Introduction
National strategies are vital policy instruments to enhance the effectiveness of an OSH system by defining the key priorities and actions for improving workers’ health and safety.
The Commission called on the Member States to update and draw up their national OSH strategies in line with the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027 - in cooperation with social partners - to ensure that the new measures are applied on the ground.
In Poland, the Ministry of Family and Social Policy (Ministerstwo Rodziny i Polityki Społecznej), formerly the Ministry of Labour and Social Policy is the main body that initiates, develops and coordinates the state policy on OSH. Since the 1990’s the OSH policy has been progressively reformulated to comply with the European Union legislation and standards. In 1994 the Council of Ministers adopted the national strategic programme entitled “Safety and Protection of Employee in the Workplace".
More information on the various OSH systems can be found in the relevant OSHwiki articles on national OSH systems.
Basic Information on the national OSH strategy
In 2022, the Council of Ministers adopted the National Programme „Improvement of safety and working conditions” – phase III (2014-2016), phase IV (2017-2019), phase V (2020-2022) continued as phase VI, which is to be implemented in the years 2023-2025. It is a continuation of programs from previous years and will increase the level of occupational health and safety in Poland. (Program Wieloletni „Poprawa bezpieczeństwa i warunków pracy” - III etap (2014-2016), IV etap (2017-2019), V etap (2020-2022), VI etap (2023-2025). Its implementation is supervised by the Ministry of Family and Social Policy and is coordinated by the Central Institute for Labour Protection National Research Institute.
Since 2008, the Programme has fulfilled the role of a national strategy for creating proper working conditions that protect the life and health of workers. All documents and for more information see the website of the Central Institute for Labour Protection – National Research Institute CIOP-PIB.
Background and the perceived problem
Scientific and technological progress as well as demographic changes result in the emergence of new risk factors for occupational health and safety. It is important to adapt preventive measures to the pace of these changes in order to ensure appropriate and safe working conditions. Taking measures to reduce risks in the working environment should improve the overall safety and working conditions. The multi-annual Programme "Improvement of safety and working conditions" may prove helpful.
Following phases of the Programme have been enacted:
- Phase I - Resolution No. 117/2007 of the Council of Ministers of July 3, 2007, to be implemented in 2008-2010,
- Phase II - Resolution No. 154/2010 of the Council of Ministers of September 21, 2010, to be implemented in 2011-2013,
- Phase III - Resolution No. 126/2013 of the Council of Ministers of July 16, 2013, to be implemented in 2014-2016,
- Phase IV - by Resolution No. 203/2015 of the Council of Ministers of October 26, 2015, to be implemented in 2017-2019,
- Phase V - by Resolution No. 80/2019 of the Council of Ministers of August 13, 2019, to be implemented in 2020-2022[1].
Phase VI – by Resolution No 193/2022 of the Council of Ministers of 20 September 2022, to be implemented in 2023-2025.Phase VII (Resolution No. 124/2025 of the Council of Ministers of 24 September 2025) is the next stage of the “National Programme for the Improvement of Safety and Working Conditions”[2]. The thematic scope of phase VII of the national Programme conforms to the current trends of scientific research and development contained in both international and national documentation relating to projects and national policies in this area. The Ministry of Family and Social Policy publishes the Programme phase VII with the related material (in Polish)[3],[4],[5].
Main characteristics and objectives of the OSH strategy (activity plan)
The main objective of the Programme is to develop innovative solutions to increase occupational safety and improve the well-being of employees. These solutions will help to reduce the number of accidents at work and occupational diseases, taking into account the development of technologies and changes in the labour market. The Programme includes solutions designed to be implemented in socio-economic practice, the use of which will support the construction of a safety culture and the reduction of economic and social losses resulting from accidents at work and occupational diseases.
In phase VII of the Programme, it will be particularly important to carry out research to develop new technologies and human and social resources, necessary to meet the current socio-economic challenges such as digital transformation of the economy, demographic changes, increasing social exclusion and threats related to crisis situations including epidemics.
Details of the strategy and activity plan
Phase VII takes the priorities, requirements and scientific challenges included in the following European documents into consideration:
- EU strategic framework on health and safety at work 2021-2027: Occupational safety and health in a changing world of work.
