Ensuring a safe and healthy workplace is a fundamental requirement for businesses operating in Jordan. The country has established a legal framework aimed at protecting employees from occupational hazards and promoting well-being in various industries. Compliance with these regulations is not only a legal obligation but also crucial for fostering a productive and stable work environment.
Understanding and adhering to Jordan's health and safety standards is essential for companies to operate smoothly, avoid penalties, and demonstrate a commitment to their workforce. This involves navigating specific laws, implementing required practices, and establishing clear protocols for managing risks and incidents.
Health and Safety Laws and Regulatory Framework
Workplace health and safety in Jordan is primarily governed by the Labor Law, alongside specific regulations and instructions issued by the Ministry of Labour. These legal instruments set out the general duties of employers and employees, define minimum safety standards, and establish the basis for enforcement. The Ministry of Labour is the main governmental body responsible for overseeing and enforcing these regulations, often through its labor inspectorate.
Key aspects covered by the legal framework include:
- General duty to provide a safe working environment.
- Requirements for specific industries or types of work (e.g., construction, manufacturing).
- Provisions related to working hours, rest periods, and leave, which indirectly impact health and safety.
- Rules concerning the employment of women and young persons, including restrictions on hazardous work.
- Requirements for medical examinations for certain types of work.
While the Labor Law provides the foundation, specific instructions and ministerial decisions often detail technical requirements, permissible exposure limits, and procedural matters.
Occupational Health and Safety Standards and Practices
Jordanian regulations require employers to implement practical measures to ensure workplace safety. This includes identifying potential hazards, assessing risks, and implementing control measures to eliminate or minimize those risks.
Risk Assessments: Employers are typically required to conduct regular risk assessments to identify hazards specific to their workplace and activities. This process involves evaluating the likelihood and severity of potential harm and determining appropriate preventive and protective measures. Documentation of these assessments is often necessary.
Safety Committees: For workplaces exceeding a certain number of employees (often specified in regulations, commonly around 20 or more), the formation of a joint employer-employee safety committee is mandatory. These committees play a crucial role in:
- Identifying hazards and proposing solutions.
- Reviewing accident reports and investigating incidents.
- Promoting safety awareness among employees.
- Monitoring the implementation of safety policies and procedures.
Training Requirements: Employers are obligated to provide adequate health and safety training to their employees. This training should cover:
- General workplace safety rules and procedures.
- Specific hazards related to the employee's job role and work environment.
- Safe use of machinery, equipment, and personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Emergency procedures (e.g., fire evacuation, first aid).
- Training should be provided upon hiring, when job tasks change, and periodically thereafter.
Documentation Obligations: Maintaining proper records is a key requirement. This includes documentation related to:
- Risk assessments.
- Safety policies and procedures.
- Safety committee meetings and activities.
- Employee training records.
- Accident reports and investigations.
- Maintenance records for safety-critical equipment.
Workplace Inspection Processes and Requirements
The Ministry of Labour's inspectorate is authorized to conduct inspections of workplaces to ensure compliance with health and safety regulations. Inspectors have the right to enter workplaces, examine records, interview employees and management, and investigate conditions.
During an inspection, inspectors typically check for:
- Adherence to general safety standards (e.g., housekeeping, fire safety, electrical safety).
- Availability and proper use of PPE.
- Condition and safety of machinery and equipment.
- Implementation of control measures identified in risk assessments.
- Availability of required documentation (policies, training records, accident reports).
- Functioning of safety committees (if applicable).
- Compliance with specific industry regulations.
If non-compliance is found, inspectors can issue warnings, improvement notices requiring corrective actions within a specified timeframe, or even closure orders in cases of imminent danger. Penalties, including fines, may also be imposed for violations.
Workplace Accident Protocols and Reporting
Employers must have clear procedures in place for responding to workplace accidents and incidents. This includes providing immediate first aid and medical attention, securing the accident scene, and investigating the cause.
Reporting workplace accidents to the Ministry of Labour is a mandatory requirement, particularly for serious injuries, fatalities, or incidents with the potential for serious harm. The specific thresholds and procedures for reporting are outlined in regulations.
| Event Type | Reporting Requirement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Fatalities | Immediate notification, followed by written report. | Report details of the incident, cause, and involved parties. |
| Serious Injuries | Notification within a specified timeframe (e.g., 24 hours), followed by written report. | Definition of "serious injury" is typically provided in regulations. |
| Incidents with potential for serious harm (Near Misses) | May require internal investigation; reporting to authorities depends on severity and specific regulations. | Good practice to investigate and document to prevent recurrence. |
The written report typically requires information about the injured person, the time and location of the accident, a description of how it occurred, the nature of the injury, and details of any witnesses. An internal investigation should follow to identify root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent similar incidents.
Employer and Employee Responsibilities for Workplace Safety
Workplace safety is a shared responsibility, with specific duties assigned to both employers and employees under Jordanian law.
Employer Responsibilities:
- Provide a safe and healthy working environment, free from recognized hazards.
- Implement safety policies and procedures.
- Provide necessary safety equipment and PPE and ensure its proper use and maintenance.
- Conduct risk assessments and implement control measures.
- Provide adequate safety training to all employees.
- Ensure machinery and equipment are safe and properly maintained.
- Establish emergency procedures and ensure employees are aware of them.
- Investigate accidents and implement corrective actions.
- Maintain required health and safety documentation.
- Establish and support a safety committee (if required by employee numbers).
- Comply with instructions issued by labor inspectors.
Employee Responsibilities:
- Comply with all health and safety rules, policies, and procedures established by the employer.
- Use safety equipment and PPE provided by the employer correctly.
- Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions.
- Report any hazards, unsafe conditions, or defects in equipment to their supervisor or employer.
- Cooperate with the employer on health and safety matters.
- Participate in safety training provided by the employer.
By fulfilling these respective responsibilities, employers and employees contribute to creating a culture of safety that protects everyone in the workplace.
