As it has been announced the Labour Inspectorate (PIP) is conducting inspections into adherence to the rules of occupational safety and health, including an evaluation of the occupational risk linked to the possibility of becoming infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 

Employers should conduct an appropriate review and make any possible adjustments to these rules with ample lead time. This will make it possible to avoid any difficulties in the event of a possible PIP inspection while enhancing safety in work establishments. 

Employers are obligated to make regular checks and document the occupational risk associated with the work done and apply the requisite means of prevention to mitigate the risk in question. This evaluation should be conducted separately for a given workstation and take into account its distinct features (direct contacts with clients for instance). 

In connection with the appearance of the risk of coronavirus infection it may be necessary to add this risk to the list of occupational risks facing a given position and designate the appropriate means of prevention (for instance, using face shields, disinfecting hands, limiting the number of people in rooms, etc.).

The risk evaluation must be subject to consultation with the health and safety department or the persons responsible for performing this department’s tasks. Best practice calls for involving the employees who work at the position undergoing evaluation to participate in the evaluation, too. 

Any possible modification to the evaluation of the occupational risk must be shared with the interested employees. For evidentiary purposes employers should require employees to confirm receipt of this information (in electronic form, for instance).

Find more in the PRO HR September 2020.