Small building sites have the most irregularities

2010-04-13

The largest number of irregularities has been noted on small building sites, and primarily concern inappropriate safety measures being taken by workers working at high altitudes, according to data published by the National Labour Inspectorate (PIP).
In 2009 PIP controllers inspected over 5,400 sites on which residential, office, commercial and hotel facilities were being built. Contractors most often did not comply with regulations applicable to work at high altitudes – lack of railings, safeguards again falls, as well as appropriate securing of access ways and marking of dangerous sites. In addition, on several sites power installations and equipment were used incorrectly, cables and lines were also not secured against mechanical wear and tear. Moreover, construction worker did not have the right protective headgear, and often worked on machinery and equipment without the required permits. PIP controllers also visited 865 bridges, motorways and viaducts, where the main irregularities concerned a lack of marking and securing of dangerous zones and sites, and also a lack of appropriate sanitary and cleaning facilities.
As a result of PIP’s inspections, 297 petitions were submitted to courts, and another 25 notifications were filed with the public prosecutor’s office. The Inspectorate’s controllers also imposed penal fines and orders to suspend work or instruct workers to engage in different types of construction works.

Find more news and analyses in internet service Construction Poland Online and pdf newsletter Polish Construction Review.