Ensuring a safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental requirement for businesses operating in Greece. The country's legal framework places significant emphasis on protecting employees from occupational hazards, aligning with European Union directives to create workplaces that minimize risks and promote well-being. Compliance with these regulations is not only a legal obligation but also crucial for fostering a productive and positive work culture.
Navigating the specifics of Greek health and safety requirements can be complex, involving various laws, standards, and administrative procedures. Employers must understand their duties regarding risk assessment, prevention measures, training, and documentation, while employees also have responsibilities to contribute to a safe workplace. Adhering to these requirements is essential for avoiding penalties, reducing accidents, and demonstrating a commitment to employee welfare.
Health and Safety Laws and Regulatory Framework
The primary legal basis for occupational health and safety in Greece is established through laws that transpose European Union directives into national legislation. These laws set out the general principles concerning the prevention of occupational risks, the protection of safety and health, the elimination of risk and accident factors, the provision of information, consultation, participation, and training of workers and their representatives.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is the main governmental body responsible for occupational health and safety policy. Enforcement is primarily carried out by the Labour Inspectorate (SEPE - Body of Labour Inspectors), which is authorized to conduct inspections, investigate accidents, and impose penalties for non-compliance.
Key aspects of the regulatory framework include:
- General Duty: Employers have a general duty to ensure the safety and health of workers in every aspect related to the work.
- Prevention Principle: Emphasis is placed on preventing risks at their source and adapting work to the individual, especially regarding the design of workplaces, the choice of equipment, and working methods.
- Risk Assessment: A mandatory requirement for all employers, regardless of company size.
- Worker Consultation: Employers must consult with workers and their representatives on health and safety matters.
Occupational Health and Safety Standards and Practices
Compliance with Greek OHS law requires implementing specific standards and practices within the workplace. These go beyond general legal duties and involve concrete actions to identify, evaluate, and control risks.
Risk Assessment
A cornerstone of OHS management in Greece is the written risk assessment. This document must systematically identify potential hazards in the workplace, evaluate the level of risk associated with each hazard, and determine the necessary preventive and protective measures. The assessment should consider all aspects of the work, including work processes, equipment, substances used, and the organization of work. It must be updated regularly, especially when there are significant changes in the workplace or after an accident.
Training Requirements
Employers are obligated to provide adequate and specific training to employees on health and safety. This training should cover:
- Risks specific to their job and workplace.
- Preventive measures and safe working procedures.
- Use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Emergency procedures.
Training must be provided upon recruitment, when transferred or changing jobs, when new work equipment is introduced, or when new technology is implemented. It should be adapted to the specific needs of the employees and the risks they face.
Safety Committees
Companies meeting certain employee thresholds are required to establish a Safety Committee. The composition and specific duties of the committee are defined by law, but generally, it involves representatives from both management and employees working together to improve safety conditions, participate in risk assessment, and monitor compliance.
Documentation Obligations
Employers must maintain specific documentation related to OHS, which must be available for inspection by the Labour Inspectorate. Key documents include:
- Written Risk Assessment.
- Records of OHS training provided to employees.
- Records of workplace accidents and occupational diseases.
- Documentation related to health surveillance (if applicable).
- Safety instructions and procedures.
Workplace Inspection Processes and Requirements
The Labour Inspectorate (SEPE) is responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance with OHS legislation in Greece. Inspectors have the authority to enter workplaces at any time, without prior notice, to conduct inspections.
During an inspection, SEPE inspectors may:
- Examine the workplace, equipment, and work processes.
- Review OHS documentation (risk assessment, training records, accident reports).
- Interview employers, employees, and safety representatives.
- Take samples or photographs.
- Issue warnings, improvement notices, or immediate prohibition notices if there is an imminent risk.
- Impose administrative fines for non-compliance.
Employers are required to cooperate fully with inspectors and provide access to all relevant information and areas of the workplace.
Workplace Accident Protocols and Reporting
In the event of a workplace accident or the diagnosis of an occupational disease, specific protocols must be followed. The immediate priority is to provide first aid and ensure the safety of the injured person and others. The accident scene should be secured if necessary for investigation.
Employers have a legal obligation to report workplace accidents and occupational diseases. The reporting requirements typically include:
- Immediate Notification: Serious accidents or fatalities must be reported immediately to the Labour Inspectorate and potentially other authorities (e.g., police).
- Formal Report: A detailed written report must be submitted to the Labour Inspectorate within a specified timeframe (e.g., within 24 hours for serious accidents, or within a few days for less severe but reportable accidents). The report must include details about the accident, the injured person, the circumstances, and the actions taken.
- Internal Investigation: Employers should conduct an internal investigation to determine the causes of the accident and implement corrective measures to prevent recurrence.
Maintaining an accident book or register is also a common requirement, documenting all incidents, including near misses, even if they don't result in serious injury.
Employer and Employee Responsibilities for Workplace Safety
Ensuring a safe workplace is a shared responsibility between employers and employees.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers bear the primary responsibility for OHS. Their duties include:
- Establishing and implementing an OHS management system.
- Conducting risk assessments and implementing preventive measures.
- Providing a safe working environment, safe equipment, and safe systems of work.
- Providing necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision.
- Providing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) free of charge.
- Arranging for health surveillance where risks require it.
- Consulting with employees and their representatives on OHS matters.
- Investigating accidents and implementing corrective actions.
- Maintaining required OHS documentation.
Employee Responsibilities
Employees also have duties to contribute to their own safety and the safety of others. These include:
- Taking reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions.
- Cooperating with the employer on OHS matters.
- Using machinery, equipment, substances, and other means of production correctly.
- Using PPE properly as instructed.
- Reporting immediately to the employer or safety representative any work situation they believe presents a serious and immediate danger.
- Reporting any shortcomings in the OHS arrangements.
By understanding and fulfilling these respective responsibilities, employers and employees can work together to create a safer and healthier workplace in Greece.
