An employer shall ensure the conformity with occupational health and safety requirements in every work-related situation. If duties are performed by way of temporary agency work, the user undertaking shall guarantee the conformity with occupational health and safety requirements in the user undertaking.
In Estonia, the Labour Inspectorate monitors the implementation of legislation regulating occupational health and safety. The Labour Inspectorate plans, coordinates, and carries out state supervision of compliance with occupational health, safety, and employment relations legislation in the working environment. In addition, the Labour Inspectorate investigates fatal accidents at work and, where appropriate, cases of occupational diseases and other workplace accidents, and supervises the investigation of accidents at work and the implementation of measures to prevent occupational accidents and occupational diseases.
Notifying the Labour Inspectorate
An employer must promptly report an occupational accident that has caused a life-threatening condition or a fatal occupational accident to the Labour Inspectorate and a fatal accident also to the police. A doctor must promptly report a fatal occupational accident and an occupational accident resulting in temporary incapacity for work to the Labour Inspectorate in writing or in a format which can be reproduced in writing by submitting a filled notification form. The Labour Inspectorate will forward the report to the employer without delay via the work environment database or in a format which can be reproduced in writing.
In the case of obviously severe injury (e.g. open fracture, extensive wounds, amputations) or a fatal accident at work, the Labour Inspectorate must be notified immediately of the following:
- employee’s given name and surname, contact telephone number;
- the place, date, and time of the accident at work;
- a brief description of the event;
- the name and address of the employer;
- the name, position, and telephone number of the person who notified the Labour Inspectorate.
Fatal accidents at work must also be reported to the police.
If an occupational accident results in death or a life-threatening condition (usually a situation where an ambulance is called), the employer must immediately notify the Labour Inspectorate (tel. +372 6406000) and, in the event of a fatal occupational accident, the employer must notify the police by telephone, providing the following information:
- the full name of the employee; contact telephone number;
- the place, date and time of the occupational accident;
- a brief description of the incident;
- the name and address of the employer;
- the first name, surname, title and contact telephone number of the person submitting the notification.
The employer must submit the above information to the Labour Inspectorate as soon as possible via the self-service portal.
In the event of a serious injury or fatal accident at work, a written notice must be submitted to the Labour Inspectorate at the following e-mail address: [email protected] as soon as possible.
The Labour Inspectorate shall be informed of the appointment of a working environment specialist and of the selection of a working environment representative through the self-service environment TEIS of the Labour Inspectorate or by e-mail to [email protected].
A building contractor must submit a standard-format prior notice to the Labour Inspectorate at least 3 days before the start of construction work if:
- the estimated duration of the works exceeds 30 working days and at least 20 persons are employed on the construction site at the same time;
- the estimated workload exceeds 500 man-days.
Prior to the commencement of construction works on a common construction site, the main contractor shall provide prior notice.
Internal audit
The employer is obliged to carry out systematic internal control of the working environment in the company, during which they plan, organise, and monitor the occupational health and safety situation in the company.
Staff training and instruction
An employer who does not have the necessary specialist knowledge and skills and knowledge regarding occupational health and safety must not be allowed to work by the employer. It is the employer’s responsibility to familiarise the employee with the occupational health and safety requirements and to monitor compliance with them. The employee must be instructed on the basis of a written safety instruction prepared by the employer.
More detailed information about workplace training an instruction is available in the Tööelu (Working Life) portal.
Appropriate occupational safety and health instruction and training appropriate to the workplace and occupation must be provided prior to commencement or change of job.
Working environment risk assessment
The employer is required to perform a risk assessment of the working environment, during which:
- the hazards in the working environment are identified;
- if necessary, their parameters are measured;
- risks to the health and safety of the employee are assessed.
The following must be taken into account:
- age and gender characteristics of the employee;
- special risks for disabled employees, minors, pregnant employees, and breastfeeding employees;
- risks related to the use of workplaces and work equipment and work organisation.
The risk assessment may be conducted by the employer or their representative, or it may be purchased from a competent service provider. The results of the risk assessment shall be recorded in writing and kept for 55 years. Employees must be informed of the hazards, the results of the risk assessment of the working environment, and the measures to be taken to prevent damage to their health.
More information on risk assessments and hazards of the working environment can be found in the Tööelu portal.
