Description
The aim of the project was to promote safety culture in the workplace, both among employees and employers. It was implemented by conducting educational activities on the applicable standards and procedures and showing good practices and information on the benefits resulting from the implementation of high safety standards in the workplace.
Health and safety regulations in Poland are well developed but only in larger companies (with over 250 employees) it is obligatory to set a health and safety committee. SME companies that constitute 99% of the business sector in Poland are called the gray security zone. The project promoter being a regional section of the umbrella trade union Solidarnosc, from the Gdansk region, aimed to rise this issue and promote safety culture in the workplace, both among employees and employers.
The project trained around 150 members and candidates for social labor inspection in the Gdansk region who will secure implementation of the health and safety regulations also among employers that do not have own health and safety committees or safety service.
This goal was achieved through a series of actions:
- Analysis of Polish and Norwegian legal and formal framework for health and safety at workplace including a survey.
- Opening conference for 300 people (trade union representatives, District Labour Inspectorate), organized in Gdansk.
- Recruitment to the training sessions
- 10 training sessions (16 hours each) x 15 people each (150 training participants).
- Conference summarizing projects results (150 persons) with participation of social labour inspectors, employers’ associations, employers.
Summary of project results
The "Decent Work is a Safe Work" project aimed to address several critical issues related to occupational health and safety (OHS) in Poland, particularly within small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These enterprises, which make up the majority of the Polish economy, often lack comprehensive OHS measures and are referred to as the "gray security zone." The project sought to improve the safety culture in these workplaces by promoting better health and safety practices among both employees and employers. Additionally, the project aimed to address the low level of unionization in Poland and the insufficient implementation of health and safety regulations in smaller companies.
the project launched an extensive dissemination campaign that reached tens of thousands of individuals, raising awareness about the importance of OHS. The project developed and conducted a comprehensive training program, which included ten training sessions attended by 151 participants, as well as a specialized three-day training for social labor inspectors. Furthermore, the project organized four expert debates involving trade unionists, politicians, scientists, and social labor inspectors to discuss various aspects of OHS. A survey on working conditions was conducted, gathering responses from 500 individuals across different industries, and the findings were compiled into a report available on the project’s website. The project also produced several publications, including five micro-guides tailored to specific professions.
The project achieved significant results, benefiting a wide range of stakeholders. It successfully initiated a national conversation on systemic changes in labor protection in Poland, emphasizing the need for improved working conditions and enhanced social supervision. The dissemination campaign and training programs fostered greater awareness and compliance with OHS regulations, contributing to safer and healthier workplaces. The expert debates and survey provided valuable insights into the current state of OHS in Poland and highlighted areas for improvement. The publications and micro-guides offered practical advice to various professions, further promoting a culture of safety. Overall, the project positively impacted employees, employers, trade unionists, and social labor inspectors by enhancing their understanding and implementation of OHS standards.