The labor inspectorate won’t give you a week’s notice. They’ll ring at reception and present their ID. If just a few documents are missing at that moment, you risk an unnecessary fine. Yet preparation only takes a few days, if you know where to look.
Labor inspections are carried out by the State Labor Inspection Office (SÚIP) and regional inspectorates under Act No. 251/2005 Coll., on labor inspection. This text summarizes when and why an inspection comes, what the inspector will require from you, what the risks are, and how to prepare.
When and why an inspection comes
There are essentially three reasons. The first is a planned inspection – the inspectorate selects employers according to its own plan. You could be next, even if nothing has ever happened at your company. The second, and more common, is a complaint. This can be filed by an employee, a former employee, or even a competitor. And yes – a complaint can be anonymous. The inspectorate will still investigate it if it contains specific facts. The third trigger is a workplace accident – particularly a serious one, involving hospitalization or a fatality. In that case, the inspectorate acts not on a complaint, but out of official duty.
What the inspector wants to see
This is the core of the matter. The inspector requires documentation. It’s not just about “papers for a binder” – a missing document often means a real threat to people. Here is a proven list that practically every inspection checks:
- Risk assessment (§ 102 of the Labor Code). Not a generic template, but a description of your specific workplaces and activities.
- Job categorization (§ 37 of Act No. 258/2000 Coll. and Decree No. 432/2003 Coll.). This determines which category your positions fall into – medical examinations, for example, are based on this.
- OHS training records and syllabi (§ 103 of the Labor Code). An attendance sheet is not enough. The inspector wants to see exactly what you taught employees and how you verified their knowledge. You determine the frequency based on risks – there is no universal “once a year” rule in the law.
- Accident book and accident records (§ 105 of the Labor Code and Government Regulation No. 201/2010 Coll.). The book must be available at the workplace. If an accident occurred, you must have a completed record.
- Provision of PPE (§ 104 of the Labor Code and GR No. 390/2021 Coll.). A table showing who received which protective equipment and on what basis.
- Inspection reports for designated technical equipment. For electrical systems, Act No. 250/2021 Coll. and GR No. 190/2022 Coll. apply. Expired inspections are a perennial source of fines.
- Fire safety documentation (Act No. 133/1985 Coll.). Fire regulations, evacuation plan, fire extinguisher inspection dates.
- Proof of securing risk prevention tasks by a professionally qualified person (§ 9 of Act No. 309/2006 Coll.). Whether it’s an internal employee or an external contractor – you must document who is handling your OHS.
How an inspection proceeds step by step
The inspector will present their ID and provide an authorization for the inspection. You do not have to let them into spaces used exclusively for residential purposes, but you must allow access to operational areas. You have the right to be present during the inspection – and it is wise to exercise this right. The inspector walks through the workplace, takes photos, and questions employees. They can request documents on the spot or give you a deadline to submit them. A report is drawn up on the findings. You can file objections to the inspection findings in the report within 15 days of its delivery (Act No. 255/2012 Coll., Inspection Code). Only then can a fine be imposed in administrative proceedings.
Most common findings and the risks
In practice, errors repeat: missing risk assessments, overdue electrical inspections, training conducted formally without real content, missing accident book. For OHS offenses, the inspectorate can impose a fine of up to CZK 2,000,000 for the most serious offenses by legal entities and self-employed individuals (§ 30 of Act No. 251/2005 Coll.). Many specific documentation offenses have a lower upper limit – but fines in the tens to hundreds of thousands are still common.
And then there is another threat: the inspector can immediately prohibit the use of a machine or even order a shutdown of operations. That hurts more than a fine – halted production means a loss of revenue. And when it comes to an insurance claim, a missing or expired inspection can complicate the settlement of damages, especially if there is a connection between the condition of the equipment and the occurrence or extent of the damage.
14-day preparation: an action checklist
If you know an inspection might be coming, or you just want peace of mind, get the following in order – ideally in this sequence:
- Check the validity of inspections for electrical systems, gas, pressure vessels, and lifting equipment. Expired inspections are the most visible error. (More on the topic: electrical inspections.)
- Update the risk assessment – so it matches actual operations, not just an administrative building from 2015.
- Organize training documentation: syllabi, attendance sheets, knowledge verification. If a record is missing, schedule new training. (See the options: employee training.)
- Create or update the accident book. It must be physically present at the workplace.
- Compile fire safety documentation – fire regulations, evacuation plan, fire extinguisher inspection dates. (Context: fire safety.)
- Verify that you have a signed and current contract with a professionally qualified person for OHS.
How we help
We handle it as a complete package. We audit your documentation, find gaps, and fill in what’s missing. In Brno and nationwide. We have people who will take complete charge of OHS and fire safety. Electrical inspections are our core discipline. We conduct employee training so it’s not just a signature event. The advantage for you: one supplier, one point of contact, no shifting of responsibility between a certified electrical inspector and a safety officer. When the inspectorate comes, you have us at hand.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to let the inspector into the operational area? Yes. By law, they have access to operational and workplace areas. You do not have to let them into an apartment or house used exclusively for residential purposes.
How often is OHS training required by law? The Labor Code does not set a fixed frequency. The content, frequency, and method of knowledge verification are determined by the employer based on workplace risks (§ 103, paragraph 2 of the Labor Code). For administrative work, it tends to be less frequent than for working at heights.
What if I can’t provide documents on the spot? The inspector usually sets an additional deadline for submission. If you fail to deliver them even then, they will take stricter measures.
Is there a risk of a fine even if nothing has ever happened at our company? Yes. Documentation offenses are penalized regardless of whether an accident occurred. The inspection checks the state of compliance, not the consequence.
Can I appeal a fine? Yes, in two steps. First, you can file objections to the inspection report (within 15 days of delivery). Then, you can appeal the subsequent decision on the fine within 15 days of its delivery, according to the Administrative Procedure Code.
Sources for this article
- Labor inspection, offenses, and fines: Act No. 251/2005 Coll., on labor inspection (§ 30 – upper limits of fines)
- Risk assessment, training, accident book, PPE: § 102–105 of the Labor Code (No. 262/2006 Coll.)
- Job categorization: Act No. 258/2000 Coll. and Decree No. 432/2003 Coll.
- Professionally qualified person in risk prevention: § 9 of Act No. 309/2006 Coll.
- Designated electrical equipment and inspections: Act No. 250/2021 Coll. and GR No. 190/2022 Coll.
- Inspection procedure and objections: Act No. 255/2012 Coll., Inspection Code
Want to discuss this for a specific site? We’ll review the documentation, find gaps, and fill in what’s missing – before an inspection comes.
- OHS for companies – complete service including inspection preparation
- Non-binding inquiry
Write to info@sohe.cz or call +420 724 689 762.