Operating rules: who must have them and how to prepare them
Operating rules (prevádzkový poriadok) are a set of measures to protect the health of employees and public health in a facility where a health risk exists. They are required, for example, for hairdressers and beauty salons, accommodation and sports facilities, schools, healthcare facilities and companies that work with hazardous chemical or biological factors. We prepare them to measure from €299 excl. VAT.
What operating rules are
Act No. 355/2007 Coll. on the protection, promotion and development of public health defines operating rules as a set of measures to protect the health of employees and public health in a facility where a risk exists. In practice they describe how the business works: what activities take place, which substances are used, how cleaning and disinfection are done, how waste is handled and how employees and customers are protected.
Operating rules are always tailored to a specific business. The public health authority compares them with reality both when approving them and during inspections.
Who must have operating rules
Depending on the type of business, operating rules are either approved, only submitted to the authority, or drawn up by the employer and kept available at the workplace.
Approval by decision
- nursery schools, schools and other facilities for children and young people
- artificial and natural swimming facilities
- healthcare facilities
- social services facilities
Prepare and submit
- hairdresser, barber, beautician, manicure, pedicure
- solarium, massage salon, sauna, tattoo studio
- accommodation establishments
- sports facilities
Work with risk factors
- noise in category 2 to 4 work
- hazardous chemical factors, for example in a car service or paint shop
- carcinogenic and mutagenic factors
- biological factors
- electromagnetic fields, lasers and artificial optical radiation
No operating rules
- offices
- non-food shops (except chemical substances)
- restaurants and canteens that follow a HACCP system
Operating rules for workplaces with risk factors
The employer must draw up operating rules to protect the health of employees performing category 2, 3 or 4 work where required by law or a special regulation. This applies in particular to work with noise, hazardous chemical factors, carcinogenic and mutagenic factors, biological factors, electromagnetic fields and artificial optical radiation. The work category is determined by the health risk assessment, which is part of the occupational health service.
For example, for work with hazardous chemical factors, the operating rules contain:
- the health risk assessment,
- details of the location of the facility or workplace,
- safe working and technological procedures including maintenance, handling, storage, transport and waste disposal,
- protective and preventive measures,
- an emergency plan,
- first aid instructions and equipment,
- the method and frequency of employee training.
From 15 July 2026, Act No. 165/2026 Coll. abolished the separate obligation to have operating rules for physical load, asbestos and work in heat and cold. However, the risk continues to be evaluated in the health risk assessment.
How to prepare operating rules
- We assess whether you need them. Based on the type of business and activities, we determine whether and under which regulation you must have operating rules and whether they are approved or only submitted.
- We collect the documents. Floor plan and description of the premises, list of activities, products used and their safety data sheets, cleaning, disinfection and waste handling methods.
- We prepare a tailored document. The operating rules reflect your premises and the actual running of the business, not a generic template.
- Submission or approval. Where the law requires it, you submit them to the public health authority. Approval by decision usually takes up to 30 days, in complex cases up to 60 days.
- Updates. We adjust the operating rules for a new activity, premises, substances or technology.
Why an operating rules template is not enough
A template from the internet shows the structure, but it does not contain the health risk assessment – a mandatory part of the operating rules that only a qualified person may prepare – and it does not describe your premises, your products or your working procedures. The public health authority compares the operating rules with reality both when approving them and during inspections. If the document does not match reality or is not followed, you risk a fine of €150 to €20,000, up to double for a repeat breach.
How much operating rules cost
excl. VAT. The final price depends on the type of business and the scope of activities. We will prepare a free, no-obligation quote promptly. If you also need OSH, the occupational health service or fire protection, we can handle everything at once.
Get a quoteFrequently asked questions about operating rules
Who must have operating rules?
You must have operating rules if required by Act No. 355/2007 Coll. or a special regulation. This applies to operators of facilities such as schools and nursery schools, swimming facilities, healthcare facilities, social services facilities, accommodation and sports facilities and body care facilities. In addition, employers draw them up for work with risk factors such as noise or hazardous chemical or biological factors.
Does a hairdresser or beauty salon need operating rules?
Yes. Hairdressers, barbers, beauticians, manicure, pedicure, solariums, massage salons, saunas and tattoo studios are body care facilities. The operator must draw up operating rules and submit them to the public health authority (Section 23(3)(d) of Act No. 355/2007 Coll.). Since 21 July 2020 the authority no longer approves them by decision for these facilities.
Does a nursery school need operating rules?
Yes. Facilities for children and young people, including nursery schools, must have operating rules approved by the Regional Public Health Authority (Section 24(5)(f) of Act No. 355/2007 Coll.). They mainly cover the daily routine, care of sandpits, meals and drinking regime.
Does an office or shop need operating rules?
An ordinary office and a non-food shop do not need operating rules under Act No. 355/2007 Coll. They are not subject to a decision on putting the premises into operation either; the operator only notifies the authority of the start of operations no later than on the day it begins. Operating rules would only be needed if, for example, the workplace used hazardous chemical factors.
Does a restaurant need operating rules?
Act No. 355/2007 Coll. does not require catering establishments to have operating rules. Restaurants and canteens are governed by food law and must have procedures in place based on HACCP principles. We can help you with a HACCP plan as part of our HACCP service.
Who approves operating rules and how long does it take?
Where the law requires it, operating rules are approved by decision of the Regional Public Health Authority (Section 13(4)(b) of Act No. 355/2007 Coll.). Under the Administrative Procedure Code, the authority usually decides within 30 days, and within 60 days in particularly complex cases. An administrative fee of €50 is payable for the decision (item 150(f) of the schedule of administrative fees).
Is it enough to download an operating rules template?
A template from the internet shows the structure, but on its own it is not enough. Operating rules must describe your specific premises, activities, substances used and measures. The authority compares the document with reality both when approving it and during inspections, and failure to comply with the operating rules can lead to a fine.
How much does preparing operating rules cost?
We prepare operating rules from €299 excl. VAT. The final price depends on the type of business and the scope of activities. We will prepare a free, no-obligation quote promptly.
When must operating rules be updated?
With every change that affects them, for example a new activity, new premises, new chemical substances or technology. For facilities with approved operating rules, a proposal for amendment is submitted. When working conditions change, the employer must reassess the health risk, which is part of the operating rules.
What is the fine for missing operating rules?
For failing to draw up, submit or comply with operating rules, the public health authority can impose a fine of €150 to €20,000 on a legal entity or business owner, up to double for a repeat breach (Section 57(43) and (44) of Act No. 355/2007 Coll.).
We prepare operating rules for you
We assess whether you need them, prepare them tailored to your business and advise on submitting them to the authority. For companies throughout Slovakia.
