Occupational safety and health in Poland

A system of occupational safety and health (OSH) in Poland was first created after the First World War. Since its onset, it has been subjected to various changes related to the state's political and economic systems. Currently, two decisive processes have impact on OSH: (a) socioeconomic transformation and (b) Poland's planned accession to the European Union (EU). The former results in significant changes in statistics of occupational accidents and diseases and in social problems resulting from high unemployment. The latter manifests itself in efforts to harmonize the law and standards with those of the EU requirements. Within this framework, the National Strategic Program "Occupational Safety and Health Protection in the Working Environment" has been carried out since 1995. The goal of this program is to create an effective system of safety and health protection in the context of Poland's association with the EU. (C) 2001 National Safety Council and Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.