The Occupational Safety and Health Department at the Finnish Supervisory Agency acts as the national occupational safety and health authority. The Occupational Safety and Health Department is an independent authority steered by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health’s Department for Work and Gender Equality. The occupational safety and health authority carries out inspections on its own initiative and at the request of customers (employees and employers).

Ministry of Social Affairs and Health’s Department for Work and Gender Equality

The Department for Work and Gender Equality steers occupational safety and health enforcement and administration, prepares and develops occupational safety and health legislation, occupational safety and health policy and occupational health care, and manages international cooperation in these areas. The department also prepares and develops the Government’s gender equality policy, gender equality legislation and gender mainstreaming.

Occupational Safety and Health Department at the Finnish Supervisory Agency

The Occupational Safety and Health Department is responsible for customer-initiated and authority-initiated occupational safety and health enforcement as well as for advice and guidance in the field of occupational safety and health legislation. The department investigates the causes of serious occupational accidents, occupational diseases and work-related diseases and takes action to prevent them. The Occupational Safety and Health Department also participates in the investigation of employment offences and carries out product control.

The key objective is to promote and maintain employees’ work ability and functional capacity and to prevent work-related health hazards and risks. Enforcement also ensures that workplace rules are observed.