Legislation concerning the health and safety of workers
2.2.7.Legislation concerning the health and safety of workers
A broad-based statutory framework covers health and safety at work; around 110 pieces of legislation have come into force since 1911. This legislation can be classified in five main groups:
a) legislation of an institutional nature, general content and broad field of application;
b) legislation containing provisions to protect employees exposed to toxic substances or other harmful agents;
c) legislation stipulating measures for special types of work or work in special rooms;
d) legislation containing safety regulations and regulations on the safe use of materials and machinery;
e) legislation for branches in which accidents at work are more frequent and more serious, both in Greece and in other countries.
Law 1568/85, as amended by Presidential Decree 17/96 on the harmonisation of national law with EEC Directive 89/391 is a fundamental piece of legislation of an institutional nature, general content and broad field of application; it covers all private- and public-sector employees and all branches. This institutional framework sets out the fundamental principles and the responsibilities of employers, employees and government.
This law provides for methods of prevention and organisation of health and safety in the workplace in both the public and private sectors. The organisational aspect of prevention is achieved through the participation of all parties concerned at different levels.
Within the enterprise, the law provides for the establishment of a Health and Safety Committee which has advisory duties on the health and safety of employees.
The other two persons who support the work of the Committee are the Safety Officer (usually an engineer) and a doctor specialised in occupational medicine. Their role is to advise both employers and employees in identifying and eradicating work hazards. Every three months there is a joint meeting of the Committee, the Safety Officer and the doctor with the employer, with the purpose of analysing and seeking solutions to health and safety problems that have arisen in the interim.
At national level, the main organisation is the Council for Health and Safety at Work (SYAE) (cf. Chapter II) while the Prefectural Health and Safety Committee operates at prefectural level.
The parties participating in the SYAE are as follows:
- the social partners (SEB, GSEE);
- the national authorities represented by the Ministries of Labour and Social Security, Industry and Health;
- scientific bodies such as the Pan-Hellenic Medical Association, the Technical Chamber of Greece and the Association of Greek Chemists.
The brief of these bodies is to advise on drafting legislation (laws and regulations), to propose measures and to coordinate the activities of those involved in occupational health and safety.
Law 1568/85 establishes the principles for planning, focusing on the protection of the human being in different work situations and according to ergonomic standards. The law stipulates the duties and responsibilities of manufacturers, importers and suppliers with regard to the safe operation of machinery and the issuing of licences for their use. It also sets protection standards in respect of mechanical and electrical hazards. Finally, law 1568/85 provides for protection against exposure to physical, biological and chemical agents.
The implementation of the law is assured by penal sanctions imposed by the courts and administrative measures which range from fines to a complete shut-down of production. All these sanctions are imposed on the basis of the seriousness of the hazards involved, the history of behaviour and the responsibility of the employer.
Presidential Decree 17/96 has been enacted in accordance with EU Directive 89/391 on "the introduction of measures to encourage improvement in the health and safety of workers".
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