Medical examination
In general, all employees will have to undergo medical examination at the expense of the employer and during working hours. An employer has to organise the medical examination of an employee within four months as of the time the employee commences work. In addition, an employer must organise the medical examination of an employee at the interval set by the occupational health doctor but at least once every three years and, in case of an employee who is a minor, at least once a year.
The employer must organise health checks an employee prior to the commencement of exposure to biological hazards, carcinogens, mutagens, lead and its compounds and asbestos dust and before working at night work.
More information on medical examination can be found in the Tööelu portal.
First aid
When arranging first aid, the employer must carefully consider all the necessary steps, as a person's life and future health can depend on timely and skillful first aid. Your company must have at least one trained first aid provider taking into account the number of employees, the frequency of occurrence of damage to health, and the regional division and the nature of activities of the enterprise. The employer must provide them with training at their own expense. In the case of multiple territorially separated units or shifts within a company, at least one first-aid worker must be present at each unit or shift.
The workplace must be equipped with first aid equipment, which must be kept in a properly marked and easily accessible place. First aid supplies must be provided in an easily accessible location.
More information on first aid can be found in the Tööelu portal.
Working environment specialist
Every company must have a person who serves in the capacity of working environment specialist. In the absence of a competent employee, the employer must use a competent external service provider. The employer can fulfill the duties of a work environment specialist if he / she has the knowledge and skills in the field of work environment.
Working environment specialist is competent in the occupational health and safety field and has been authorized by the employer to perform occupational health and safety duties. This person must be familiar with the legal acts governing occupational health and safety and the company’s work conditions, monitor and review them, and adopt measures for lessening the impact of hazards in the working environment.
If you have selected a working environment specialist for your company, you must notify the local office of the Labour Inspectorate within ten days. The written notice must list the given name and surname, position and contact information for this person.
Working environment representative
The working environment representative is selected by the employees of your company and his or her main role is to represent the employees in issues related to occupational health and safety. Working environment representative´s term of office shall not exceed four years. In companies with ten or more employees, employees choose one working environment representative. In a company consisting of several territorially separated units or of shifts and employing more than 10 persons at a time, the units or shifts shall elect one working environment representative for each unit or shift.
The employer shall organize a general meeting of employees for the election of working environment representatives, in which all employees may participate either directly or through a person authorized in writing. Within ten days of the election, the employer shall notify the working environment representatives.
Working environment council
A working environment council must be formed if 150 or more people work for your company. This is an internal association where occupational health and safety related issues are resolved. Workers' representatives shall be elected at the general meeting of employees in a manner similar to that of working environment representatives. Employer and employee representatives are members of the council in equal part. A local agency of the Labour Inspectorate must be notified of the formation of the supervisory board within ten business days.
Limitations on employing minors
When concluding the employment contract, the employer must be convinced that the minor is capable of performing the chosen work tasks and that the work does not jeopardize their health.
Further information on employing a minor can be found in the article „Minors and working“.
Working environment counselling services for free
The Labor Inspectorate offers companies working environment counselling services for free. Working environment counsellor advises employers on health and safety at work. A counsellor can be called for both general corporate consultation covering the entire working environment and documentation, as well as consulting in a specific area of the working environment (eg the use of personal protective equipment). Counselling is free of charge for companies.
If you would like to invite a working environment counsellor to your company, send an email to the labor inspectorate at [email protected].
Reporting on offences related to the work environment and employment relations
It is possible to provide the Labour Inspectorate with a warning about various infringements. Warnings about offences related to the work environment and employment relations can be provided:
- by phone: +372 640 6000 on working days from 9 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.;
- by email: [email protected].
When communicating a warning, it is necessary to describe the circumstances, time and place of the offence and, if possible, provide details of the persons and the undertakings. A warning can be provided anonymously. If possible, give your contact details so that the details of the warning can be clarified if necessary. The personal details of the person providing a warning will not be disclosed to third parties. The Labour Inspectorate does not provide any feedback on the proceedings of warnings and their results. The Labour Inspectorate forwards the information that does not fall within their jurisdiction to the appropriate party.
Related articles
- Occupational disease
- Provision of occupational hygiene, ergonomics and psychology services
- Registration of employees
- Occupational accident