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The labor inspectors focused on the safe use of forklifts, the storage of goods, the use of personal protective equipment, the manual handling of loads, the suitability of the indoor climate and the existence and accuracy of the risk analysis of the working environment. In the course of the targeted inspections, wholesale companies in Harju, Parnu, Tartu, Valga and Voru counties were checked.

As a result of the targeted inspections, the inspectors registered a total of 95 violations and a precept was issued for 40 violations. Additionally, 63 oral recommendations were issued on how to make the work environment safer and healthier.

According to Silja Soon, head of the supervisory department of the Labor Inspectorate, the working environment of wholesale companies has significantly improved compared to the targeted inspection in 2016. At that time, 41 companies were inspected and 246 violations were recorded. "The results of this targeted inspection allow us to conclude that wholesale companies pay significantly more attention to creating a good working environment," Soon said.

She added that during the inspection, the Labor Inspectorate monitored the availability of aids for handling weights and the use of ergonomically correct work practices by staff. "There were no major problems with moving loads, but we would like to remind people that lifting heavy things incorrectly can cause serious health concerns," Soon said.

The most serious problems identified during the targeted inspection were related to the marking and condition of the forklifts' traffic routes. To a lesser extent, there were problems with the safety requirements of the forklifts. Altogether 11% of the inspected companies had problems with the storage of goods. The main problem was the risk of falling because the goods extended beyond the edge of the shelf or were placed on the shelf more than its load capacity allowed. Altogether 16% of the audited companies did not have a work environment risk analysis and nine percent of the companies did have a risk analysis, but it needed to be improved.

Last year, the largest number of occupational accidents was registered in the metal industry, trade and construction. Last year, a total of 461 occupational accidents occurred in trade enterprises, of which 368 were mild and 93 were serious. A total of 119 occupational accidents occurred in wholesale-related activities, of which 87 were minor and 32 were serious.