Do B2B contractors and subcontractors need to be trained in health and safety? Facts, responsibilities and practice

Legal status and obligations

The Labour Code and health and safety regulations stipulate that the obligation to provide training applies to employees hired on the basis of an employment relationship (Article 237³ of the Labour Code and the Regulation of the Minister of Economy and Labour on health and safety training).

Technically speaking, contractors and persons providing B2B services are not subject to the same set of obligations as full-time employees.

However, in practice, companies often delegate contractors or subcontractors to work in their facilities, entrusting them with machinery or offices. In such cases, despite the civil law form of cooperation, there is a responsibility for the working conditions and safety of these persons.

Why may health and safety training be necessary even for contractors/B2B?

Safety in the workplace: if a contractor works in your company and uses your infrastructure, machinery or space, the lack of health and safety training increases the risk of accidents and legal liability.

Civil and criminal liability: in the event of an accident, the supervisory authorities may consider that you have allowed an untrained person to work, even if they were not your employee.

Good practice and image:

training all persons present in the work environment builds a culture of safety and a professional image for the company.

How to do it correctly?

1. onduct general and job-specific training tailored to the work environment.
2. Document training – signatures, reports, certificates.
3. Include contractors and B2B partners in the company's safety procedures (instructions, regulations, emergency procedures).
4. If possible, include them in the e-learning system or guided self-study.

Legal basis:

• Labour Code, Art. 207 §2 and 3 – the employer is responsible for safety in the place where work is organised.
• Regulation on health and safety training (§ 2(1)) – the obligation applies to employees, but if contractors work in the company environment, training becomes a recommended practice.
• Regulation on work with display screen equipment – specifies the requirements for computer workstations, which can also be used as guidelines for contractors.

Conclusion

Although the regulations do not formally require health and safety training for contractors and B2B personnel, in practice – especially when they perform work in your space or on your equipment – training is not only reasonable but also necessary from the point of view of safety, responsibility and protection of the company's interests.