HSE urges Polish construction workers to report unsafe sites

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is urging Polish construction workers to get in touch if they feel their health and safety is at risk in the workplace.

Polish construction workers account for around 2% of the total workforce in Britain - making them the largest single group of migrant workers.

Speaking at the Polish Embassy today, Stephen Williams, chief inspector of construction, said: “My message to Polish and other migrant construction workers in Britain is the if conditions are poor where you work, and your health and safety is at risk as a result, you should have no fear in contacting HSE to report it.”

“HSE is not here to check on workers’ legal or employment status and we do not pass any information about individuals on to other agencies.  We just care about the health and safety of workers, and all workers, including those from abroad, should receive protection from the risks of their workplace.”

Robert Rusiecki, Embassy 1st Counsellor to the Polish Embassy said: "Migrant workers have a positive reputation in Great Britain (GB) and are providing an important source of labour. However it is easy for them to be exploited on British construction sites as they often have a limited knowledge of this country’s health and safety system and many have never even heard of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). I welcome this HSE initiative aiming to improve Polish migrant workers working conditions.”