Go to content
Front page
The Centre for Occupational Safety

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.

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

Middle management

Supervisors

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