The inspection report is a written description of the occupational safety and health inspection process and key observations. The Occupational Safety and Health Inspector sends the report to the employer and the occupational safety and health representative within 30 days of the inspection or when all the necessary material is available to them.

The inspection report contains information on the subject, date and location of the inspection, the persons present during the inspection and other necessary identification information. In the document, the inspector describes the key observations that they made during the inspection, the obligations they has imposed on the employer and other issued that were discussed. In addition, the inspector records any diverging perceptions on the issues in the report.

An inspection report is also prepared for inspections where no obligations are imposed on the employer, i.e. written advice, an improvement notice or temporary prohibitions.

Obligations to the employer

The inspection report gives a concrete description of the deficiency or other unlawful condition observed in working conditions and imposes an improvement notice or written advice to the employer that will help them to achieve the level required by legislation. In certain situations, the inspector may also issue a temporary prohibition, for example, in connection with a dangerous work machine. In the obligation, the inspector describes the target state and the employer decides how to achieve it.

The inspector may refer an unlawful condition to the occupational safety and health authority without issuing written advice or an improvement notice if the inspector finds that these will be unlikely to lead to the correction of the deficiency or the matter is so urgent it cannot be delayed. Processing by occupational safety and health authorities means that the Regional State Administrative Agency's Occupational Safety and Health Division will consider whether further measures are necessary.

If the offence is repeated or the harm or hazard is clearly greater than minor, the Occupational Safety and Health Division will assess whether this meets the essential elements of an offence and whether it should be reported to the police.

Improvement notice

An inspector will issue an improvement notice in a matter which the inspector observed to be non-compliant with legislation and which poses a greater than minor risk or hazard. In 2023, inspectors issued about 6,300 improvement notices.

If the employer fails to comply with the improvement notice within the deadline, it may lead to an obligating decision by the occupational safety and health authority. The occupational safety and health authority may impose a conditional fine, a notice of termination or a notice of suspension to enforce the obligation.

Written advice

The inspector can give written advice on the correction of a minor and individual deficiency when the minimum level required by legislation is not met. In 2023, inspectors issued about 45,000 pieces of written advice.

Failure to comply with written advice may result in an improvement notice or an obligating decision by the occupational safety and health authority. In this situation as well an occupational safety and health authority may impose a conditional fine, a notice of termination or a notice of suspension to enforce the obligation.

Temporary prohibition

If the Occupational Safety and Health Inspector detects an immediate risk to life or health, the inspector will issue a temporary prohibition. A prohibition can be issued, for example, for failures to protect the machinery that can cause a serious hazard or protect employees against falls. The prohibition must be complied with immediately.

The inspector will draw up a separate document on the temporary prohibition, which will be sent immediately to the workplace. At the same time, the inspector transfers the matter to the occupational safety and health authority for processing and a decision. Once the necessary corrective measures have been taken at the workplace, the prohibition will be lifted.

A total of 31 prohibitions confirmed by the occupational safety and health authorities were issued in 2023.