable framework programme and the conditions at the station.
Sources
- Regulation of the Minister of Economy and Labour of 27 July 2004 on training in the field of occupational health and safety - consolidated text (Journal of Laws 2024 item 1327)
- Labour Code - consolidated text (Journal of Laws 2026 item 1245)
- Amendment to the OHS training regulation (Journal of Laws 2025 item 1640)
- Act of 11 March 2026 amending the Act on the State Labour Inspectorate and certain other acts (Journal of Laws 2026 item 473)
- Polish labour inspectorate (PIP) - legal advice: OHS training
Legal status checked: 15 October 2026. This article is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. For individual cases, consult a lawyer or an OHS specialist.