- European Pillar of Social Rights[6]
- Communication From The Commission To The European Parliament, The Council, The European Economic And Social Committee And The Committee Of The Regions - A Strong Social Europe for Just Transitions[7]
- The European Green Deal[8]
- White paper on artificial intelligence[9]
- Report on the safety and liability implications of Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things and robotics[10]
- Directive (EU) 2024/2831 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2024 on improving working conditions in platform work[11]
- 2030 Digital Compass: the European way for the Digital Decade
- Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 June 2024 laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence
- OECD responsible Business guideline[12]
Specific objectives
The main objective of the Programme will be achieved through actions aimed at the following specific objectives:
- Development of organizational and technical solutions supporting the creation of healthy and safe working conditions.
- Develop new and improve the protective properties and ergonomics of existing personal and collective protection products.
- Support for the adaptation and implementation of EU legislation.
- Support to maintain the ability to work for various groups of employees.
- Building a safety culture and raising the level of knowledge in the field of occupational safety.
Structure of the Programme
The thematic scope of Phase VII of the Programme is divided into two parts:
Part A – Tasks related to the services of the state, and
Part B – Research and development projects
Part A. Tasks related to the services of the state
The tasks will be carried out within 6 thematic groups:
Group 1: Organisational and technical solutions
Group 2: Personal and collective protection measures
Group 3: National and EU legislation
Group 4: Organisation of work for various groups and employees
Group 5: Knowledge and safety culture
Group 6: Dissemination of occupational safety issues, including the implementation of the results of national Programmes
Part B. Research and development tasks
The projects will be implemented within the framework of 5 research areas:
Area 1: Organisational and technical solutions responding to the challenges for occupational safety
Area 2: Personal and collective protection measures
Area 3: National and EU legislation
Area 4: Organisation of work for various groups of employees
Area 5: Knowledge and Safety Culture
Thematic scope of the Programme
The following projects, among others, will be carried out as part of the 7th phase of the Programme:
- the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning and XR technology in occupational safety,
- systems for monitoring the working environment and the exposure of workers to harmful working conditions,
- ergonomics of remote work,
- modern personal and collective protection measures,
- impact of climate change on working conditions,
- chemical, biological and electromagnetic hazards,
- organisation of work for older workers and people with disabilities,
- support for sound perception and communication for people with hearing loss,
- development of an occupational health and safety culture, improving the knowledge of occupational health and safety.
The implementation of the Programme will contribute to:
- improve the health and safety of employees,
- reduce workplace accidents and occupational diseases,
- increase the quality of work and employee well-being,
- expand the scope of professional activities,
- increase the effectiveness of preventive measures in companies,
- develop modern methods for monitoring the work environment,
- develop a national system for assessing the conformity of products and services,
- support the implementation of new technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), Extended Reality (XR), and Industry 5.0 solutions,
- promote education and a culture of occupational safety.
The broad dissemination of its results and their implementation into socio-economic practice, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises, is crucial to achieve the objectives of the Programme.
Further related activities should only be complementary and performed in parallel on three levels:
- Central – coordinated by the respective ministries in accordance with their scope of activities. Actions carried out at this level will support the measures aimed at improving working conditions in economic sectors that are highly important for national development, as well as in sectors with a particularly high risk of accidents. Dissemination among diverse stakeholders, including SME stakeholders will be carried out.
- Social – conducted in cooperation with social partners and key Polish labour protection institutions. These activities will focus on the development of a safe conduct attitude as well as the education of selected groups of employers and employees, particularly from high-risk sectors, as well as training for specialist staff.
- Local – conducted at companies and aimed at selected groups of stakeholders. The activities will focus on the implementation of the Programme results as a solution for reducing occupational risk or adapting working conditions to workers’ specific requirements, e.g. as a result of their age or disability.
Actors and stakeholders
The Programme of Phase VII will be implemented by the Central Institute of Labour Protection – National Research Institute in cooperation with research and research units and social and economic partners.
- Fire University
- System Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences
- Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine
- Institute of Rural Medicine
- Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology in Warsaw
- Warsaw University of Technology – Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Institute of Theory of Electrical Engineering, Measurement and Information Systems
- Scientific and Academic Computer Network – National Research Institute
The main contractor and programme coordinator is the Central Institute for Labour Protection – National Research Institute /CIOP-PIB/
Moreover, various stakeholders, such as government bodies, manufacturers, industry associations, social security institutions and social partners, were not only consulted on the thematic areas of the Programme, but were also able to propose topics for the tasks and research projects.
