Periodic OHS training: how often? Deadlines for every job group
Periodic occupational health and safety (OHS) training in Poland is repeated every 3 years for manual workers, every 5 years for employers and anyone supervising employees, and every 6 years for administrative and office staff. Where particularly high risks to workers’ safety or health occur at manual-work stations, periodic OHS training must take place no less frequently than once a year. These deadlines follow directly from the Polish regulation on OHS training and cannot be extended. Interestingly, some office workers may be exempt from periodic training altogether - we explain when below.
Periodic OHS training intervals at a glance
| Job group | How often | Training format |
|---|---|---|
| Manual workers | every 3 years | on-the-job instruction |
| Manual workers - particularly hazardous work | every year | on-the-job instruction |
| Employers and supervisors (managers, foremen, crew leaders) | every 5 years | course, seminar or guided self-study |
| Engineering and technical staff | every 5 years | course, seminar or guided self-study |
| OHS service and staff performing its duties | every 5 years | course, seminar or guided self-study |
| Administrative and office staff | every 6 years | course, seminar or guided self-study |
| Other workers exposed to harmful, arduous or hazardous factors | every 5 years | course, seminar or guided self-study |
It is the employer who sets the frequency and duration of training for specific work stations, in consultation with employees or their representatives - more often than the deadlines above is allowed, never less often.
Important exception: office workers may be exempt from periodic training
The Polish Labour Code provides a situation in which periodic OHS training is not required at all: it applies to an employee at an administrative or office work station when the employer’s predominant activity falls - under the provisions on public statistics and the PKD classification - into a group with a risk category not higher than three (within the meaning of the provisions on social insurance in respect of work accidents).
Three caveats that employers often overlook:
- The risk assessment decides. Even with a third-category risk, training becomes mandatory if the occupational risk assessment shows it is necessary.
- A higher risk category creates an obligation. If the employer’s activity moves into a group with a risk category higher than three, periodic training must be carried out within no more than 6 months of the day the higher category was established.
- A change in the risk assessment, too. Likewise - 6 months from the day a risk assessment is completed that shows the training is necessary.
In practice: before a company drops periodic training for its office staff, it should verify the risk category and make sure the occupational risk assessment for every work station is up to date. Allowing an employee to work without the required training is an offence punishable by a fine - for the new fine levels see our article New OHS fines 2026 - up to PLN 60,000 from 8 July.
OHS training during working hours and at the employer’s expense
Both initial and periodic OHS training take place during working hours and at the employer’s expense. An employee cannot be sent to periodic training “after hours” or be made to pay for it out of their own pocket - this is a statutory duty of the employer.
Course, seminar or e-learning? Formats of periodic training
For most groups (employers, supervisors, engineering and technical staff, the OHS service, office employees) the regulations allow three training formats: a course, a seminar or guided self-study. The last of these is the basis of e-learning training - participants study the training material at a time and pace convenient for them, and the employer receives a certificate after a passed exam.
The exception remains workers at manual work stations - their periodic training takes the form of on-the-job instruction led by a qualified person, with emphasis on hands-on practice and the hazards of the specific work.
FAQ - the most common questions about periodic OHS training intervals
How often is periodic OHS training required for manual workers? No less frequently than every 3 years, in the form of on-the-job instruction. At work stations involving particularly hazardous work - no less frequently than once a year.
How often is periodic OHS training required for office workers? No less frequently than every 6 years. When the employer’s risk category is not higher than three, the employee may be exempt from periodic training altogether, unless the risk assessment indicates otherwise.
How often must an employer complete periodic OHS training? No less frequently than every 5 years - the same rule applies to anyone supervising employees (managers, foremen, crew leaders).
Who pays for periodic OHS training? The employer - the training takes place during working hours and at their expense. Any departure from this rule is contrary to the Polish Labour Code.
What happens if periodic training is not up to date? Allowing an employee to work without the required training is an offence punishable by a fine of up to PLN 60,000 (art. 283 of the Labour Code). Details in our article on the new PIP fines.
Key takeaways
- Periodic OHS training repeats every 3 years (manual work), 5 years (management, engineering, OHS staff) and 6 years (office roles) - counted from the previous training.
- Office workers may use e-learning; manual positions require on-site instruction.
- Training takes place during working hours and at the employer’s expense - letting it lapse risks fines of up to PLN 60,000.
Want to organise periodic OHS training?
Lenax provides periodic OHS training for all job groups - on site, as webinars and in convenient e-learning form. We also handle the full training documentation. Check our OHS training offer or contact us - we will help you schedule training that fits your company.
Sources
- Regulation of the Minister of Economy and Labour on health and safety training - consolidated text (Journal of Laws 2024 item 1327) - ELI
- Labour Code - consolidated text (ELI)
Legal status: September 2026. This article is for information only and does not constitute legal advice. For individual cases consult a lawyer or an OHS specialist.
