Your rights on site: hours, safety, protective equipment

Working time and rest

Working time is governed by the Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet, ATW). General limits (a collective agreement or contract may refine them within the law):

• Shift: at most 12 hours. Week: at most 60 hours, and on average at most 48 hours a week over 16 weeks.
• Daily rest: at least 11 consecutive hours in every 24 hours (the law allows only limited exceptions).
• Weekly rest: at least 36 consecutive hours per 7 days, or 72 hours per 14 days.
• Break: if you work more than 5.5 hours you are entitled to at least 30 minutes (it may be split into two of 15 minutes).
• Overtime or evening premiums are not set by the general law: they come from the collective agreement (CAO) or your contract. Check what yours says.
• Keep a record of your hours: date, start, end, break. It is your evidence if a pay dispute arises.

Pay for hours

Every hour worked must be paid at no less than the statutory minimum hourly wage (Wet minimumloon), and a payslip (loonstrook) is mandatory. How to read a payslip

Safety: what the employer must do

The main law is the Working Conditions Act (Arbowet, with the Arbobesluit). The employer is responsible for safe and healthy work.

• Assess the risks of the work and draw up a plan of measures (RI&E), then carry it out.
• Inform and instruct you about the risks and rules (voorlichting en onderricht) before you start and when conditions change. If you do not understand the instruction, tell the foreman.
• Provide safe tools, equipment and work organisation, including for work at height or on electrical installations.
• Report a serious accident (death, permanent injury or hospital admission) to the Labour Authority (Arbeidsinspectie).
• Bear the cost of safety measures: they must not fall on the employee.

Personal protective equipment (PBM)

When a risk cannot be removed by other means, the employer supplies protective equipment: hard hat, safety boots, glasses, hearing protection, gloves, high-visibility vest (depending on the work).

• The equipment is free of charge: you do not buy it yourself or pay for it from your wages.
• It must fit you and be in good condition; worn items are replaced.
• If nothing was issued and the work has to start, stop and tell the foreman. Do not begin dangerous work without protection.

What is expected of you

• Use the protective equipment and tools you are given the way you were trained.
• Do not remove guards and follow the signs and rules of the site.
• Tell the foreman about dangers and accidents, even if no one was hurt.

If something is wrong

Tell the foreman or the coordinator first, preferably in writing and with a date. In immediate danger: stop work, move to a safe place and call 112 if needed.

• Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie: supervises safety, working time and minimum wage; you can report anonymously.
• FNV: a trade union, help in a dispute with your employer.
• Juridisch Loket: free first legal advice.
• The Razom Werkt coordinator speaks Ukrainian and Russian and helps you find the right body.

Is this legal? Typical situations at work

Frequently asked questions

Sources

• Arbeidstijdenwet (wetten.overheid.nl)
• Arbowet (wetten.overheid.nl)
• Arbobesluit (wetten.overheid.nl)
• Wet minimumloon en minimumvakantiebijslag (wetten.overheid.nl)
• Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie
• Rijksoverheid: Arbeidsomstandigheden
• Rijksoverheid: Minimumloon

This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the sources above.

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