Ensuring a safe and healthy working environment is a fundamental aspect of operating in the Faroe Islands. The archipelago places significant importance on protecting employees from workplace hazards and promoting well-being across all sectors. Adhering to local health and safety regulations is not only a legal requirement but also crucial for fostering a productive and sustainable workforce.
Employers operating in the Faroe Islands are responsible for understanding and implementing the necessary measures to comply with the established framework for occupational health and safety. This involves navigating specific laws, standards, and procedures designed to prevent accidents, manage risks, and respond effectively to incidents.
Health and Safety Laws and Regulatory Framework
The primary legislation governing health and safety in the workplace in the Faroe Islands is the Working Environment Act (Arbeiðsumhvørvislógin). This act sets out the general duties of employers and employees regarding the working environment and provides the basis for more specific regulations and standards. The Ministry of Employment (Arbeiðsmarknaðarmálaráðið) is typically the responsible authority, often through relevant agencies or inspectorates.
The framework is designed to be comprehensive, covering various aspects of the working environment, including physical, psychological, and social factors. It mandates that workplaces must be designed and maintained in a way that minimizes risks to health and safety.
Occupational Health and Safety Standards and Practices
Compliance with the Working Environment Act requires employers to implement specific standards and practices within their operations. These include proactive measures to identify, assess, and control risks, as well as establishing structures for ongoing safety management.
Safety Committees
For workplaces meeting certain size thresholds (typically above a specified number of employees), the establishment of a safety committee (trygdarnevnd) is mandatory. This committee comprises representatives from both management and employees and is responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring health and safety activities within the company.
Risk Assessments
Employers are required to conduct systematic risk assessments (váðameting) to identify potential hazards in the workplace. This process involves evaluating the likelihood and severity of risks and determining appropriate control measures to eliminate or reduce them to an acceptable level. Risk assessments should be documented and reviewed regularly, especially after changes in work processes, equipment, or the work environment.
Training Requirements
Providing adequate training and instruction to employees is a key obligation. Training must cover the specific risks associated with their work, safe working procedures, the use of protective equipment, and emergency protocols. New employees, employees changing roles, or those introduced to new equipment or processes must receive specific training relevant to their tasks.
Documentation Obligations
Maintaining proper documentation is essential for demonstrating compliance. This includes records of risk assessments, safety procedures, training records, maintenance logs for equipment, and records of workplace accidents and incidents. These documents must be accessible and kept up-to-date.
Workplace Inspection Processes and Requirements
Workplaces in the Faroe Islands are subject to inspection by the relevant authorities to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation. Inspectors have the authority to access workplaces, examine documents, interview personnel, and issue orders for improvements or cessation of dangerous activities.
Inspections may be routine, prompted by complaints, or follow a workplace accident. Employers must cooperate fully with inspectors and implement any required corrective actions within specified timeframes. Failure to comply with inspection orders can result in penalties.
Workplace Accident Protocols and Reporting
Employers must have clear protocols in place for responding to workplace accidents and incidents. This includes procedures for providing first aid, securing the accident scene, and investigating the cause of the incident to prevent recurrence.
Certain types of workplace accidents, particularly those resulting in serious injury, fatality, or significant damage, must be reported to the relevant authorities. The reporting process typically involves submitting a detailed report outlining the circumstances of the accident, the injuries sustained, and the steps taken following the incident.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| Immediate Action | Provide first aid, ensure safety of others, secure the area. |
| Investigation | Determine the cause, gather information (witnesses, photos, etc.). |
| Reporting (if required) | Notify the relevant authority within the specified timeframe for serious incidents. |
| Documentation | Record details of the accident, investigation findings, and actions taken. |
| Preventive Measures | Implement corrective actions to prevent similar incidents in the future. |
Employer and Employee Responsibilities for Workplace Safety
Both employers and employees share responsibility for maintaining a safe working environment, although the primary duty rests with the employer.
Employer Responsibilities:
- Ensure the workplace is safe and healthy.
- Identify and assess risks.
- Implement control measures to eliminate or reduce risks.
- Provide necessary information, instruction, training, and supervision.
- Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Establish safety procedures and emergency plans.
- Investigate accidents and incidents.
- Cooperate with authorities.
Employee Responsibilities:
- Follow safety instructions and procedures.
- Use equipment and PPE correctly.
- Report hazards, accidents, and near misses to the employer.
- Cooperate with the employer on safety matters.
- Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and that of others affected by their actions.
