The government has established a programme to improve the safety and working conditions to be implemented between the period of 2020-2022 (Stage V). This is a continuation of the previous programmes to be implemented for the period 2008-2019 (Stages I to IV). There is no doubt that the programme has a significant impact on increasing the level of occupational health and safety in Poland. Nevertheless, approximately 300 persons still die each year in result of workplace accidents.

- Expenditures from the accident fund maintained by the Social Insurance Institution related to workplace accidents and occupational diseases amount to approximately PLN 5 billion annually. That amount does not include the costs incurred by the National Health Fund for treatment and rehabilitation - says the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy, Bożena Borys-Szopa.

Modern technologies for increasing safety

The programme involves the use of modern technologies and innovative solutions to increase occupational health and safety. This will significantly reduce the number of people exposed to hazardous, harmful and noxious factors and, as a result, reduce the number of workplace accidents and occupational diseases.

It also means a decrease in economic losses (e.g. payments of disability benefits, sickness benefits, compensations) as well as a reduction in social losses - exclusion from the labour market results in the loss of professional competences.

- The implementation of the programme will contribute to establishing better and safer jobs, which should result in preserving and improving work ability as well as extending the working lives of people in employment. Importantly, this also applies to elderly people and persons with disabilities. The workplaces will be adapted to the age and psychophysical capabilities of employees, helping to prevent their exclusion from the labour market - says Minister Bożena Borys-Szopa.

Promoting OHS

The programme also provides for activities aimed at shaping and promoting the culture of safety at the workplace by improving OHS management and development of a modern social education system in that respect.

- It is crucial to shape and promote good practices - says the head of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy.

The programme also includes the implementation of measures for introducing standards for occupational health and safety. Moreover, it involves the development of methods and tools aimed at preventing and reducing occupational risks in the work environment related to the dynamic development of technology and work processes.

The programme also includes the development of the www.ciop.pl web portal aimed to present the results of the programme. The website will provide an up-to-date source of information with regards to methods and manners of maintaining occupational health and safety in modern working conditions, including interactive IT applications supporting on-line activities regarding occupational health and safety and accident prevention. It also includes sections dedicated to specialist services (fire brigades, mining rescue, inspections) and other recipients (including small and medium enterprises).

According to estimates, the implementation of the programme in the years 2020-2022 will amount to approximately PLN 101.5 million from the budget resources managed by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, Ministry of Science

and Higher Education.