SÚIP Inspection and VTZ Review—How It Works, What Is Inspected, and How to Prepare
An SÚIP inspection may take place without prior notice. If the inspection documentation is missing or inspections are overdue, this may result not only in a fine but also in operational restrictions. How does the inspection work, and what should you have ready?
What Does the SÚIP Inspect?
The SÚIP oversees a wide range of areas. It addresses labor relations—including compensation, employment contracts and agreements, working hours, and attendance records. It uncovers illegal employment practices, such as the “Švarc system” or the employment of foreigners without work permits. It oversees temporary agency work and compliance with the mandatory quota for employing people with disabilities. Last but not least, it monitors occupational safety and health (OSH), which includes oversight of designated technical equipment (VTZ).
This article focuses specifically on the supervision of technical equipment – this is the field covered by our expertise. We do not discuss other areas of SÚIP inspections, including general occupational safety and health matters, here.
However, an inspection does not necessarily have to cover all of these areas at once. Inspections focused specifically on mechanical and electrical systems are typically conducted in the following situations:
● A suggestion or complaint specifically regarding VTZ – for example, a reported malfunction in electrical equipment, a gas leak, or a problem with a pressure vessel. The inspector then focuses directly on that issue.
● Emergency – Act No. 250/2021 imposes a reporting obligation on operators of designated technical equipment in the event of serious accidents caused by such equipment. This may trigger an inspection specifically targeting the equipment in question.
● Targeted Campaigns – The SÚIP may announce thematic inspection campaigns focused on a specific area, such as pressure equipment in a given industry.
In contrast, a routine scheduled inspection tends to be more comprehensive and combines technical inspections with general occupational safety and health activities (training, risk assessments) during a single visit—this is the scenario we describe in the main section of the article.
If you’re still figuring out, Who is responsible for inspections at the company? or What is the difference between a review, an inspection, an examination, and a test?, we recommend starting there—this article picks up right where that one left off.
What is the SÚIP, and what are its powers?
State Labor Inspection Office (SÚIP) It is an agency under the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs with eight regional labor inspectorates. It is governed primarily by Act No. 251/2005 Coll., on labor inspection, and, subsidiarily, by Act No. 255/2012 Coll., on inspections.
Supervision of designated technical equipment is part of the field of occupational safety and health and the SÚIP also carries it out on the basis of Act No. 250/2021 Coll., which, along with the Technical Inspection Authority of the Czech Republic (TIČR), ranks it among the agencies responsible for overseeing compliance with the obligations of VTZ operators.
How a SÚIP Inspection Unfolds, Step by Step
Announced or unannounced?
An inspection does not have to be announced in advance. In practice, for scheduled inspections, the inspected party is usually notified in advance of the start of the inspection; however, the method and timing of the notification may vary depending on the specific inspection. In contrast, inspections initiated by a complaint are almost always unannounced—these often involve the situations mentioned above, such as a reported malfunction in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
Start of the audit
The inspector shall present his or her official identification card on site and announce the start of the inspection. He or she is authorized to request documents and information related to the subject of the inspection and, if necessary, to request the original documents.
Workplace Tour
This is followed by a physical inspection of the facility—the condition of the roads, machinery, and electrical equipment, as well as storage practices. The inspector also checks whether the labels and markings on the equipment match what is specified in the documentation.
Document Review
The scope of the documentation reviewed corresponds to the focus of the inspection (see above). With regard to technical equipment, the inspector will primarily request audit reports to the relevant equipment.
Completion of the Inspection and Report
A report is prepared following the inspection, detailing the findings and any deficiencies. A written objection may be filed against the contents of the report Objections must be filed within 15 days from the date of its delivery—these challenges are directed against the finding itself, not against the penalty.
Duration of the inspection
For smaller companies, an audit typically takes one to two hours; for larger ones, it can take an entire day.
What Does the SÚIP Check During a Company Inspection?
In the area of designated technical facilities, the inspector typically focuses on:
● Validity and Completeness of Audit Reports for electrical, gas, and pressure equipment,
● Consistency of inspections with operational documentation,
● whether the inspection was performed by a person with the appropriate authorization,
● whether the company has a system in place for tracking deadlines validity of inspections,
● whether the defects were corrected identified during the previous audit.
The Most Common Mistakes Companies Make During SÚIP Inspections
● Failed electrical inspection
● Unresolved defects identified in the previous inspection report
● Employees operating HVAC systems without the necessary training or authorization
● Documentation scattered across various folders or emails, so no one in the company knows exactly where to look for it
SÚIP Inspection vs. HZS Inspection – What’s the Difference?
The SÚIP oversees occupational safety and health and technical regulations (electricity, gas, pressure). Fire safety is monitored by the state regulatory authority Fire and Rescue Service – However, the company conducts routine operational inspections of the fire protection system itself through OZO or TPO, not directly through SÚIP.
