Occupational safety and health at workplaces

From workload management to conflict resolution, Professionals of Business and Technology helps in issues related to occupational safety.

The general principles of occupational safety are laid down in the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The Act defines the obligations of the employer and employees – as well as the basics of occupational safety and health cooperation.

The law deals with potential risk, hazard and workload factors at workplaces and measures to control them, explains Mia Weckman, Director of Legal Affairs at Professionals of Business and Technology.

– Previously, occupational safety focused on physical issues, but the mental side of occupational safety has become more and more important in recent years, she says.   

The key legal obligations for the employer relate to the identification and prevention of hazards and employee orientation. According to the law, the employer is obligated to provide sufficient orientation to its employees regarding their work, duties and working conditions and, also, to ensure that the employee has understood the instructions.

– The employer – and the supervisors acting as the employer’s representatives – are legally principally responsible for occupational safety, says Weckman. In Finland, the employer must also arrange occupational healthcare for employees.

Work together to overcome challenges

Nevertheless, it is important that employees are actively involved in developing occupational safety, too. Weckman points out that the employees have a duty to follow the orders and instructions given by the employer and to take care of their own and other employees’ safety at work. 

For members of Professionals of Business and Technology, occupational safety and health issues are often related to unseemly workload, workplace ergonomics or conflicts between co-workers/superiors.

– All work may create strain, but when the workload is deemed harmful and long-term, it is likely to result in health problems, says Weckman.

For workplaces with over 10 employees, an occupational safety representative must be elected. – It is the employer’s responsibility to inform the employees about this, adds Weckman.     

It also falls to the employer to either appoint an occupational safety manager or take care of occupational safety duties him/herself.

Text: Sami Anteroinen

Do you have questions about occupational safety & health? As a member, you can ask for help from our employment counseling!