Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2025, published 114th ILC session (2026)

Finland

Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) (Ratification: 1985)
Promotional Framework for Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 2006 (No. 187) (Ratification: 2008)

In order to provide a comprehensive view of the issues relating to the application of ratified Conventions on occupational safety and health (OSH), the Committee considers it appropriate to examine Conventions Nos 155 (OSH) and 187 (promotional framework for OSH) together.

The Committee notes the observations of the Central Organization of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK), the Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland (Akava), the Finnish Confederation of Professionals (STTK), the Federation of Finnish Enterprises (SY) and the Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) on Conventions Nos 155 and 187, communicated with the Government’s reports.

Application of Convention 155 and 187 in practice. Measures to prevent occupational accidents and diseases. The Committee notes the adoption of several new legislative measures to strengthen OSH, as well as ongoing preparations to update specific regulations. The Committee notes the Government’s indication in its report that ensuring compliance with OSH legislation has been the main focus, aimed at preventing occupational accidents and diseases through a risk-based approach, guided by the Framework Plan for Occupational Safety and Health Divisions (2024–2027). Supervision and inspection activities have remained central to enforcement, with some 8,100 inspections in 2024, 9,300 in 2023 and 9,845 in 2022. Ensuring availability of up-to-date information and its dissemination have been part of these efforts including the use of various communications channels. The Committee takes note also of the indication that the Government has conducted problem analysis and targeted actions in high-risk sectors such as private health and social services as well as in the employment service sector, particularly for temporary agency workers. The Committee further notes the concerns of SAK, Akava and STTK particularly related to psychological risks, the increased violence related to work during 2022–2024 and an increase in the number of accidents at work. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the impact of the measures adopted in view of reducing occupational accidents and diseases, including inspection findings, follow-up actions, and progress achieved, particularly in the high-risk sectors identified.

Articles 5(c) and 19(d) of Convention No. 155, Article 4(3)(c) of Convention No. 187. OSH training and qualifications. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that the pertinent provisions related to training criteria or requirements for persons with OSH responsibilities are included in the Occupational Safety and Health Act (738/2002) and in the Act on Occupational Safety and Health Enforcement and Cooperation on Occupational Safety and Health at Workplaces (44/2006). The Committee also notes that the SAK, Akava and STTK raise concerns regarding the lack of OSH training in numerous workplaces or qualification requirements for individuals responsible for OSH in the workplace. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the measures envisaged to ensure that persons with responsibilities for OSH are provided with adequate and appropriate training and possess the necessary competence to carry out their duties effectively.

General provisions

I. Action at the national level

Article 2(1) of Convention No. 187. Promoting the continuous improvement of OSH by developing a national policy, national system and national programme. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the measures taken by the Government to reduce threats of workplace violence and address psychosocial risks, including the integration of these objectives into the Implementation Plan for the Policy for the Work Environment and Well-being at Work 2030. The Committee notes with interest the 2023 amendment to the Occupational Safety and Health Act clarifying that both physical and psychosocial workload factors must be included in workplace risk assessments. The Committee further notes the continuation of the Mental Health at Work Programme, which promotes preventive approaches to mental health and supports cooperation between workplaces and occupational health services, and the establishment of a tripartite working group to prepare legislative amendments for improving the working conditions of platform workers. The Committee notes that the SAK, Akava and STTK refer to OSH risks related to climate change and platform work. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the measures taken and results achieved to promote continuous improvement of OSH, including the impact of the Mental Health at Work Programme and provide information on progress in implementing the objectives of the Policy for the Work Environment and Well-being at Work until 2030 under the 2024–2027 Implementation Plan.

Articles 4, 8, 13 and 19(f) of Convention No. 155. Prevention of injury to health occurring in the course of work. Protection of workers removed from situations presenting an imminent and serious danger. Following its previous comments, the Committee takes note that, under section 23 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act), workers have the right to remove themselves from work situations presenting an imminent and serious danger to their life or health, and that the OSH authority does not have detailed data on the exercise of this right. The Committee further notes that the prevention of violence and harassment remains a key objective in the Policy Implementation Plan 2024–27. The Committee also notes the observations of SAK, Akava and STTK indicating insufficient prevention measures and persistent psychosocial risks including a rise in workplace violence. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the practical application of the right of workers to remove themselves from situations which they had reasonable justification to believe presented an imminent and serious danger to their life or health, and on the impact of the measures taken to prevent injury to health, including those arising from violence and harassment at work.

Article 5(1) of Convention No. 187. Formulation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and periodical review of a national OSH programme. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes that the Policy for the Work Environment and Well-being at Work until 2030 aims at ensuring healthy and safe workplaces regardless of the form of employment, place of work, sector or size of the workplace. It notes that the Policy was updated in 2024 to reflect changes in working life, and that both the policy and its Implementation Plan 2024–2027 have been developed in collaboration with social partners, relevant stakeholders and institutions. The Implementation Plan includes concrete actions to achieve the Policy’s objectives and builds on analyses of the previous Implementation Plan. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information, on the evaluation and review of the Implementation Plan 2024–2027 and how these contribute to the formulation of subsequent plans. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the consultations held with social partners on these matters.

II. Action at the level of the undertaking

Article 20 of Convention No. 155 and Article 4(2)(d) of Convention No. 187. Cooperation at the level of the undertaking. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication that, under section 29 of the Act on Occupational Safety and Health Enforcement and Cooperation on Occupational Safety and Health at Workplaces (44/2006), employees in workplaces with fewer than ten employees have the right, though not the obligation, to elect an OSH representative. It further notes that, where no representative is elected, cooperation on occupational safety and health matters takes place in accordance with section 17 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (738/2002) which includes a general provision on cooperation between employers and employees. The Committee requests the Government to continue providing information on the practical functioning of OSH cooperation in small undertakings, as well as on any other arrangements to promote cooperation between management, workers and their representatives as an essential element of workplace-related prevention measures in those workplaces.

In addition, the Committee recalls the pending comments regarding the technical OSH Conventions ratified (Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115), Guarding of Machinery Convention, 1963 (No. 119), Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 (No. 120), Benzene Convention, 1971 (No. 136), Occupational Cancer Convention, 1974 (No. 139), Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Convention, 1977 (No. 148), Occupational Health Services Convention, 1985 (No. 161), Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162), Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1988 (No. 167), Chemicals Convention, 1990 (No. 170), Prevention of Major Industrial Accidents Convention, 1993 (No. 174), Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (No. 176), Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184)) adopted by the Committee in 2022, for which the Government will be requested to reply in accordance with the reporting cycle.