They define qualifications in the sphere of operating and maintaining equipment (e.g. cranes and mobile platforms). They are standardised by Office of Technical Inspection(UDT) on the basis of the Technical Supervision Act of 21 December 2000.  

They will enable us to acquire the certification needed to practice professions such as: 

  • crane operator, crane operator and crane maintenance worker; 
  • operator and serviceman of mechanical lift trucks. 

What equipment is subject to UDT? 

Mobile platforms

A detailed list can be found in the Decree of the Council of Ministers of 7.12.2012. 

Key equipment requiring technical supervision: 

  1. Machinery for moving loads or people with limited reach: 
  • Cranes; 
  • Overhead cranes; 
  • Winches and hoists; 
  • Stackers; 
  • Levers; 
  • Freight lifts; 
  • Mobile platforms; 
  • Ship lifts; 
  • Facilities for people with disabilities; 
  • Stairs and moving walkways; 
  • Mechanical lift trucks; 
  1. Pressure equipment: 
  • Steam boilers; 
  • Pressure cookers; 
  • Liquid boilers with a capacity greater than 2 dm3; 
  • Liquefied gas tanks; 
  • Tankers; 
  • Pipelines; 
  1. Loading machinery, 
  1. Line railways, 
  1. Stackers. 

What obligations does the DTU have?  

Controls the competence on the basis of the Act of 21.12.2000 on technical supervision and the Ordinance of the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Technology of 21 May 2019 on the manner and procedure for verifying the qualifications required for the operation and maintenance of technical devices and the manner and procedure for extending the period of validity of qualification certificates. 

Where does it recognise qualifications? 

As can be read in the Regulation of the Prime Minister of 9 December 2008 on the assignment of activities with ISIC or NICE codes to the Polish Classification of Activities, resulting from Annex IV to Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications, in the field of: 

  • manufacturing: lifting equipment, grippers, radiators and central heating boilers; 
  • metal structures and their parts, pipes, tubes, hollow sections and fittings in steel; 
  • forging, pressing, stamping and rolling of metals. 

What is the procedure like in practice? 

Learning to drive a forklift truck

The procedure begins with the submission of an application for recognition of qualifications - the template can be found in the Regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education of 16 November 2016 on professional qualifications to practice a regulated profession or to undertake or carry out regulated activities in the Republic of Poland. The application should be submitted in Polish. The fee is 35% of the minimum wage.  

Important message for those going abroad

As of 1 January 2021, qualifications obtained in the UK are no longer EU qualifications. Which means that from 2021 they will not be recognised elsewhere. Certificates issued in Poland are valid within the territory of the Republic of Poland, as well as within the European Union, the Swiss Confederation and the member states of the European Free Trade Agreement, Directive 2005/36/EC of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications applies. Outside Poland, the national regulations of the country concerned apply, so it is advisable to seek detailed advice from the contact points.