The State Labour Inspection adopted, as one of the three key priorities for its 2022-2024 activities, inspection and supervision in the area of broadly understood chemical safety when producing, using and storing chemical substances and mixtures in various sectors of economic activity. During this initiative particular attention was paid to the monitoring of chemical agents harmful to health in the work environment and to relevant measures taken by employers to minimise occupational exposure and thus to reduce adverse health effects.

The SLI Strategy for the inspection of chemical risks in the working environment fits into EU lines of action regarding the protection against harmful effects on health of chemical substances and their mixtures. This corresponds both with the objectives of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan and with the EU priorities, as set out by SLIC, for the enforcement of OSH legislation on chemical risks. This strategy also responds to the European challenges defined in the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability Towards a Toxic-Free Environment.

Inspections conducted in Poland by the State Labour Inspection covered issues regulated by the EU REACH and CLP Regulations, as well as protection of workers exposed to chemical substances and mixtures of carcinogenic or mutagenic effect, which present a particular health risk. Inspections concerned groups of chemicals for which there are separate regulations, i.e. biocidal products, explosives for civil use and pyrotechnic products. They also covered exposure to asbestos dust as a chemical substance for which the maximum permissible concentration in the work environment has been defined. Additionally, inspections broadly covered occupational safety and health in specific economic sectors of industry, as regards workers’ exposure to hazardous and harmful chemical agents, and workplaces with a potential explosive atmosphere due to the substances and mixtures used, as well as establishments with a potentially high risk of a serious industrial breakdown. 

Data from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) shows that 18-24 year olds are more likely to have a serious accident at work than older workers. Young workers often lack experience and sometimes also maturity, which is why they do not always take hazards existing in workplaces seriously. Persons entering the labour market often lack the essential knowledge of employee rights and the duties of employers. Caring about young workers, the State Labour Inspection conducted the three-year communication and educational campaign titled 'Legit work'.

Preparation and implementation of the project were financed completely from the SLI’s own resources. In 2022, the SLI devised the strategy and visual image of the campaign for promotional activities in the mass media, also social media, on the website and in public transport. The campaign’s title refers to the idea of taking up legal employment. Its main slogan 'Check your rights!' calls for action and encourages recipients to learn about their employee rights. Posters, internet banners, infographics, overlays for social media, among others, were produced. The content on the campaign’s website was prepared in an interesting and inviting format. Educational materials, multimedia and infographics were developed.

Guidelines for the implementation of the task were created. In each district labour inspectorate, at least one person was appointed to conduct the campaign. In the framework of it, in years 2022-2024 district labour inspectorates organised 1825 training events at which almost 83 000 persons were trained, and 2208 dissemination events for almost 38 500 persons.

Activities undertaken in district labour inspectorates were supported with a media campaign. From October to November 2023 and throughout October 2024 the State Labour Inspection carried out promotional activities on the Internet. Each time, for 35 days, short information videos (30 sec and 15 sec long) were broadcast on internet services like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram, and advertising banners directing to the campaign’s website were displayed through Google advertising network.

Pupils and students are also groups which regularly use public transport, such as buses, trams, municipal commuter trains and the subway. Considering this, the State Labour Inspection carried out advertising in public transport, using LCD screens and displaying advertising posters. From November to December 2023 and in 2024, for 28 days in each case in 16 provinces – in almost 50 cities, three 30-second (animated) information spots were broadcast in rotation and posters were displayed.