Recently, many training offers have appeared on the market concerning the preparation of applications for co-financing investments improving workplace safety under the prevention programme run by ZUS. As can be read in the training descriptions, they are to be conducted by experts evaluating investment projects on behalf of the Central Institute for Labour Protection – National Research Institute and the Social Insurance Institution. Some companies additionally offer to prepare applications, naturally for a fee.
The Social Insurance Institution advises caution when using such forms of assistance related to preparing applications for co-financing investments in workplace safety. CIOP-PIB experts evaluating applications are obliged to remain impartial and may not participate in such commercial training.
Due to the nature of the funding, which concerns specific workplaces, preparing an application requires a thorough on-site assessment of working conditions at the applicant’s premises. This cannot be carried out during training sessions attended by groups of participants from different industries.
Free assistance and consultations concerning the “Co-financing Programme”, including explanations regarding the documents that must be submitted, are offered by specialists from the Social Insurance Institution.
– Anyone who has any problems completing an application for co-financing or has any questions about it can always contact ZUS specialists and ask for an explanation. The Institution does not reject documents because they contain errors. We clarify all discrepancies by contacting the client so that the application as a whole is correct – explains Małgorzata Nietopiel, director of the ZUS Prevention and Rehabilitation Department.
The programme for co-financing investments improving workplace safety is addressed to all entrepreneurs who are contribution payers, with particular emphasis on micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. The available co-financing ranges from 20 to 90 percent of the total project cost. Under the programme, applicants can receive up to PLN 500,000. All information about the programme, together with the application form, can be found on www.zus.pl, under “Recommended”.
Wojciech Andrusiewicz, ZUS press spokesperson