In Slovakia, the Act on Safety and Health at Work (Act No. 124/2006 Coll.) is the primary law governing health and safety. It outlines the principles of risk prevention, employer/employee responsibilities, and the rights of workers in ensuring safe workplaces. The National Labour Inspectorate (NLI) is the main agency responsible for enforcing these laws and regulations.

Employer Obligations

Employers have several obligations under the Act. They must identify hazards, assess risks, and implement preventive measures to mitigate and eliminate workplace risks. They are also required to provide employees with relevant training and information on hazards, risks, and safe work procedures.

When necessary, employers must provide and maintain suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at no cost to their employees. They are also responsible for ensuring safe and healthy working conditions, including aspects like lighting, ventilation, temperature, noise, and sanitation.

Employers must also have provisions for first aid, emergency plans, and evacuation procedures. They are required to accurately record and report all accidents, incidents, and occupational diseases to relevant authorities.

Employee Rights and Responsibilities

Employees have the right to refuse work if they believe they are in imminent danger. They also have the right to participate in health and safety decision-making through representation and consultation. However, they also have an obligation to follow established safe work practices and use PPE as directed.

Specific Health and Safety Topics

Employers must manage the risks associated with hazardous substances, including labeling, providing safety data sheets (SDS), and implementing appropriate control measures. They must also ensure machinery and other work equipment is safe, regularly inspected, and maintained according to regulations.

The construction sector has specific regulations for hazards such as falls from height, excavations, and electrical safety. Employers must also prevent work-related illnesses and provide medical surveillance for employees exposed to specific health risks.

Enforcement and Penalties

The NLI has the authority to inspect workplaces, investigate violations, and issue penalties for non-compliance with health and safety regulations. Penalties can include fines and, in severe cases, business closure.

Occupational health and safety (OSH) in Slovakia is governed by the Act on Safety and Health at Work (Act. No. 124/2006 Coll.) and supplemented by numerous government regulations. These regulations detail specific requirements for different hazards, industries, and workplaces. Additionally, Slovakia adopts technical standards that detail safety requirements for equipment, processes, and protective measures.

Risk Assessment

Employers in Slovakia are legally obligated to conduct comprehensive risk assessments to identify hazards and potential risks to workers in their workplaces. The risk assessment methodologies generally follow EU guidelines, involving hazard identification, risk evaluation, and determining suitable control measures.

Prevention and Control Measures

Slovakian OSH practice emphasizes the hierarchy of controls, prioritizing elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and finally, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Many hazards have tailored regulations that mandate specific control measures depending on the type of risk encountered.

Occupational Health Services

Employers are often required to arrange occupational health examinations for workers exposed to specific risks. The frequency and content of these examinations are dictated by regulations. Slovakia also has a system for recognizing and compensating occupational diseases. Employers must take preventive measures and report suspected cases.

Training and Education

Employers must provide safety training to workers, covering general OSH principles, job-specific hazards, and the use of safety equipment. Training needs are based on risk assessments and should be delivered at onboarding and at regular intervals to maintain competency.

Worker Participation

In workplaces with more than 50 employees, workers have the right to elect safety representatives to participate in OSH decision-making. Employers are legally obligated to consult employees on OSH matters and provide them with relevant information on hazards and safety measures.

Workplace inspections are a critical tool used by the National Labour Inspectorate (NLI) in Slovakia to enforce regulations. The inspections aim to verify compliance with relevant legislation, identify hazards and risks, and investigate accidents, incidents, and complaints submitted by employees.

Inspection Authority

The NLI is the primary body mandated to conduct workplace inspections. The NLI is divided into regional inspectorates that perform inspections within their specific areas of jurisdiction.

Inspection Criteria

Inspections by the NLI cover a broad range of aspects, including risk assessments, control measures, work equipment, chemicals and hazardous substances, working environment, training and instruction, and management systems.

Inspection Frequency

The frequency of inspections varies based on several factors such as risk level, accident history, and complaints. High-risk industries such as construction, manufacturing, and chemical sectors are subject to more frequent inspections. Workplaces with a history of accidents or incidents may undergo more regular scrutiny. The NLI may launch inspections in response to formal complaints lodged by employees or their representatives.

Inspection Procedures

The inspection process includes planning and preparation, an opening meeting, a site walkthrough, document review, and a closing meeting. Inspectors will review prior records, complaints, and research applicable regulations relevant to the workplace being inspected. The inspection begins with an opening discussion with company management to outline inspection aims and procedures. Inspectors systematically tour the workplace, observing operations, identifying hazards, and interviewing employees. Inspectors examine records including risk assessments, training logs, incident reports, maintenance records, etc. Upon completion, an overview of findings and potential violations is discussed with company representatives.

Follow-Up Actions

The NLI compiles a formal report detailing findings and any corrective actions needed. Where breaches are identified, improvement notices may be issued with deadlines for addressing non-compliance issues. In cases of serious or repeated violations, the NLI can impose fines. In cases of grave danger, inspectors may order the immediate cessation of work activities.

Workplace accidents are a serious matter that require immediate attention and reporting. Employers have a legal obligation to report these incidents to the relevant authorities according to specified requirements and deadlines. Serious accidents and occupational diseases must be reported immediately to the National Labour Inspectorate (NLI) and relevant regional inspectorate. Fatal accidents, on the other hand, must be reported without delay to the NLI, police, and relevant regional inspectorate.

Investigation of Workplace Accidents

Employers are obliged to investigate workplace accidents internally to determine causes, contributing factors, and to implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence. The NLI also plays a crucial role in investigating serious and fatal accidents to identify regulatory violations and, if necessary, initiate legal proceedings or impose sanctions.

Compensation for Workplace Accidents and Occupational Diseases

Slovakia operates a compulsory social insurance system providing compensation for work-related injuries and occupational diseases. This compensation covers various aspects such as medical expenses, loss of earnings, disability benefits, and death benefits.

Types of Compensation

Medical treatment and rehabilitation costs arising from a workplace accident or occupational disease are covered under the compensation. Injured workers receive benefits to compensate for income lost due to their inability to work. In cases of permanent disability, long-term disability benefits are provided. Compensation is also available to dependents in case of a worker's death from a workplace accident or occupational disease.

Claim Procedure

The claim procedure starts with the worker promptly informing their employer of an injury or an occupational disease. The employee then undergoes a medical examination to determine the nature and extent of the injury or disease. The employer, in cooperation with the employee, submits a claim to the Social Insurance Agency (Sociálna Poisťovňa). The Social Insurance Agency then adjudicates the claim and determines eligibility and compensation levels.