Decrease in health risks and accidents at the workplace - Poland

Risks to health in the workplace and occupational accidents and diseases have declined significantly in Poland in the 15 years from 1991 to 2005. Nevertheless, there are still a number of risk factors prevailing, with certain sectors being particularly vulnerable. At least 12% of the workforce is working under hazardous conditions and the total is probably even higher, as no data are available for privately owned farms and for enterprises with fewer than 10 employees: these are thought to be among the high risk categories. Due to the surplus of labour supply available, some employers put a high priority on competitiveness and disregard the issue of safety. However, there are signs that this situation is changing, at least in some sectors. The Central Statistical Office survey for 2005 also gathered data on risk prevention.