According to Article 174 of the Labor Code of Ukraine, the employment of women in heavy labor and jobs with harmful or hazardous working conditions is prohibited. This ban also extends to underground work, except for non-physical tasks or roles related to sanitary and domestic services. Additionally, women are not permitted to lift and move objects exceeding established weight limits.

The maximum weight limits for lifting and moving loads by women are established by the Order of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine No. 241 dated December 10, 1993. When lifting and moving loads in combination with other types of work (no more than twice per hour), the maximum permissible weight is 10 kg. If the lifting is performed continuously throughout a work shift, the limit is 7 kg.

The total weight of a load that a woman can move within one hour must not exceed 350 kg when lifted from a working surface (e.g., a conveyor or table) and 175 kg when lifted from the floor. The total weight includes the mass of the container and packaging.

Maximum Weight Limits for Lifting and Moving Loads by Women

According to Article 175 of the Labor Code, women cannot be engaged in night work, except in cases where it is dictated by special production needs and permitted as a temporary measure.

During martial law, the legal regime has specific features. According to Article 9 of the Law of Ukraine “On the Organization of Labor Relations under Martial Law,” women (except for pregnant women and women with a child under one year of age) may be engaged in heavy labor, jobs with harmful or hazardous conditions, and underground work with their consent. However, Article 8 of the same law prohibits engaging pregnant women and women with a child under one year of age in night work without their consent.

Thus, the legislation provides a comprehensive system of restrictions to protect women’s health, but during martial law, certain exceptions apply, allowing their involvement in difficult working conditions only with their voluntary consent.