The construction sector is covered by continuous intensified inspections of the labour inspectorate in Bulgaria throughout the year due to high risk prevailing for years both in terms of work safety and in terms of the use of undeclared work. In addition to general inspections on construction sites, as part of the campaign, inspection and supervisory activities were planned for: motorways under construction and repair, railroad lines under construction and repair, works on national and regional infrastructural projects and large construction sites. The priority were construction sites where earthworks, demolition and work at heights took place, as well as sites where construction tasks occurred in the framework of the 'National programme for energy efficiency of multi-family residential buildings.' The aim of inspections was to prevent accidents at work on construction sites – among others falls from heights, accidents involving falling objects and materials, the risk of electric shock, etc.

The priority area for the campaign was selected on the basis of an analysis of inspection activity results from previous years – due to the high risks identified over the years on construction sites both in terms of work safety (high numbers of work-related accidents, including fatal and serious ones), and in terms of using undeclared work. Expectations of social partners and large numbers of complaints concerning this sector were also important. The number of inspections was specified in the budget programming for 2023.

The inspections were carried out all year long. The duration of inspections conducted in the inspected entity was from 2 to 4 hours. The duration of actions conducted in the labour inspectorate’s office was similar.

All labour inspectors were involved in the campaign. It was also decided that inspectors from regions with a smaller scale of construction works will be posted to other regions with a large number of construction sites and with an insufficient number of inspectors, so as to maximise the results. The entities were selected based on data from the database in the information system of the General Labour Inspectorate Executive Agency, which reflected the content of the information board of a construction site (comprising, among others, data of the client, contractor, the start date of construction works, expected construction duration, the maximum number of workers working at the same time, etc.).

The campaign’s objective was to raise the awareness of workers about hazards in workplaces which may result in musculoskeletal disorders, if they perform work incorrectly and do not observe the correct methods of manual handling of loads. In the course of the campaign, cases were identified where employers did not reach the required level of conformity with occupational safety and health, yet they initiated corrective actions. Employers and workers are interested in observing OSH rules and undertaking indispensable actions, including training, in order to reduce the risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders. The campaign promoted an integrated approach to combating disorders of the musculoskeletal system, putting emphasis on the idea of joint efforts of employers and workers. Particular stress was placed on 'load management' and consideration was given to accompanying factors, such as e.g. pace of the task execution.

The Labour Inspectorate invited social partners in order to promote activities conducted during the campaign and ensure sectoral consultations. When selecting partners for cooperation in the project implementation, consideration was given to a high percentage of workers affected by musculoskeletal disorder, and also the sector most affected by the problem. The project was financed completely from the labour inspection’s own sources.

During preventive activities carried out by labour inspectors, materials prepared by the EU-OSHA were used, which enabled the activation of employers and employees.

The project implementation comprised visits to entities, distribution of publications, provision of advice, and informing the social side during visits about the methods of health protection during manual transport works. In the framework of the campaign, information on undertaken activities was transmitted to more than 200 nationwide and local media. On top of that, information was published on the websites of the General Labour Inspectorate – Executive Agency and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy, and on the website of the EU-OSHA.