The institution implementing a number of activities related to public health in Poland is the State Sanitary Inspection, also known as the „Sanepid”. It reports directly to the Minister of Health. The scope of duties of the State Sanitary Inspection includes, above all, supervision over various aspects related to public health.

At the beginning, it is worth checking what is the scope of responsibility of the State Sanitary Inspection (PIS). It controls, among other things, above:

• occupational hygiene in workplaces;
• environmental hygiene;
• radiation hygiene;
• hygiene of rest and recreation;
• hygiene of teaching and upbringing processes.

In addition, he supervises the hygienic and sanitary conditions in healthcare facilities and the health conditions of food, nutrition and cosmetic products. PIS is headed by the Chief Sanitary Inspector.

Employees of the State Sanitary Inspection have a number of powers. Among them there are e.g. the ability to carry out inspections of the compliance of emerging construction facilities with applicable regulations. In addition, the State Sanitary Inspector has the right to enter:

• workplaces;
• real estate under construction;
• public facilities;
• commercial facilities;
• allotment gardens and other real estate;
• means of transport and related facilities.

All this to check their hygiene and verify it with the applicable law. At the same time, officials may request written explanations, show a number of documents and collect samples for laboratory tests on the spot.

Pursuant to the regulations, the State Sanitary Inspector has the right to enter a private house or apartment if there is a reasonable suspicion of an infectious disease or it has been confirmed. In addition, this right is also granted when there is a suspicion of a threat to the health of household members due to environmental factors or when service or production activities are carried out in the apartment. This authority may also conduct research on products placed on the market, such as, among others, foodstuffs, chemical products or cosmetics.

When a violation of hygiene and health requirements is found, the State Sanitary Inspector orders, by way of a decision, the removal of the identified violations within a fixed period. In a situation where the violation of the requirements caused a direct threat to human life or health, it orders the immobilization of the workplace or its part (workstations, machines or devices), closure of the public utility facility, exclusion from the use of the means of transport, withdrawal from the market of foodstuffs, materials and an article intended to come into contact with food, a cosmetic product or another article that may affect human health, or to take or cease other actions. Decisions in these matters are immediately enforceable.

The detailed duties and powers of the State Sanitary Inspection are regulated by the Act on the State Sanitary Inspection of March 14, 1985, as amended.

Source:https://inzynieriabhp.pl/uprawenia-panstwowa-sanitary-inspection/

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