The Czech Republic has a comprehensive framework of health and safety laws that prioritize worker well-being. These laws are heavily influenced by European Union (EU) directives and are enforced by national legislation.

Main Sources of Health and Safety Law

The main sources of health and safety law in the Czech Republic are:

• The Labour Code: This act serves as the cornerstone of health and safety legislation in the Czech Republic. Part Five of the Code elaborates on the specific requirements and obligations for a safe and healthy work environment. It transposes the EU Framework Directive on health and safety.

Key Principles

The key principles of the Czech health and safety regime are:

• Employer's Responsibility: The regime emphasizes the employer's responsibility to create a safe and healthy work environment. This includes conducting risk assessments, implementing preventive measures, and providing employees with necessary information and training.
• Risk Assessment: The Labour Code mandates ongoing risk assessments to identify potential hazards in the workplace and implement control measures to mitigate them.
• Employee Rights and Duties: Employees have the right to a safe workplace and healthy working conditions. They also have a duty to cooperate with employers in adhering to health and safety regulations.

Enforcement

The enforcement of health and safety legislation is the responsibility of the Labour Inspectorate. The inspectors conduct workplace visits, investigate complaints, and have the authority to issue fines for non-compliance.

Occupational health and safety (OSH) is a priority in the Czech Republic, with a comprehensive framework of legislation and enforcement in place to ensure worker safety and well-being. The core principles of OSH are outlined in Part Five of the Labour Code (Act No. 262/2006 Col.), which emphasizes the employer's responsibility to ensure a safe work environment and mandates ongoing risk assessments.

Complementing the Labour Code is Act No. 309/2006 Col. on Further Requirements on Occupational Health and Safety, which provides detailed regulations aligned with European directives, ensuring a harmonized approach to OSH across the EU. Act No. 258/2000 Col. on Public Health Protection and Act No. 373/2011 Col. on Specific Health Services also play crucial roles in addressing the protection of health at work and establishing requirements for providing preventive healthcare to employees, respectively.

Competent Authorities

The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs holds primary responsibility for occupational safety and oversees labor inspections. The State Labour Inspection Office enforces compliance with OSH and labor condition standards through regional inspectorates. The Ministry of Health, through the State Authority for Protection of Health at Work, is responsible for enforcing occupational health standards.

In addition, the Czech Mining Office specifically enforces OSH regulations within the mining industry and for activities involving explosives. The State Office for Nuclear Safety plays a regulatory role regarding occupational safety in workplaces dealing with ionizing radiation. This distribution of responsibilities ensures a multi-faceted approach to OSH compliance and worker protection.

Workplace inspections in the Czech Republic are a crucial part of ensuring safe and healthy working environments. These inspections are conducted by the State Labour Inspection Office (SLIO) and its regional inspectorates under the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (MOLSA). The inspections aim to verify compliance with labor legislation, including employee remuneration, working hours and overtime, occupational safety and health, prohibition of discrimination, and proper employment practices. They also offer advisory services to employers and employees regarding their rights and obligations.

Types of Workplace Inspections

There are two main types of workplace inspections:

1. Planned inspections: These are based on a pre-determined schedule or risk assessment.
2. Unannounced inspections: These are triggered by employee complaints or potential hazards identified by inspectors.

Procedures for Workplace Inspections

The general procedures for workplace inspections involve several steps:

1. Notification: The SLIO or regional inspectorate informs the employer about the upcoming inspection (except in unannounced inspections).
2. Documentation Review: Inspectors examine relevant documentation related to employment contracts, working hours, health and safety measures, and employee training records.
3. Workplace Assessment: Inspectors conduct a physical inspection of the workplace to evaluate compliance with safety regulations and working conditions.
4. Findings and Recommendations: Following the inspection, the inspectors prepare a report outlining their findings, any identified non-compliance issues, and recommendations for corrective actions.
5. Follow-up Actions: The employer is required to address the identified issues within a specified timeframe. Inspectors may conduct follow-up visits to verify corrective actions.

Frequency of Inspections

The frequency of inspections depends on several factors, including the industry sector, the employer's history of compliance, and the number of employees. High-risk industries are inspected more frequently, as are employers with a history of violations. Workplaces with a larger workforce may also be inspected more often.

Follow-up Actions

Following an inspection, the findings will determine the course of action:

1. Compliance: If no violations are found, the inspection process is concluded.
2. Minor Violations: The employer receives recommendations for corrective actions and a timeframe for compliance.
3. Serious Violations: The inspector may issue an improvement order or propose a fine depending on the severity of the violation.
4. Repeat Offenses: In cases of repeated non-compliance, the SLIO may impose stricter penalties, including business closures.

In the Czech Republic, there are specific protocols that need to be followed in the event of a workplace accident. These protocols are designed to ensure the safety of employees, investigate the cause of the accident, and determine the appropriate compensation.

Reporting Requirements

Employers have a responsibility to investigate the cause of any workplace injury, regardless of its severity. All injuries, even those that do not result in missed work days, must be recorded in an accident book. In the case of injuries that result in more than three days of missed work or in the event of an employee's death, detailed documentation is required.

Investigation Processes

The site of the accident must be preserved in its original state until the investigation is complete. This allows for a proper evaluation of the factors that contributed to the accident. The employer must involve the injured employee (if possible), witnesses, trade unions (if present), and occupational safety representatives in the investigation. The goal of the investigation is to determine the cause of the accident and identify measures that can be taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Compensation Claims

Employers are liable for compensating employees for work-related injuries and occupational diseases. Compensation may include coverage of medical expenses, lost wages, disability benefits, and in severe cases, compensation for pain and suffering. The legal framework for workplace accident compensation is outlined in the Czech Labour Code. This code was amended in 2021 to introduce increased compensation for serious injuries and fatalities.