English 
Francês 
Alemão 
Italiano 
Japonês 
Norueguês 
Portuguese 
Spanish 
3 min of reading 
0 comments 
A Federal Regulation Created in the 1980s Is Still in Effect, Limits Daily Working Hours, and Directly Focuses on Protecting the Health of Professionals Exposed to Continuous Risks
A little-known labor regulation has once again caught attention in Brazil in 2026, although it does not represent any recent change in legislation. Still, the information surprises many workers by revealing that one profession in the health field already has a daily working hour limit of only four hours.
From the beginning, it is important to clarify that this reality did not arise now. On the contrary, it has been stipulated for decades in federal legislation, created with the central objective of preserving the health of professionals exposed to constant risks in the exercise of their functions.
In this context, the rule applies exclusively to radiologists, radiology technicians, and radiology technologists, categories that are directly exposed to ionizing radiation, recognized for its cumulative effects on the human body over time.
-
Employee Fired After Accumulating 114 Days of Medical Leave in One Year, Labor Court Upholds Company’s Decision
-
Employee Fired While Treating Depression Wins in Court and Vale Is Required to Rehire Him Following Decision Based on the CLT and INSS Benefits
-
Workers Should Be Aware! March 6 Will Be The Fifth Business Day Of March And The Final Deadline For Companies To Pay Salaries According To The CLT
-
2026 FGTS Anniversary Withdrawal Is Released According to Birth Month, Sets Amounts by Balance Range, Establishes Deadlines for March and April, and Changes Rules in Case of Dismissal
According to Federal Law No. 7,394, enacted on October 29, 1985, these professionals may work a maximum of four hours per day or 24 hours per week, a limit defined as a preventive occupational health measure, not as a common labor benefit.
Recognition of Risk Led to the Creation of Reduced Working Hours
Still in the 1980s, technical studies and assessments in the field of occupational health were already pointing out that continuous exposure to radiation, even when controlled, required strict time restrictions to avoid progressive health damage.
Therefore, the Brazilian legislator chose to incorporate protection directly into the law, establishing a differentiated regime for radiology, distinct from other areas of health that do not deal with this type of physical risk.
In addition to limiting working hours, the legislation also requires the compliance with specific technical standards, reinforcing the protective nature of the activity and the care needed in the work environment.
Among the main points defined since 1985, the following stand out:
• Maximum working hours of four hours per day;
• Total weekly limit of 24 hours;
• Formal recognition of the activity as a risky profession;
• Mandatory compliance with strict technical protocols.
Thus, these professionals became part of a specific legal framework, structured to minimize the effects of prolonged exposure to ionizing radiation throughout their professional lives.
Why the Topic Resurfaced in 2026
Although the law has been in effect for about 40 years, the subject gained renewed visibility in 2026, driven by broader discussions on work hour reduction, productivity, and quality of life in Brazil.
In this scenario, incomplete information led some of the public to believe that a new law had been created. However, there has been no recent legislative change. The rule remains valid exactly as defined in the 1980s.
Agencies such as the Ministry of Labor and Employment, as well as technical references related to radiology, reiterate that the regulation remains strictly limited to this profession, with no automatic extension to other categories.
Health Protection Remains the Central Objective
According to experts in occupational health and labor law, the reduced working hours in radiology have always been preventive, aimed at preserving long-term health.
For this reason, the legislation differentiates these professionals from others in the health field, emphasizing that the limitation of hours is directly linked to the risk of the activity, and not to modern policies of work flexibility.
In summary, despite the repercussions in 2026, the four-hour daily work schedule in radiology is not new. It is a consolidated policy since 1985, based on technical and sanitary criteria.
Given this history, understanding the legal and chronological context of the regulation helps avoid misinterpretations and raises an inevitable reflection: Should other risky professions adopt similar health protection models in the future?
Seja o primeiro a reagir!