No matter how much they say that women are the weaker sex, gentle creatures, representatives of the fair sex work in almost every production. And it’s good when the conditions of their work comply with the legislative acts on labor protection adopted in the country. They clearly spelled out the standards and additional conditions in which women should work.
There are plenty of unfavorable factors in production: this is increased noise, and dust, and gas contamination, and the effect of harmful chemicals. How does the state ensure that the labor protection of women is fully respected? The law defines some restrictions on the use of labor of women, paying attention to the fact that women workers at work maintain their health: their own and future children.
The first condition that the employer must comply so that the labor protection of women is not violated is the restriction of work in workshops where harmful or hazardous factors act. This can be a welding workshop, a workshop for the production and processing of paints and varnishes, chemicals and other objects where the effect of harmful substances on the female body is most negatively manifested.
Another limitation that involves women's labor protection is lifting and moving weights. The Labor Code and the Federal Law "On the Basics of Labor Protection in the Russian Federation", as well as Government Decisions and SanPiNe clearly spell out the norms (in kilograms) that are permissible for carrying or raising by female persons.
It happens that the working conditions at the enterprise change or require the use of female labor when exposed to harmful factors. In such cases, the employer is obliged to clarify the state of health of the woman with the help of a special physical examination, as well as obtain consent for the performance of work from the employee herself. If a change in conditions due to a state of health is unacceptable, then the work performed or its volume should remain unchanged.
It is worth noting that labor protection in Russia provides special conditions for pregnant women and women with children. These are facilitated working conditions, and transfer to other workplaces at work, which can ensure the health of the expectant mother. The employer must remember that overtime or night work is prohibited for this category of women. Pregnant employees should not work in a draft, in conditions of high humidity, a sharp drop in temperature and other conditions that could adversely affect health. If possible, a flexible work schedule is established for pregnant women ; during the work shift, the expectant mother should be able to change the position of the body: do not constantly stand, walk or sit. The rate of production per shift for a pregnant woman should also be reduced. If it is not possible to provide the employee with the necessary conditions in accordance with the legislation protecting the labor of pregnant women, the employer must provide her with leave while maintaining the average earnings. This is stated in the Labor Code of the Russian Federation.
How can it be traced that the labor protection of women is respected at work, all the hygienic and sanitary norms of working conditions comply with the requirements of the law? Verification is carried out during the certification of workplaces on working conditions. The employer, when hiring a woman, must provide all the necessary standards for the performance of labor duties. This is the correct organization of a woman’s workplace , and a special rate of production, and the permissible number of hours of work in a certain period of time (shift, week, month). If labor protection requirements are not complied with or are not fully complied with, the administration of the enterprise may face administrative fines, and in case of malicious violations - criminal prosecution.