Labour protection

Labour protection is a system of legal, organisational, technical and medical measures aimed at preserving an employee’s life and health in the course of work. The employer must organise a safe workplace, give employees a safety briefing, where needed provide special clothing and protective equipment, and arrange medical examinations. The employee must follow safety rules, use protective equipment and report danger to a supervisor. If a serious danger to life or health arises, the employee may report it and stop work until the danger is removed; such a step must not cost the employee pay or the job. If an industrial accident happens, the employer must help the victim, investigate and formalise it in the manner set by law; the harm is compensated. Minors have additional guarantees: they are not involved in heavy, harmful, dangerous or night work, underground work or lifting heavy loads, they undergo a medical examination on hiring, and their working time is shorter. Women’s work also has special guarantees linked to pregnancy and child care.