What to Have Ready for the VTZ Inspection
| Document | What’s Included | Who publishes it? |
| Inspection Report (Electrical, Gas, Pressure) | Inspection results, identified defects, and the date of the next inspection | Inspection Technician with a Valid Certificate |
| Professional Examination Report | The result of verifying whether the device functions safely | Authorized/Qualified Person by Equipment Type |
| Technical Inspection Report | Assessment of the Technical Condition of the Equipment | Qualified Professional |
Note on the scope: This overview applies only to documentation for designated technical equipment provided by INTECHI. During an occupational safety and health (OSH) inspection, the State Labor Inspection Authority (SÚIP) may also require additional documentation beyond that related to designated technical equipment (e.g., records of OSH training or workplace risk assessments)—these are handled by a separate OSH specialist.
What Are the Consequences If Deficiencies Are Found?
Fine – It is imposed in separate proceedings for an administrative offense, and the amount depends on the severity of the violation.
Prohibition or Restriction of Operations – if the operation poses an immediate threat to health or life.
A written appeal may be filed against the audit report Objections must be filed within 15 days from the date of its delivery. If the inspection results in administrative proceedings and the imposition of a fine, an appeal may be filed against decision on a fine can be filed appeal Under the Administrative Procedure Code—this is a different procedural step than objections to the minutes.
How to Prepare for a SÚIP Inspection
Most problems that arise during an audit aren’t caused by the company intentionally neglecting something—but rather because the documentation isn’t all in one place, or because no one knows exactly what the company is supposed to have on file. A few specific steps can significantly reduce this risk.
Keep track of the validity of all inspections. If you keep track of inspection deadlines only in your head or scattered throughout your emails, it’s easy to not notice overdue inspections until the inspector is standing at your door. Ideally, you should have a single overview—a spreadsheet or system—where you can see all your equipment and the current status of their inspections at a glance.
Conduct an internal audit before the scheduled inspection. It doesn’t have to be anything formal—just check to see if each piece of equipment has a valid inspection, if the deadlines have been met, and if the defects noted by the inspector last time have been fixed. Anything you find on your own, you can fix it ahead of time, before the inspector finds it.
Train your employees and keep documentation readily available.The inspector does not have to wait for the managing director—he or she may approach anyone on site and may ask for documents to be presented immediately or request the originals. If an employee doesn’t know where the audit reports are, or if you have to look something up in the archives or wait for a response from an outside firm, it may appear as a lack of cooperation, even if it’s just an organizational delay.
Do not delay in correcting any defects that are found. If an inspection technician has previously pointed out a problem and the company failed to address it, this is one of the most difficult situations to justify during an inspection—it proves that the company was aware of the problem and did nothing about it.
FAQ
What are the consequences if the SÚIP finds deficiencies?
Most often, a fine is imposed; in serious cases, a ban or restriction on operation may also be imposed. Objections to the citation may be filed within 15 days; a separate appeal may then be filed against any fine imposed.
Does the SÚIP also inspect fire safety?
No, the Fire and Rescue Service (HZS) conducts inspections of that facility as part of its regulatory oversight; routine inspections of the fire safety system’s operational readiness are carried out by the OZO or a TPO hired by the company.
Can the SÚIP conduct an inspection anonymously based on a tip?
Yes. Anyone, including an anonymous whistleblower, may file a request for an inspection, and the SÚIP generally does not disclose the complainant’s identity to the company being inspected.
Can inspectors come into rented premises?
Yes. The inspection is based on the location where the activity is carried out, not on property ownership. The operator of the heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is responsible for complying with these obligations even in leased premises, regardless of who owns the building.
How long do I have to keep audit reports on file?
The specific retention period varies depending on the type of equipment and the applicable regulations. In general, we recommend retaining inspection reports at least until the next inspection is due; for many types of equipment, we recommend retaining them for the entire duration of their operation—if in doubt, it is safer to keep older reports on hand as well.
Can the inspector shut down the facility immediately?
The Labor Inspection Act grants inspectors specific authority in cases where they identify an immediate threat to health or life, including the ability to propose or order appropriate measures. In practice, this may lead to the rapid restriction or suspension of operations at a high-risk facility—although the exact procedure depends on the specific circumstances of each case.
Can the audit begin without the managing director?
Yes, the inspector may deal with any authorized person present on site; he or she does not have to wait for the managing director.
What if the inspection just failed?
If you find that the inspection is no longer current, address the situation without undue delay. Scheduling an inspection can demonstrate that the company is actively addressing the situation, but it does not in itself constitute fulfillment of the obligation or the result of the inspection.
In conclusion
Good preparation doesn’t mean the inspection will go smoothly without any findings. It means you’ll have a clear understanding of what the company does, what obligations apply, and where to find the necessary documentation.
How does INTECHI handle this?
Our Certified Inspection Technicians will provide you with valid inspection documentation for designated technical equipment at any time directly through client portal. We do not provide occupational safety and health (OSH) training or workplace risk assessments—we recommend that you have this aspect handled by your OSH specialist, ideally in conjunction with the inspection documentation.
Contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
