Ensuring a safe and healthy workplace is a fundamental aspect of business operations in Russia. The country has a comprehensive legal framework designed to protect employees from occupational hazards and promote well-being in the workplace. Compliance with these regulations is not only a legal obligation but also crucial for maintaining productivity, employee morale, and avoiding potential penalties.
Navigating the specifics of Russian health and safety requirements can be complex, involving various laws, standards, and procedural mandates. Employers operating within Russia must understand their duties regarding risk assessment, training, inspections, and accident management to create a secure working environment for their personnel.
Health and Safety Laws and Regulatory Framework
Workplace health and safety in Russia is primarily governed by the Labour Code of the Russian Federation, specifically Section X, which outlines the general principles and requirements for occupational safety and health (OSH). This code is supplemented by numerous federal laws, government decrees, and regulatory acts issued by relevant ministries and agencies, such as the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and the Federal Service for Labour and Employment (Rostrud).
The regulatory framework is dynamic, with updates and amendments occurring periodically to align with international standards and address evolving workplace challenges. Key elements include requirements for OSH management systems, special assessment of working conditions (SAWC), provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), medical examinations, and training.
Occupational Health and Safety Standards and Practices
Russian OSH standards mandate a proactive approach to identifying, evaluating, and controlling workplace risks. Employers are required to implement specific practices to ensure compliance and employee safety.
Risk Assessment (Special Assessment of Working Conditions - SAWC)
A cornerstone of Russian OSH is the Special Assessment of Working Conditions (SAWC), which replaced the previous workplace certification system. SAWC involves identifying harmful and hazardous production factors, evaluating their impact on employees, and determining appropriate measures to eliminate or reduce risks. This assessment must be conducted by accredited organizations and is mandatory for all workplaces. The results determine additional guarantees and compensation for employees working in hazardous conditions, such as reduced working hours, additional leave, and increased pay.
Safety Committees
Organizations with more than 10 employees are encouraged to establish a joint committee (commission) on occupational safety and health. This committee comprises representatives from both the employer and the employees (often nominated by the trade union, if one exists). The committee's role is consultative, focusing on:
- Developing OSH improvement programs.
- Organizing OSH checks and assessments.
- Analyzing workplace conditions and accident causes.
- Informing employees about OSH requirements.
Training Requirements
Comprehensive OSH training is mandatory for all employees, including managers and specialists. The type and frequency of training depend on the employee's role and the hazards associated with their work. Key types of training include:
- Introductory Training: For all new hires.
- Primary Training: At the workplace, for new employees and those changing roles.
- Repeated Training: Periodic training (usually at least every six months) to reinforce knowledge.
- Unscheduled Training: Conducted when new equipment or technologies are introduced, regulations change, or after accidents/incidents.
- Targeted Training: For specific tasks or events.
Training programs must cover relevant OSH instructions, safe work methods, and the use of PPE. Knowledge is typically assessed through testing.
Documentation Obligations
Employers must maintain extensive documentation related to OSH, including:
- OSH instructions for various professions and types of work.
- Records of OSH training and knowledge testing.
- SAWC reports and action plans.
- Records of medical examinations.
- PPE issuance records.
- Accident investigation reports.
- Orders and protocols related to OSH activities (e.g., establishment of OSH committee, appointment of responsible persons).
Workplace Inspection Processes and Requirements
Workplace inspections in Russia are primarily carried out by the Federal Service for Labour and Employment (Rostrud) and its regional branches. Inspections can be scheduled (planned) or unscheduled.
- Planned Inspections: Conducted according to an annual plan published by Rostrud, based on a risk-oriented approach.
- Unscheduled Inspections: Triggered by employee complaints, workplace accidents, or verification of corrective actions following previous inspections.
During an inspection, inspectors verify compliance with labour laws and OSH requirements. This includes reviewing documentation, inspecting workplaces, interviewing employees, and checking the implementation of previous orders. Employers must provide inspectors with access to premises and requested documents. Non-compliance can result in administrative fines for both the organization and its officials, as well as orders to rectify violations.
Workplace Accident Protocols and Reporting
In the event of a workplace accident, Russian law mandates specific protocols for investigation and reporting.
- Immediate Actions: The employer must immediately organize first aid, and if necessary, transport the injured person to a medical facility. The employer must also take urgent measures to prevent the development of an emergency situation or the impact of traumatic factors on other persons.
- Preserving the Scene: The employer must preserve the situation at the accident scene as it was at the time of the incident, if it does not threaten the life and health of others and does not lead to a catastrophe, accident, or other emergency circumstances. If preservation is impossible, the situation must be documented (photographed, video recorded, diagrams drawn).
- Informing Authorities and Relatives: The employer must inform the relevant authorities (e.g., Rostrud, social insurance fund, trade union) and the victim's relatives within a specified timeframe, depending on the severity of the accident (group accident, severe injury, fatal).
- Investigation: An investigation commission is formed (composition depends on accident severity) to determine the circumstances, causes, and those responsible for the accident. The investigation must be completed within a set period (e.g., 3 days for a minor accident, 15 days for a severe or fatal accident).
- Reporting: Based on the investigation results, an accident report (Act H-1 for individual accidents, Act 4 for group accidents) is compiled. Copies are provided to the victim (or their representatives), relevant authorities, and stored by the employer.
Employer and Employee Responsibilities for Workplace Safety
Both employers and employees have distinct responsibilities for ensuring a safe working environment.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers bear the primary responsibility for OSH. Their duties include:
- Ensuring safe working conditions and equipment.
- Implementing an OSH management system.
- Conducting SAWC.
- Providing employees with necessary PPE, collective protection means, and sanitary facilities.
- Organizing mandatory preliminary and periodic medical examinations.
- Providing OSH training and instruction.
- Investigating and reporting workplace accidents and occupational diseases.
- Developing and approving OSH instructions and rules.
- Ensuring compliance with state regulatory requirements.
Employee Responsibilities
Employees are also required to contribute to workplace safety. Their responsibilities include:
- Complying with OSH requirements and rules established by the employer.
- Properly using production equipment, tools, and PPE.
- Undergoing OSH training, instruction, and knowledge testing.
- Undergoing mandatory medical examinations.
- Immediately notifying their supervisor of any situation that threatens the life and health of people, or of any accident or deterioration of their health.
- Participating in the investigation of workplace accidents.
