A quality racking installation is more than torqued bolts and perfectly aligned uprights. It is everything around the work — worker notifications, permits, documents for foreign authorities. Things that stay invisible until an inspection walks onto the site. And that is exactly where you see who works at 100% and who works at 110%.
This is a story from a project in Slovenia, where the police arrived on day two and checked the documents of all three companies on site. Only one crew kept working — ours.
Three Companies on One Site
On a project in Slovenia, we were installing mobile racking. The customer had brought several companies onto the site at once — besides our installation crew, an external electrical contractor hired by the customer was working there, plus another crew installing the rails.
That alone was a challenge: too many people in a small space, everyone competing for room. But this is what we are used to. Several contractors sharing one floor is the reality of most European projects — we covered what proper coordination and safety should look like in our article on site safety induction for racking installation. We know how to work without getting in anyone’s way and keep the project exactly on schedule. That does not faze us.
The real test came on day two.
Day Two: The Police Arrived
Right on the second morning, the police arrived on site and demanded documents from everyone present — including the A1 certificates of our installers, the proof that they were properly registered and posted to work abroad in line with Slovenian regulations.
For many companies, this is the moment work stops. Posting workers to another EU country follows clear rules, and a missing document means an immediate problem.
What the A1 Certificate Is and Why Inspectors Ask for It
The A1 is a certificate confirming which country’s social security legislation applies to a worker, issued under Regulation (EC) No 883/2004. In plain terms: it proves the worker is properly registered and insured in their home country and that contributions are being paid according to the rules. It is issued by the social security institution of the sending country — in the Czech Republic, the Czech Social Security Administration (CSSZ) — for a specific worker and a specific posting period, ideally before departure.
Alongside the A1, work abroad is governed by the Posted Workers Directive (96/71/EC, revised by Directive 2018/957). It adds further obligations: notify the host-country authorities about posted workers in advance, guarantee local working conditions, and keep the documents available directly on site.
Site inspections are routine, not an exception. Slovenia, Germany, Austria and France all check foreign workers regularly — and fines for a missing A1 or an omitted notification typically run to thousands of euros per worker, and higher in some countries. For a crew of several installers, a single inspection can easily mean penalties in the tens of thousands of euros. Plus a stopped site.
What Made the Difference
We had everything prepared in advance. Without any delay, we presented the inspectors with complete documentation and a valid A1 for every one of our people. The police nodded it through and we kept working as if nothing had happened.
No searching, no phone calls asking “where do we keep that”, no downtime. It had all been ready long before anyone knocked.
How the Others Fared
The other two crews on site were not so fortunate. They had to suspend work and were fined. Their part of the project came to a halt — and with it, the knock-on work for the customer.
Same site, same inspection, same rules: two crews standing idle and paying fines, one working on. That one was JTB.
Why We Do It: 110% Even in the Paperwork
This is exactly what separates us from the competition. It is not just about knowing how to install racking. It is about having everything around it in order before anyone starts asking — because the average crew underestimates the administration and pays for it at the worst possible moment.
We apply the same principle to qualifications: our installers arrive on site with valid IPAF and TÜV SCC certifications, so they pass not only a document check but also the customer’s safety audit. We do everything at 110%. Including the things nobody sees until the police arrive.
| Situation | Average crew | JTB |
|---|---|---|
| Several companies on one site | Gets in the way, slows the project | Works without blocking anyone |
| Document and A1 check | Paperwork incomplete, work stops | Everything produced on site, no downtime |
| Outcome of the inspection | Fine and suspended work | Keeps working without restrictions |
The Takeaway
You recognise a reliable installation partner not only by the work on site, but also by how well they handle the posted-worker administration. An inspection can come at any time — and what decides the outcome is who prepared in advance. Ask your contractor about A1 certificates and worker notifications before you sign the contract. It is a simple test that separates professionals from the average.
FAQ
What is the A1 certificate and why does it matter for installation work abroad?
The A1 is a certificate of coverage under a social security system, issued under Regulation (EC) No 883/2004. When workers are posted to another EU country, it proves they are properly registered and insured according to the rules. Without a valid A1, an inspection means an immediate work stoppage and fines. JTB has this documentation prepared in advance for every project abroad.
Who issues the A1 certificate?
In the Czech Republic, the A1 is issued by the Czech Social Security Administration (CSSZ) at the employer’s request; in other EU member states, by the equivalent social security institution. It is issued for a specific worker and a specific posting period — which is why the application must be filed before work begins, not when the inspectors are already standing on site.
What fines apply for a missing A1?
It depends on the country. Fines for a missing A1 or an unreported posting typically run to thousands of euros per worker — for a crew of several installers, the total penalty easily exceeds tens of thousands of euros. On top of that comes an immediate work stoppage until the company produces the documents. For the customer, a halted site is often a worse consequence than the fine itself.
How does JTB make sure an inspection doesn’t delay the project?
We handle all the documentation — worker notifications, A1 certificates, permits — before the installation starts, not on site. When an inspection comes, we present everything on the spot and continue working with zero downtime. For the customer, that means the deadline holds even while others stand still.
JTB STORAGE — racking installation across 16 European countries, with complete posted-worker documentation for every project. Need a racking installation? Contact us for a free tailored quote.