Employers have a duty to monitor their employees’ work environment and identify and analyse any risks associated with their work, take whatever action is necessary to address weaknesses, and follow up on the impact of the measures on the safety of work and the health of their employees. Further action must be taken where necessary. It is also the employer’s duty to familiarise employees with their workplace and the correct procedures as well as safety instructions.

The responsibilities of the employer are more extensive if employees in an employment relationship with different employers or independent contractors work simultaneously or consecutively at a common workplace.

Employees need to follow their employer’s orders and safety instructions. They must also ensure their own and their colleagues’ safety while working and report any issues relating to safety to their manager and occupational safety and health representative.

Factoring occupational safety and health into work plans and workspace design

Other individuals, such as designers of the machinery and equipment that employees use to perform their work, also have responsibilities relating to occupational safety and health, as safety needs to be taken into account from the very beginning of work planning and workspace design. The most important decisions concerning the work environment are often made at the planning stage.

If the employer fails to comply with their occupational safety and health obligations, the occupational safety and health authorities have the responsibility to report any violations that are punishable by the occupational safety and health legislation to the police.