Työterveysmääräykset

Työterveysmääräykset are Finnish regulations that govern the organization and provision of occupational health services (OHS) in workplaces. They are part of Finland’s broader occupational safety and health framework and aim to protect workers’ health, prevent work-related illnesses and injuries, and maintain workers’ ability to work. The rules cover how OHS is arranged, either through in-house units or external providers, and how services are matched to the risks present in a workplace.

Key elements include requirements for employers to arrange access to OHS based on risk assessments, the provision of health surveillance appropriate to occupational risks, and the implementation of preventive measures and health promotion activities. They also address confidentiality and handling of medical information, cooperation among employers, OHS providers, employees, and safety personnel, and the need for appropriate documentation and reporting. In practice, the regulations guide how health data are collected, stored, and used, and they specify the rights of workers to participate in health-related decisions affecting their work.

Relation to other law: työterveysmääräykset operate alongside broader occupational safety legislation and EU directives on health and safety at work. They are periodically updated to reflect new scientific knowledge, technologies, and international obligations, and to harmonize practices across sectors.

Impact and scope: The provisions typically apply to most employees in Finland, with adaptations based on sector, company size, and the level of occupational risk. Enforcement is carried out by authorities responsible for occupational safety and health, and non-compliance can lead to inspections and corrective actions. Overall, they formalize the role of health in the workplace and support preventive, health-promoting, and protective practices.