Occupational health and safety (безбедност и здравје при работа) is one of the most common inspection topics — and one businesses most often overlook until an inspector arrives. Under the Law on Occupational Health and Safety, every employer, regardless of size, must take defined measures to protect workers. This guide sets out the core obligations.
The written safety statement and risk assessment
The cornerstone is a written safety statement (Изјава за безбедност) that includes a risk assessment for each workplace. It identifies the hazards of each job and the measures that control them. It is not a one-off document: you must update it whenever technology, premises or workplaces change, or after an injury or incident. An out-of-date safety statement is treated as non-compliance.
Safety specialist and occupational medicine
You must have a safety-at-work specialist — either an appointed internal person or an authorized external firm — and give them full information about your size, activity, risks and any hazardous substances. For the health side, you engage an authorized occupational-medicine institution to carry out the expert health tasks, including workers' pre-employment and periodic health checks matched to the risks of their jobs.
Training and information
Every worker must receive safety training (theoretical and practical) on hiring, on transfer to a new job, and when new technology or work processes are introduced. Workers must also get written instructions and information about the risks of their specific workplace, and you must consult them — or their elected safety representative(s) — and let them take part in safety matters.
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Emergencies, first aid and equipment
You must have measures and a plan for evacuation and rescue in emergencies, organise first aid (trained people and a first-aid kit), and put fire-protection measures in place under the relevant rules. Work equipment must be kept in safe working order through periodic checks and testing, and only equipment that is tested for safe operation — with guards that are not removed — may be used.
