EU labour inspectors are key to making occupational safety and health a reality

Labour inspectorates through systems of sanctions and standardised measures are meant to support compliance with occupational safety and health requirements in the European Union. These systems involve on-site inspections by labour inspectors for monitoring and enforcing national laws as well as strategies related to preventing accidents and ill health in the workplace. Different approaches and implementations of such systems can be found across European countries.

A tailored response to violations can play a significant role in supporting compliance. This is usually proportional, ranging from recommendations to administrative fines and prosecutions. A standardised workplace safety measure could be considered to facilitate decision-making. Efforts are intended to create safe and healthy working environments to the benefit of all, with a zero tolerance of violations.

Read the discussion paper Supporting compliance of occupational safety and health requirements – European labour inspection systems of sanctions and standardised measures

Find the OSHWiki article The Role of Sanctions in European Labour Inspection Policy and Practice

Check out our thematic section Improving compliance with OSH regulations