Arbodiensten

Arbodiensten are occupational health service providers that assist employers in managing health and safety at work. In the Netherlands and other Dutch-speaking regions, they operate under the Working Conditions Act (Arbowet) and help employers meet legal obligations related to employee safety, health, and reintegration after illness.

They can be external agencies or internal units within a company. Most arbodiensten employ a range of professionals, including bedrijfsartsen (occupational physicians), bedrijfsverpleegkundigen (occupational nurses), safety specialists, and hygienists. Their services are designed to support prevention, health monitoring, and recovery processes in the workplace.

Core activities include supporting the risk assessment and planning process (RI&E), advising on prevention measures, and conducting workplace inspections and ergonomic assessments. They provide medical surveillance and health screenings according to risk and sector requirements, and they manage or assist with sickness absence and rehabilitation, including return-to-work programs and coordination of reintegration plans.

They also offer training and information to management and staff on safe work practices, psychosocial risk management, and compliance with regulations. Data from medical activities is handled with strict confidentiality and in accordance with privacy laws (AVG/GDPR) and medical privacy requirements.

The engagement model typically involves contracting an external arbodienst or appointing an internal occupational health unit, with the goal of ensuring healthy, safe, and compliant workplaces. They interact with the Inspectie SZW (Labor Market Inspectorate) and other regulators to ensure ongoing compliance.