Health, Safety and Security

Health and safety training should be organised by the employer or an entity designated by the employer and authorised to provide training.
The employer should also repeat it from time to time during the period of work to remind and consolidate knowledge of health and safety, which also depends on the specifics of the job. The frequency should be adapted to the industry.

Training and epidemics and pandemics

During periods of epidemics or epidemiological emergencies, it is acceptable for such training to take place online as far as the workplace permits.

Training must take place stationary in the case of:

• a worker in a labour position,
• an employee in a position where there is a risk of exposure to hazardous agents,
• of an employee who changes jobs,
• the pupil or student who is doing the placement.

Types of training

Health and safety regulations provide for two types of training:

• preliminary,
• periodic,

Initial training should take place before an employee commences his or her duties, and periodic training is designed to update and consolidate knowledge already acquired and to familiarise with new developments, if any.

Both initial and periodic training should take place during working hours and at the employer's expense. Once an employee has familiarised himself with the safety rules of the workplace, he is obliged to confirm this fact with his own signature.

Health and safety training is not required only when an employee changes workplace but continues in the same position.

Training for administrative and office staff

Under the new legislation, health and safety training does not have to be given to administrative and office workers employed in companies where at most risk category three has been established. These groups have the least harmful factors to health and the lowest accident rate.

Activities with no higher than risk category three:

• manufacture of clothing and leather,
• printing,
• manufacture of computers and all kinds of electronics,
• retail trade, excluding car trade,
• aviation,
• information and communication,
• detective and security activities,
• education,
• cultural and entertainment activities,
• scientific activities,
• finance and insurance and real estate,
• gastronomy,
• administrative customer service.

Occupational health and safety service in the workplace

The existence of a health and safety at work service depends on the number of employees. If the number of employees exceeds one hundred, the employer is obliged to establish such a service. On the other hand, if there are less than a hundred employees, the employer is obliged to appoint one person to perform the tasks belonging to the service.
The employer himself can also fulfil this role, provided that he himself has received the appropriate training and does not employ more than twenty people in his company.

 Scope of first aid in the workplace

Is it necessary to be able to perform first aid in the workplace? The Labour Code imposes an obligation on the employer to appoint a person responsible for first aid, as well as to act in the field of fire fighting and evacuation of employees.
The scope of these activities must be adapted to the workplace. Where a company employs only young people or people with disabilities, all these functions can be carried out by the employer.

On the question of whether any particular person should be responsible for administering first aid or being a trainer, there are no special regulations. What is important is that such a person is competent and that the knowledge he or she acquires and imparts is adapted to the place and the specifics of the work.

Training at our centre

You are welcome to attend the open and closed training courses on occupational health and safety that we organise throughout Poland.

Contact us.

Questions and answers