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Amendments to OSH Legislation in Serbia

Ranka Barjaktarević

2 Min Read

The new Law on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in Serbia, came into force on 5 July 2023 and employers were given a two-year period to incorporate the new provisions

The new Law on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in Serbia, came into force on 5 July 2023 and employers were given a two-year period to incorporate the new provisions, with full implementation required by 7 May 2025.  As the deadline approaches, we’ve outlined below eight key laws companies need to compy with:

  • Working from home: One of the key changes is the recognition of remote working. The law mandates that employers are responsible for implementing occupational safety measures for remote work, including conducting risk assessments and prescribing measures for safe and healthy work environments.
  • Compulsory safety training: The law also introduced mandatory safety training, emphasising the responsibility of employees for injuries at work. Employers must now provide training for the proper use of personal protective equipment and ensure that work machines are examined.
  • Work permits for high-risk jobs: Preventive measures for high-risk jobs have been strengthened. Employers are now required to issue work permits for tasks involving significant risks, such as working at height, in confined spaces, or with dangerous chemicals.
  • Medical examinations for employees: The latest legislation has now made employee medical examinations more comprehensive. Employers must ensure that employees in high-risk roles undergo regular medical examinations, with the costs borne by the employer.
  • Greater competence of inspections: The competence of inspections has been enhanced to ensure a more efficient application of the law. Labour inspectors now have the authority to prohibit work on construction sites if they determine that the safety and health of employees are immediately threatened.
  • Obligatory training for safe and healthy work: Periodic training for safe and healthy work is now mandatory for employees in high-risk positions and managers. This training must be conducted at least once a year for high-risk roles and every three years for other positions.  In addition, the training must be carried out in a language the employee understands and it must be adapted to meet the requirements of of special groups of employees.
  • Experts to renew their licences: Considered to be one of the most significant changes is raising the competence of occupational safety and health experts by requiring them to renew their licenses every five years, ensuring continuous education and training.
     
    Increased fines and offences
    Finally, the penal policy has been tightened, with maximum fines doubling and 73 different offences prescribed for violations of the law.

This new Serbian legislation has been introduced to enhance the protection of workers’ rights and to ensure the country is aligning with European standards.  To discuss their impact on your organisation get in touch with one of our Health & Benefits experts.

Ranka Barjaktarević 

Advisor to the General Manager for Voluntary Health Insurance

T +381 60 0254 821

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