Peru expands occupational health and safety requirements to address solar radiation and chemical risk management

The Peruvian government recently enacted two regulations that introduce new workplace obligations with respect to occupational health and safety (OHS). These include Supreme Decree No. 003-2026-SA, which establishes preventive measures against the harmful effects of solar radiation, and Supreme Decree No. 005-2026-MINAM, which regulates the comprehensive management of chemical substances.

Together, these regulations expand the scope of workplace risk prevention and introduce requirements for employers that are subject to regulatory oversight and enforcement.

Solar radiation: Elevated standards for outdoor work

Supreme Decree No. 003-2026-SA, implementing Law No. 30102, formally recognizes exposure to solar radiation as an OHS risk requiring active management.

Under this framework, both public and private entities must:

• Inform personnel of the risks associated with prolonged sun exposure
  
  
• Either conduct institutional, sports, ceremonial, and similar activities in shaded or protected environments, or schedule such activities between 8:00am and 9:00am PET in the highlands, between 8:00am and 10:00am PET in coastal and jungle regions, or after 4:00pm PET nationwide
  
  
• Display visible warnings regarding the health risks of solar exposure
  
  
• Promote tree planting and similar measures to increase natural shade 

Additionally, employers are required to incorporate solar radiation exposure into their OHS management systems and implement appropriate controls. Such controls may include:

• Providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
  
  
• Rotating workers exposed to high levels of solar radiation
  
  
• Implementing occupational health monitoring, including dermatological and ophthalmological evaluations

Chemical substances: A lifecycle, risk-based framework

Supreme Decree No. 005-2026-MINAM, implementing Legislative Decree No. 1570, establishes a comprehensive, risk-based framework for the management of chemical substances throughout their lifecycle.

Employers are required to:

• Provide the appropriate PPE for the corresponding hazards identified in product labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS), ensuring compliance with applicable technical specifications
  
  
• Integrate relevant SDS information into workplace contingency plans, including first aid measures, fire response, and spill control 
  
  
• Train personnel on the interpretation of product labels and the proper use of PPE, as well as applicable incident response protocols 
  
  
• Ensure that safety information relating to the handling of chemical substances is clearly visible and readily accessible at points of use

Key takeaways

In light of these regulatory developments, companies operating in Peru may wish to begin reassessing their OHS management systems and implementing operational adjustments.

Key actions include:

• Reviewing outdoor work practices to ensure alignment with prescribed schedules and protective measures 
  
  
• Verifying that PPE is appropriate and consistent with identified risks
  
  
• Updating OHS monitoring protocols 
  
  
• Ensuring that SDS are available, current, and effectively integrated into operational procedures 
  
  
• Strengthening contingency plans for chemical-related emergencies 

These regulations reflect an increased emphasis on preventive OHS risk management and expand employers’ obligations, particularly in sectors with field-based operations or those that involve the use of chemical substances.

Accordingly, companies may consider conducting a comprehensive review of their workplace risk matrices, operational protocols, and personnel training programs to assess alignment with the new requirements and determine appropriate compliance measures. 

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