🦺 Can I refuse dangerous work?

Yes

Quick answer

You can — and it is not insubordination. This is the myth that keeps people in dangerous work: "if I refuse, they will sack me." The law protects you. Work may be refused on at least four grounds: where it creates a risk to your or another's safety and health that cannot be eliminated otherwise; where safety devices are missing or personal protective equipment has not been provided; where the equipment does not match your training and instruction; or where the employer has not complied with inspectorate warnings and orders. One condition: you must report it immediately to your supervisor or employer. Adverse consequences may then not be imposed.

📋 The rules

You may refuse where the risk cannot be removed otherwise
Where protective equipment or safety devices are missing
Where equipment does not match your training
Where inspectorate orders were not complied with
You must report it immediately

🔓 Exceptions

This is not a right to refuse any unpleasant task — a statutory safety ground must exist
In serious and direct danger you may stop work and leave the endangered place
The right to resign with six months' earnings is narrow and fact-specific

⚠️ Penalties & fines

The penalty falls on the employer, not on you. Where missing protective equipment creates a direct threat, a natural person faces €350–700 and a legal entity €1,400–2,900. The same applies to unsuitable equipment creating a direct threat. There is no penalty for a lawful refusal — adverse consequences may be imposed only where you acted with gross negligence or malicious intent. And there is one more, little-known remedy. If you reported the hazard, the employer failed to implement the inspectorate-directed measures against a direct threat, and you consequently resigned, you are entitled to at least six months' average earnings. Complaints go to the labour inspectorate.

📎 Official sources

Last verified: 2026-07-12

❓ Frequently asked

Is refusing not insubordination?

Not where one of the statutory safety grounds exists and you report it immediately. The employer may not impose adverse consequences merely because you exercised that right lawfully.

When may I refuse?

Where the work creates a safety or health risk that cannot otherwise be removed; where protective equipment or safety devices are missing; where equipment exceeds your training; or where inspectorate orders were ignored.

Can I simply leave the workplace?

In serious and direct danger, the employer must enable you to stop work and leave the endangered place, and may not require work to resume before protective measures are taken.

What penalty does the employer face?

Where missing personal protective equipment creates a direct threat, €350–700 for a natural person and €1,400–2,900 for a legal entity. The same applies to unsuitable equipment.

Can I resign with compensation?

In a narrow case, yes. If you reported the hazard, the employer failed to implement the inspectorate-directed measures against a direct threat, and you therefore resigned, you get at least six months' average earnings.

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