Resources and time frame
The current National OSH Programme of Poland „Improvement of safety and working conditions” – phase VII" covers the period from 2026 to 2028.
The Programme will be financed from the state budget 2026-2028 in the total amount of PLN 160 million over a period of 3 years, including
- for tasks in the field of state services - PLN 105 million
- for scientific research and development works - PLN 55 million
The funds are available:
- regarding part A from the Minister of Labour (Part 31 of the State Budget); and
- regarding part B from the Minister responsible for higher education and science (part 28 of the state budget)
The expenditure on the implementation of the 7th stage of the Programme is described in detail in the Framework schedule for the implementation of the long-term programme entitled Government Programme for the Improvement of Safety and Working Conditions - stage VII, implementation period: years 2026-2028[13].
Evaluation/lessons learned
The Programme is monitored and evaluated by the Coordination Board composed of representatives of ministries and other public bodies, organisations of employers and employees, representatives of institutions interested in implementing the results of the Programme as well as scientific experts. The Coordination Board meets once a year in order to monitor the progress and evaluate the outcomes of tasks related to the services of the state and research projects. The Coordination Board can suggest some modifications, however without altering the main objective of the Programme. The results of the Programme will be used and disseminated systematically within the five years following the completion of the Programme. The results will contribute to a significant reduction in occupational risk related to exposure to harmful, dangerous and difficult workplace factors. It will affect the possibility of a longer, healthy working life, also for people with disabilities. Improved health and safety will also result in a reduction of costs relating to occupational hazards that are incurred by the state and society. The evaluation report is published by the Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute CIOP[14].
Indicators for the years 2026 -2028
Product indicators (outputs) are described in the multi-year Programme GOVERNMENT IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMME SAFETY AND WORKING CONDITIONS, Stage VII - Implementation period: 2026-2028[15]. They will be used to monitor the implementation of projects and programme tasks.
Following group of products are listed:
A. Products for adapting the law to the requirements of EU directives and harmonised standards, and resulting from the development of knowledge
B. Products for assessing the compliance of work environment parameters and products with legal requirements
C. Organisational solutions supporting the improvement of safety and working conditions
D. Technical solutions supporting the improvement of safety and working conditions
E. Products for building safety culture and increasing the level of knowledge
F. Results and activities aimed at disseminating occupational safety issues, including implementing the results of national Programmes into practice
A summary of the estimated number of products in each group of products and an action to disseminate the results of the Programme are presented in the above-mentioned Programme.
Expected effects of the Programme:
- Reducing the number of people exposed to risks factors at work.
- Reducing the number of accidents at work.
- Reducing the number of new cases of occupational diseases.
- Reducing sickness absence (in particular due to occupational diseases and accidents at work) - number of days and costs.
- Extending work capacity
The Programme will have an impact on the labour market in the following aspects:
- extending the period of professional activity,
- reducing the number of occupational accidents and occupational diseases,
- increasing employee awareness in the field of occupational health and safety,
- increasing safety culture.
Relationship to the EU Strategic Framework
The Programme is in line with European Strategic Framework as it includes tasks and research projects aimed at developing solutions to reduce the emission of harmful chemical, physical and biological agents, to improve working conditions in terms of new forms of employment, and to extend the length of working life by adapting jobs and work processes to the changing capabilities of workers with age, and to promote health in the workplace more effectively, but also to create and widely disseminate innovative solutions in the field of health and safety at work, aimed at improving the quality of education in this area.
Due to the broad approach, there are relations to the three key objectives of the European Strategic Framework as there are actions related to ergonomics, psychosocial risks and mental health, demographic change, dangerous substances, in the context of the green and digital transitions.
Key objective 1 of the EU Strategic Framework (Anticipating and managing change) is covered for example by tasks related to the services of the state group 2, 4, 13, 28, 29 and 30, and for example by research and development tasks in group 1 to 4, 32, 33 and 35.
Key objective 2 of the EU Strategic Framework (Improving prevention of work-related diseases and accidents) is covered for example by tasks related to the services of the state group 15, 20, 31. 36, 43 and 45 and by research and development tasks in group 9, 21, 31, 36 and 37.
Key objective 3 of the EU Strategic Framework (Increasing preparedness – responding rapidly to threats) is covered for example by tasks related to the services of the state group 1, 8, 9, 34 and 46 and by research and development tasks in group 10.
