


Slovenia
Inspection campaign

Health and safety inspection on temporary and mobile construction sites
- Duration: 2023
- Sector: construction
- Number of inspected entities: 461 construction sites, 925 companies, 1 512 inspections
- Number of labour inspectors engaged in the campaign activities: 28

The main objective of the inspections conducted in the framework of the campaign was to decrease the number of accidents at work and ensure a safe working environment on construction sites. In addition to traditional construction sites, inspectors also inspected the work sites of contractors such as roofers, carpenters, joiners, and window fitters. They found a total of 2 444 infringements and issued 1 030 measures. Most irregularities were found in relation to: work at height (scaffolding, guardrails, work on roofs), ensuring the use of personal protective equipment, and failure to follow the instructions of occupational safety and health coordinators. Inspectors issued 225 regulatory decisions, 73 of which were issued orally. In 67 cases, work was banned because of direct danger to workers' lives.

The priority area of the campaign was selected based on the inspectorate’s own database of workplace accidents, EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027, and complaints. A specific sector (construction) and the verification of compliance of working conditions with legal requirements were defined as priority areas for the campaign.

Inspections were carried out evenly throughout the planned activities. The duration of the inspections at workplaces was between 2 and 4 hours. The duration of activities at the labour inspectorate’s office was no more than 2 hours. Almost all labour inspectors were involved in the inspection activities. The target group of entities to be inspected was identified with the use of INSPIS, the labour inspectorate's information system. Information on accidents at work on specific construction sites, previous infringements, and notices of starting work on construction site were also taken into account. During the inspections labour inspectors had at their disposal: the rationale of the inspection activities; description of the objectives of the inspection activities; description of the ways in which to implement the activities; checklists; information about the rules of programme evaluation; description of the reporting requirements; specialist materials; and examples of reactive actions to be taken by inspectors upon identification of typical cases of incompliance.
Monitoring and coordination activities were carried out by one OSH inspector – construction specialist. He assisted labour inspectors in solving problems and monitored the level of implementation of the plan on the quantitative and qualitative level (whether inspections are carried out according to guidelines).

Campaign results were evaluated against the checklists, which were the basis for the inspections and were used to determine whether the inspectors have checked all the issues and whether they identified all the risk factors. Employers provided written answers regarding the elimination of the irregularities identified. Information on the results of the campaign is published in the annual report and, in some cases, on the labour inspectorate's website. Reports on the findings are sent to various mass media if they express such interest. Information is provided on, among others, the duration of the activities, the irregularities found and measures taken. The materials for the media are also accompanied by a commentary on the findings made during the inspections covered by the campaign, good and bad practices, etc. The campaign was repeated in 2024 and its effects will be evaluated in 2025.
non-inspection campaign

Eliminate conflicts at work
- Duration: 1.2.2017 – 31.3.2023
- Sector: all economic sectors
- Number of establishments covered by the non-inspection activity: 7 501 enterprises, 8 962 participants
- Number of inspectors engaged in the non-inspection activity: 2
- Number of specialised staff involved in implementing the non-inspection activity: 1
- Budget: EUR 1 925 000

The aim of the project was to inform employers and assist them in the correct use of labour legislation. The project involved the organisation of various events attended by employers from all over the country. The project group of labour inspectorate staff drafted a project of the information campaign covering specific topics for better understanding and application of occupational health and safety legislation. The project gathered in total 7 501 enterprises, and 8 962 participants attended 51 seminars and 214 lectures. The budget of the project was EUR 1 925 000.00. The project was in 80% funded by the European Union, with the remaining 20% coming from the national budget.

The plan of the campaign was developed by a specially established unit composed of the labour inspectorate’s employees. Consistency of the implemented project with the approved plans was verified by the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities. At the preparation stage the project used the inspectorate's own database of workplace accidents, proposals from employers’ organisations, complaints filed with the labour inspectorate, information in mass media (radio, television, newspapers, social media). The criteria used to identify the campaign's target group ensured a comprehensive approach. The need to cover all regions in the country was one of the factors taken into account. Another important factor involved analyses of accidents at work and typical irregularities found by labour inspectors during inspections of entities carrying out particular types of activity - the analysis of these data allowed to put emphasis on areas requiring special intervention. In addition, the planning process took into account the area of interest of the social partners - employers' organisations.

The implementation of the project included training sessions, provision of advice, distribution of publications and audio-visual materials, and organisation of preventive programmes based on the voluntary participation of enterprises. In addition, seminars and conferences encouraged experience and information exchange, and information was posted on the labour inspectorate’s website. The message of the project was disseminated in regional press and on websites containing information addressed at the target groups. A special car was also used, painted with signs promoting information about the campaign.

The results of the project were assessed on the basis of the attendance at conferences and marks given by seminar participants. The project met expectations by involving a significant number of employers and effectively raising their awareness of health and safety at work, which translated into concrete actions taken by enterprises to improve the working conditions of their employees.