Occupational health and safety is not something you can deal with through a one-off training session when an employee starts. It is a set of ongoing obligations that protect employees and the company itself from penalties and liability for a workplace injury. Find out what health and safety means for companies in practice, what obligations the law imposes and how to meet them effectively.
What OHS is and why it concerns every company
OHS – occupational health and safety – is a system of measures that reduces the risk of workplace injuries and occupational diseases. Every employer is obliged to ensure health and safety, regardless of the size of the company or its sector.
The Czech Labour Code requires the employer to create safe working conditions even if the company has only one employee. The scope of specific measures varies with the level of risk of the operation, but the basic obligation applies universally – from offices and shops to production halls.
Which health and safety obligations must a company meet
A company must ensure a risk assessment of its workplaces, train its employees, provide them with protective equipment and keep the relevant documentation. These obligations apply at the same time, and none of them can replace another.
The employer’s basic obligations include:
- Assessing and categorising the risks at individual workplaces
- Preparing and updating health and safety documentation appropriate to the operation
- Regular training for employees and managers
- Providing personal protective equipment where needed
- Recording and investigating workplace injuries
The scope of these obligations depends on the risk category of the specific work. We therefore always recommend consulting the exact set-up with a competent person or a specialist health and safety company.
Health and safety training for employees: how often and to what extent
Every employee must complete health and safety training when they start work and then repeatedly at the interval set by the company’s internal rules. Managers complete more extensive training, as they are responsible for the safety of their team.
Training must reflect the specific risks of the position – general training that is not linked to the actual work does not fulfil the purpose of the law.
Personal protective equipment
The employer must provide employees with protective equipment free of charge where the risk in the workplace cannot be eliminated in any other way. The choice of specific equipment is based on the risk assessment of the workplace.
However, simply handing out the equipment is not enough. The employer must also ensure regular checks, maintenance and replacement with new equipment when worn equipment no longer protects properly. Employees should also be trained in how to use the specific equipment correctly, not just told that they have to wear it.
What happens if health and safety is neglected
Breaching health and safety obligations can lead to a fine from the State Labour Inspection Office and, in the event of a workplace injury, even to criminal liability of specific individuals. The amount of the penalty depends on the seriousness of the shortcoming and the level of danger to employees.
Besides the fine itself, after a workplace injury the employer is also liable for compensating the employee if it is proven that the injury was related to inadequately ensured safety at work. That is precisely why regular reviews of documentation, training and the condition of the workplace pay off economically in the long run.
Protect your company and your employees
Health and safety for companies is not a one-off administrative obligation, but an ongoing system that protects employees and the very existence of the company during an inspection or after a workplace injury. A risk assessment, up-to-date documentation, regular training and working protective equipment form the foundation of a safe workplace. The surest way to keep the whole agenda in order without unnecessary burden is to entrust health and safety to experts who prepare and continually update the documentation and OHS training for you.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
How often must health and safety training be renewed?
The interval for refresher training is set by the company’s internal rules, usually once every 1 to 2 years. When an employee changes position or workplace, or new technology is introduced, the training must be repeated regardless of the previous interval.
What does a company face after a workplace injury without valid health and safety documentation?
Missing or outdated documentation makes it much harder for the company to defend itself when the injury is investigated and increases the risk of a penalty from the labour inspectorate. The employer may also be liable for compensating the employee if a link between the injury and inadequately ensured safety is proven.
Is it better to have an in-house or an external health and safety technician?
For most small and medium-sized companies, working with an external competent person is more advantageous. It provides up-to-date expertise and monitoring of legislation without the cost of a full-time specialist who would not be fully utilised in a smaller operation.
How do I find out what health and safety risks my workplace has?
A risk assessment is carried out by a competent person based on an assessment of the specific work, the machinery used and the environment. This assessment determines the scope of all other obligations, so it is not worth underestimating it or carrying it out without expert assessment.
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