In Armenia, the primary aim of health and safety laws is to safeguard employees at work. The foundation for these laws is laid by the Labour Code of the Republic of Armenia (2004). This code, particularly in Chapter 23, establishes the rights of employees to safe and healthy working conditions and outlines the responsibilities of employers. It also provides rules for identifying and preventing workplace hazards.

Other key legislation includes the Act on Prevention of Disease Caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, which includes provisions for safe working conditions to prevent the spread of HIV in the workplace. The Fire Safety Act addresses fire prevention and safety measures. Additionally, specific laws or technical regulations address health and safety matters relevant to particular industries or hazards.

Responsibilities of Employers

Armenian employers have several legal obligations under health and safety laws. They are required to ensure that workplaces, machinery, equipment, and work processes are safe. They must conduct risk assessments to identify hazards and implement control measures. Employers are also responsible for providing workers with safety information and training, as well as maintaining personal protective equipment (PPE) when required. Other obligations include reporting and investigating workplace accidents and illnesses, and maintaining records of accidents, illnesses, risk assessments, control measures, and safety training.

Rights of Employees

Armenian employees have several rights under health and safety laws. These include the right to work in a safe and healthy environment, to receive safety information and training, and to refuse work they believe is unsafe, without reprisal. Employees also have the right to participate in health and safety decision-making processes within their workplaces.

Regulatory Bodies

The Health and Labor Inspection Body of the Republic of Armenia is responsible for enforcing health and safety laws and regulations through inspections and investigations. They can issue improvement notices or fines for violations. The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs also plays a role in developing and implementing health and safety policies and regulations.

Specific Industries

Certain industries in Armenia may have additional health and safety laws or regulations. For instance, the mining sector has specific regulations governing worker safety and potential hazards. The construction industry has regulations addressing risks like fall hazards, electrical work, and hazardous substances.

In Armenia, several occupational hazards are prevalent in workplaces. Notably, the mining sector faces exposure to dust, hazardous chemicals, noise, vibration, and risks of collapse or explosions. The construction sector is fraught with fall hazards, electrical risks, work with heavy machinery, and exposure to hazardous substances. Meanwhile, the manufacturing sector grapples with risks related to machinery, repetitive tasks, chemical exposure, and potential fires.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

In Armenia, employers are required to provide and maintain Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for their employees where hazards cannot be fully eliminated through other means. Types of PPE may include safety helmets, gloves, eye protection, hearing protection, and respiratory protection, depending on the workplace risks.

Occupational Illness and Injury Reporting

Employers in Armenia are also obligated to report workplace accidents and work-related illnesses.

Worker Training and Information

Adequate safety training for all workers is a must. Training should cover topics like hazard recognition, safe work procedures, emergency response, and PPE use.

Challenges and Areas of Improvement

Armenia faces several hurdles in ensuring strong occupational health and safety (OHS) standards and practices. Some regulations stem from the Soviet era and require updating to align with modern OHS best practices. Limited resources and capacity can hinder consistent enforcement of OHS regulations. A significant informal sector makes OHS regulation challenging. Workers may be uninformed about their OHS rights or hesitant to raise concerns.

Ongoing Initiatives

Efforts are underway to improve Armenia's OHS framework. Proposed revisions to the Labour Code aim to strengthen OHS provisions. Initiatives seek to enhance the capacity of the labor inspectorate for more effective enforcement. International organizations like the International Labour Organization (ILO) support Armenia in aligning its OHS system with international standards.

Workplace inspections play a crucial role in maintaining a safe and healthy work environment. In Armenia, these inspections are conducted to verify compliance with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards, identify potential hazards, enforce regulations, and promote preventive measures.

Regulatory Body

The Health and Labor Inspection Body (HLIB) of the Republic of Armenia is the primary authority responsible for conducting workplace OHS inspections.

Inspection Criteria

HLIB inspections focus on various areas such as the working environment, machinery and equipment, hazardous substances, electrical safety, fire safety, personal protective equipment, employee safety training, and accident and illness reporting mechanisms.

Inspection Frequency

The frequency of inspections is determined based on the risk level of the workplace, past compliance history, and any complaints received about unsafe conditions.

Inspection Procedures

The inspection process involves planning, an opening meeting, a walkthrough inspection, document review, a closing meeting, and the issuance of an inspection report.

Follow-up Actions

Based on the inspection findings, HLIB may issue an improvement notice, impose fines, or in severe cases, order a temporary suspension of workplace activities.

Limitations

Despite its importance, Armenia's workplace inspection system faces resource constraints, which could limit the number of inspections conducted and the effectiveness of follow-up enforcement.

Workplace accidents are unfortunate events that require immediate attention and proper handling. Employers are legally obligated to notify the relevant unit of the Health and Labor Inspection Body, their superior body (if applicable), and law enforcement authorities (in cases of serious injury or death) immediately after the occurrence of a workplace accident. They must also submit a formal accident report detailing the circumstances of the accident, the injury/illness sustained, and any immediate actions taken.

Investigation Processes

Employers are responsible for conducting an internal investigation to determine the cause of the accident and identify preventive measures. The Health and Labor Inspection Body (HLIB) also conducts an investigation, especially in serious accidents or those resulting in fatalities. Their investigation aims to establish the facts of the incident, determine whether any regulations were violated, identify responsible parties, and recommend corrective actions to prevent recurrence.

Compensation Claims

Employees injured in workplace accidents or those who develop occupational diseases are entitled to compensation under Armenian law. This compensation may include coverage for medical treatment and rehabilitation related to the injury/illness, wage replacement payments during the period of temporary disability, payments for long-term or permanent disability resulting from the workplace accident/illness, and compensation to the dependents of employees who die due to a workplace accident/illness.

Claim Procedures

The procedures for filing compensation claims can vary depending on the circumstances and the severity of the injury/illness. Generally, the process involves seeking immediate medical care and documenting injuries, formally notifying the employer about the workplace accident/illness, and filing a claim with the relevant authorities. This process may involve submitting medical records, accident reports, and other supporting documentation.

Challenges

Employees may face challenges when it comes to enforcing their right to compensation. These can include limited awareness of rights, fewer protections and less access to compensation mechanisms for workers within the informal sector, and navigating the complex and time-consuming compensation claim process.