Employers' duty of care
In practice, the employer fulfils their responsibilities and obligations by delegating their authority in the line organisation to supervisors. The supervisors’ responsibility for occupational safety and health is determined according to the powers associated with their job description.
The employer is obligated to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety and health of employees at work. Consideration must be given to the circumstances related to the work, working conditions and other aspects of the working environment as well as the employees’ personal abilities. In addition, the employer must constantly monitor the working environment, the state of the work community and the safety of the working methods.
The employer’s responsibility at the workplace is exercised by the supervisors in accordance with the duties assigned to them. The duties must be defined in sufficient detail, taking into account the employer’s line of business, the nature of the work or activities and the size of the workplace. The employer must ensure that the supervisor has sufficient qualifications, has received adequate orientation to their duties and has the appropriate capabilities for the performance of these duties.
Occupational safety management in practice
Safety management creates the conditions for well-being and successful performance for
the work community and each individual.
- Management promotes occupational safety as a key value of the organisation and communicates this to employees.
- Management is aware of the organisation’s occupational safety and health risks.
- Management sets an example and complies with occupational safety regulations in all situations.
- The roles and responsibilities of the different parties in the prevention and management of occupational safety and health risks are clearly defined and monitored.
- The workplace has effective systems in place for monitoring and assessing occupational safety.
Occupational safety and health cooperation plays an important role in effective occupational safety activities at the workplace as it allows employees to participate in the handling of occupational safety and health issues.
A safety culture is characterised by the ability and will to act safely, prevent the realisation of hazards and promote safety. When safety is an internalised value and everyone has sufficient safety know-how, it is possible to operate safely regardless of location.
Constructive dialogue between the employer and employees creates a safety culture where the relationship between the employer and the employees is based on cooperation, trust and joint problem solving.
Division of occupational safety and health responsibilities
When the responsibilities included in the duties and powers of supervisors are clearly defined at the workplace, dangerous situations caused by unclear duties are avoided. Occupational safety and health responsibilities should be recorded in the occupational safety and health action plan. The three-tier division of responsibilities in the line organisation can be divided as follows, for example:
Senior management
- General management and supervision of occupational safety and health activities
- Maintenance, development and improvement of occupational safety and health
- Securing of resources
- Organisation of supervisory activities, selection and training of supervisors
- Determination of the powers and responsibilities of individuals
- Reporting and monitoring system
Middle management
- General supervision of occupational safety activities
- Preparation of adequate safety instructions
- Procurement of tools
- Arranging the maintenance of machinery, equipment and other tools
- Informing senior management and making the necessary proposals to senior management
Supervisors
- Instruction, guidance and orientation of employees
- Review of employees’ obligations
- Monitoring of working methods and working environment
- Planning of work and tasks
- Maintaining adequate order and cleanliness
- Reporting observed shortcomings
The role of occupational safety and health personnel
A role in occupational safety and health cooperation is a cooperation, expert and development role. The election or appointment of a person to the role does not increase their legal responsibility for the safety and health of the working conditions but their opportunities to act on these important issues. Responsibility is always divided in accordance with the line organisation