Here is the ergonomics legislation from
Brazil
The information here was collated from official online sources by Ergo Global ergonomists. All information is for general purposes and cannot be considered 1-to-1 legal advice. Ergo Global disclaim any liability relating to the information provided on this page.
To Note
Brazil does not have a single “ergonomics act,” but ergonomics regulation is integrated into its Occupational Safety Regulatory Standards NR17.
Page last updated: 13/05/2026
The Duties of
The Employer
-
17.3 Evaluation of Work Situations -
17.3.1 - The organization shall carry out a preliminary ergonomic assessment of work situations which, due to the nature and content of the activities required, need to be adapted to the psychophysiological characteristics of the workers to support the implementation of the necessary prevention and adaptation measures provided for in this NR17.
17.3.1.1 - The preliminary ergonomic assessments may be carried out using qualitative, semi-quantitative or quantitative approaches or a combination of these, depending on the risk and legal requirements, to identify hazards and provide information for planning the necessary preventive measures.
17.3.1.2 - The preliminary ergonomic assessment can be included in the stages of the hazard identification and risk assessment process described in item 1.5.4 of NR01 – General Provisions and Occupational Risk Management.
17.3.1.2.1 - The preliminary ergonomic assessments shall be recorded by the organization.
17.3.2 - The organization shall carry out an ergonomic work analysis, when: a) the need for a more detailed assessment of the situation is identified, b) shortcomings or inadequacies of the measures adopted are identified, c) suggested by the Occupational Health Medical Control Program (PCMSO) and paragraph (c) of item 1.5.5.1.1 of NR01, or d) identified as a cause related to working conditions in the analysis of occupational accidents and diseases under the Risk Management Program (Programa de Gerenciamento de Riscos – PGR). -
17.5 Lifting, handling, and unloading of loads individually -
17.5.1 - Manual handling of loads by a worker whose weight is likely to compromise their health or safety shall not be required or permitted.
17.5.1.1 - The load carried shall be reduced in the case of female workers and minors in activities permitted by law. -
17.6 Workstation furniture -
17.6.1 - All workstation furniture shall be adjustable in one or more of its parts to adapt it to the anthropometric characteristics of all workers involved and to the nature of the work to be performed.
17.6.2 - Where work can be performed alternately standing and sitting, the workstation shall be designed or adapted to encourage alternation. -
17.8 Comfort conditions in the workplace -
17.8.1 - All workplaces and situations shall have lighting, natural or artificial, general, or supplementary, appropriate to the nature of the activity.
17.8.2 - Lighting shall be so designed and installed as to avoid glare, reflections, shadows, and excessive contrasts.
17.8.3 - In all indoor workplaces and situations, lighting shall be provided in accordance with the minimum lighting levels for workplaces established in Fundacentro’s Occupational Hygiene Standard No. 11 (NHO11) – Evaluation of Lighting Levels in Indoor Workplaces, version 2018.
The Duties of
The Employer
for Remote Work
-
Article 75-C (Included by Law No. 14,442, of 2022),
Expenses - The employer shall not be responsible for the expenses resulting from the return to face-to-face work, in the event that the employee chooses by teleworking or remote work outside the location provided for in the contract, unless otherwise specified stipulated between the parties. -
Article 75-F (Included by Law No. 14,442, of 2022)
Priority - Employers shall give priority to employees with disabilities and employees with children or children in care up to 4 (four) years of age in the allocation in vacancies for activities that can be carried out through teleworking or remote work.
The Duties of
The Employee
-
17.3.1 Participation in Ergonomic Assessment -
Employees must engage with the company to identify hazards and implement ergonomic improvements. They are required to participate in both preliminary ergonomic assessments and, if necessary, deeper ergonomic analyses of their work. -
17.5.3 Adherence to Adjusted Procedures -
Employees must follow instructions regarding posture, handling of materials, and operation of equipment, as established by the company's risk management program and ergonomic assessment. -
Annex I, 7.2 Training and Training Attendance -
Employees, particularly in specialized roles like checkout operators or telemarketers, must participate in regular, mandatory training about risks, health problems, and correct workstation usage, provided by the employer. -
17.4 Notification of Health Issues
Employees must report any signs or symptoms of occupational diseases or discomfort immediately to the employer, enabling the company to review workstations.
What's next?
Step 1
Run an ergonomics audit following these regulations.
Step 2
List out the gaps in your ergonomics policy.
Step 4
Contact Ergo Global for more support where needed.
