A report on the implementation of workplace legislation, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offers suggestions for reorganising legal regulations and for special measures to help companies to comply with the law.

The outline of a research project by the Federal Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (FIOSH)on the implementation of workplace legislation examines the Workplace bill 2004 workplace directives, and other occupational health and safety regulations, focusing on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

General problems concerning implementation of the law identified in the report are:

• oversights in the complex design of safe and healthy workplaces;
• overlapping regulations;
• lack of transparency with regard to the regulatory content for workplaces;
• lack of specific practical tools to assist in protecting workers according to the legal requirements;
• insufficient awareness and competence with respect to implementing the workplace legislation;
• major shortcomings in the planning and set-up phases.

Interviews were carried out with occupational safety experts, and with representatives of the state occupational safety and health authorities, of accidents insurance funds, and of other experienced bodies. They reported:

• widespread ignorance of workplace law in the set-up and adjustment phase;
• lack of willingness to integrate health and safety measures;
• potential further risks and subsequent financial costs due to inadequate integration of health and safety measures;
• lack of continuous training and regulatory activities.
  

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Source: Dublin Foundation