Workplace safety is a critical aspect of doing business in Latvia. Latvian legislation prioritizes the health and well-being of employees, establishing a framework of regulations and standards that employers must adhere to. Understanding these requirements is essential for creating a safe and compliant work environment. This guide provides an overview of the key health and safety requirements in Latvia for 2025, covering legal frameworks, standards, inspection processes, accident protocols, and the responsibilities of both employers and employees.
Health and Safety Laws and Regulatory Framework
The primary law governing occupational health and safety in Latvia is the Law on Labour Protection. This law sets out the general principles and requirements for ensuring a safe and healthy working environment. Several regulations and standards supplement this law, providing detailed guidance on specific hazards and industries.
Key regulations include:
- Cabinet Regulation No. 558: Labour Protection Requirements when Performing Work Related to Risk of Chemical Exposure
- Cabinet Regulation No. 749: Procedures for Medical Examinations of Employees
- Cabinet Regulation No. 309: Labour Protection Requirements in Agriculture
- Cabinet Regulation No. 360: Labour Protection Requirements in Forestry
These regulations cover a wide range of workplace hazards, including chemical exposure, noise, vibration, and ergonomic risks. They also specify requirements for personal protective equipment (PPE), risk assessments, and training.
Occupational Health and Safety Standards and Practices
Latvia follows European Union (EU) directives on occupational health and safety, which are transposed into national legislation. Employers are required to implement a systematic approach to managing health and safety risks, including:
- Risk Assessment: Conducting thorough risk assessments to identify potential hazards and implement appropriate control measures.
- Preventive Measures: Implementing preventive measures to eliminate or minimize risks, such as engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE.
- Training: Providing employees with adequate training on health and safety procedures, hazard awareness, and the safe use of equipment.
- Health Surveillance: Providing health surveillance for employees exposed to specific hazards, such as noise, vibration, or chemicals.
- Emergency Preparedness: Developing and implementing emergency plans to respond to accidents, fires, and other emergencies.
Workplace Inspection Processes and Requirements
The State Labour Inspectorate (SLI) is responsible for enforcing occupational health and safety laws in Latvia. The SLI conducts inspections of workplaces to ensure compliance with regulations and standards. Inspections may be routine or triggered by complaints or accidents.
During an inspection, the SLI may:
- Review health and safety documentation, such as risk assessments, training records, and accident reports.
- Inspect the workplace to identify hazards and assess compliance with regulations.
- Interview employees to gather information about working conditions and safety practices.
- Issue orders to employers to correct violations of health and safety laws.
- Impose fines for non-compliance.
Workplace Accident Protocols and Reporting
Employers are required to report all workplace accidents to the SLI. The reporting requirements vary depending on the severity of the accident.
| Accident Type | Reporting Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Fatal accident | Immediately |
| Serious accident (resulting in severe injury) | Within 24 hours |
| Other accidents (resulting in minor injury) | Within 3 working days |
The accident report must include details about the accident, such as the date, time, location, and cause of the accident, as well as information about the injured employee and any witnesses. Employers are also required to investigate accidents to identify the root causes and implement corrective actions to prevent similar accidents from occurring in the future.
Employer and Employee Responsibilities for Workplace Safety
Both employers and employees have responsibilities for ensuring workplace safety in Latvia.
Employer Responsibilities:
- Provide a safe and healthy working environment.
- Conduct risk assessments and implement control measures.
- Provide employees with adequate training and information.
- Provide appropriate PPE.
- Report workplace accidents to the SLI.
- Establish a safety committee if the company employs more than 20 employees.
Employee Responsibilities:
- Follow health and safety procedures.
- Use PPE properly.
- Report hazards and accidents to the employer.
- Participate in training programs.
- Cooperate with the employer to improve workplace safety.
Safety Committees
Companies with more than 20 employees are required to establish a safety committee. The safety committee is responsible for promoting health and safety in the workplace, advising the employer on health and safety matters, and investigating accidents and near misses.
Risk Assessments
Risk assessments are a fundamental requirement of Latvian health and safety legislation. Employers must conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential hazards in the workplace and implement appropriate control measures to eliminate or minimize those risks. Risk assessments should be documented and regularly reviewed and updated.
Training Requirements
Employers are required to provide employees with adequate training on health and safety procedures, hazard awareness, and the safe use of equipment. Training should be tailored to the specific hazards and risks of the workplace and should be provided to all employees, including new hires and temporary workers.
Documentation Obligations
Employers are required to maintain a variety of health and safety documentation, including:
- Risk assessments
- Training records
- Accident reports
- Health surveillance records
- Safety committee meeting minutes
- Emergency plans
This documentation must be kept up-to-date and made available to the SLI upon request.
