In Croatia, the fundamental principles and responsibilities surrounding health and safety are outlined in the Occupational Health and Safety Act. This legislation is available in the Official Gazette ("Narodne Novine"), no. 71/14, 134/14, 123/17, 59/19, 91/19, 52/21.

Employer Responsibilities

Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers have extensive obligations. These include conducting thorough risk assessments to identify and mitigate potential hazards in the workplace, providing and maintaining safe workplaces, implementing safe procedures and work practices, and providing workers with clear information about workplace hazards. Employers are also required to provide suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when necessary, free of charge to workers, with instructions on its use. They must ensure appropriate health monitoring for workers exposed to specific risks and engage in meaningful consultation with workers and/or their representatives on health and safety matters.

Employee Rights and Responsibilities

Employees in Croatia have the right to refuse work if they believe there's a serious and imminent risk to their safety or health. They also have the right to be consulted and participate in health and safety decision-making, access information on workplace hazards and safety measures, and receive necessary training on workplace safety procedures. Employees are also responsible for following safe work practices and procedures, collaborating in health and safety initiatives, wearing and using provided PPE appropriately, and informing employers of potential risks or incidents.

Key Regulatory Bodies

The Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy is the overall administrative body responsible for health and safety in Croatia, with collaboration from the Ministry of Health. The State Inspectorate is the central government authority for inspections, including Labor inspection, which enforces health and safety regulations. The Croatian Institute of Public Health is a public health body with an Occupational Health Department. The Croatia Health Insurance Fund finances health protection and safety at work.

Additional Considerations

Employers must adopt measures to prevent work-related stress. There are also sector-specific regulations for areas like construction, hazardous substances, etc.

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is a crucial aspect of any workplace, and in Croatia, it's governed by the Occupational Health and Safety Act. This legislation emphasizes a prevention-first approach, where proactive risk assessment and the implementation of preventive measures are prioritized to minimize workplace hazards.

Key Principles of OHS in Croatia

Croatian OHS law places the primary responsibility for ensuring a safe and healthy work environment on employers. This includes conducting risk assessments, providing training, implementing safety measures, and maintaining records. Additionally, employees have the right to be informed about workplace hazards, receive training, and actively participate in OHS decision-making through representatives.

OHS Requirements for Employers

The Occupational Health and Safety Act mandates specific requirements for employers. These include systematic risk assessment of work activities, which involves identifying hazards, evaluating the risks posed by those hazards, and implementing control measures to eliminate or minimize risks.

Employers are also required to provide appropriate safety training to all workers. This training should cover general safety and health information, job-specific safety training, training on handling hazardous substances and equipment, and emergency procedures.

In situations where hazards cannot be completely eliminated, employers must provide and ensure the use of suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Furthermore, employers are required to engage occupational health services to conduct health surveillance of workers exposed to specific risks, advise on workplace health and well-being, and provide first aid and emergency response.

Rights of Workers

Croatian OHS law grants workers several important rights. These include the right to be informed about workplace hazards and associated risks, the right to refuse dangerous work tasks if they have a reasonable belief of imminent danger, and the right to participate in OHS matters through safety representatives or committees.

Workplace inspections in Croatia play a crucial role in ensuring worker health and safety. These inspections are designed to proactively identify and address potential hazards, fostering compliance with safety standards.

Agencies Involved

The State Inspectorate (Državni inspektorat) is the primary government body overseeing workplace safety in Croatia. They are responsible for conducting inspections and enforcing compliance. The Ministry of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy is also involved, developing and implementing occupational safety and health policies and strategies.

Inspection Criteria

Workplace inspections in Croatia thoroughly examine a wide range of factors. These include the physical work environment, chemical hazards, biological hazards, fire safety and emergency preparedness, ergonomics, psychosocial hazards, personal protective equipment (PPE), and the employer's documented risk assessments and implementation of control measures.

Inspection Frequency

The frequency of workplace inspections in Croatia depends on the assessed risk level of the industry and specific workplace. Factors considered include the type of activities, accident history, and the presence of vulnerable populations such as young workers, pregnant workers, or those with disabilities.

Inspection Procedures

Inspection procedures may include an opening conference, a walkthrough inspection, a documentation review, a closing conference, and the issuance of an official report. Employers may or may not receive advance notice, depending on the nature of the inspection.

Follow-up Actions

Following an inspection, the employer is legally obligated to rectify identified violations within the timeframe stipulated by the inspector. Failure to comply can result in fines and, in severe cases, temporary or permanent closure of the workplace. The inspector may also revisit the workplace to verify the implementation of corrective measures.

In Croatia, employers are legally obligated to report workplace accidents that result in injuries or illnesses. Serious injuries or illnesses must be reported to the relevant labor inspectorate immediately, as must fatal accidents. The reporting method typically involves a formal document submitted to the labor inspectorate, and the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance (HZZO) may also need to be notified.

Investigation of Workplace Accidents

The primary responsibility for investigating workplace accidents in Croatia lies with the labor inspectorate (Inspektorat rada). The purpose of the investigation is to determine the root cause(s) of the accident, identify any violations of occupational safety and health regulations, and propose corrective measures to prevent similar events in the future. The labor inspectorate will gather evidence, which may include witness statements, analysis of work equipment, review of safety procedures, and medical records in case of injury.

Compensation for Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

Croatia operates a mandatory health and pension insurance system that provides benefits to workers who have suffered workplace injuries or occupational illnesses. Compensation may include temporary incapacity benefits, which is wage replacement if a worker is temporarily unable to work due to the injury or illness. Disability benefits are paid in case of a permanent reduction in work capacity due to the injury or illness. Survivor benefits are paid to dependents in case of a fatal workplace accident. Claims for compensation are typically filed with the Croatian Institute for Health Insurance (HZZO).