Estonia > Occupational safety and health

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Law, Act

Explosives Act of 7 June 2017 (consolidation). -

Adoption: 2017-06-07 | Date of entry into force: 2017-07-04 | EST-2017-L-112537

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Regulation N° 57 of 24 November 2016 on radiation safety training for exposed workers and radiation safety officers. -

Adoption: 2016-11-24 | Date of entry into force: 2016-11-28 | Date of gradual entry into force: 2017-11-01 | EST-2016-R-112508

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Law, Act

Law No. RT I, 28.06.2016, 2 of 8 June 2016 "on Radiation" (consolidation). -

Adoption: 2016-06-08 | Date of entry into force: 2016-11-01 | EST-2016-L-105082

Chapter I: General provisions
Chapter II: Radiation safety planning
Chapter III: Requirements for radiation practices
Chapter IV: Licenses related to radiation practices
Chapter V: Natural exposures
Chapter VI: Financial collateral
Chapter VII: Radiation monitoring
Chapter VIII: Intervention and implementation of protective measures
Chapter IX: State supervision
Chapter X: Liability
Chapter XI: Implementing provisions.
Implementing documents:
Council Directive 89/618/Euratom on informing the general public about health protection measures to be applied and steps to be taken in the event of a radiological emergency (OJ L 357, 07.12.1989, p. 31-34); Council Directive 90/641/Euratom of on the operational protection of outside workers exposed to the risk of ionizing radiation during their activities in controlled areas (OJ L 349, 13.12.1990, pp. 21-25); Council Directive 96/29/Euratom laying down basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and the general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation (OJ L 159, 29.06.1996, pp. 1-114); Council Directive 97/43/Euratom on health protection of individuals against the dangers of ionizing radiation in relation to medical exposure, and repealing Directive 84/466/Euratom (OJ L 180, 09.07.1997, pp. 22-27); Council Directive 2003/122/Euratom on the control of high-activity sealed radioactive sources and orphan sources (OJ L 346, 31.12.2003, pp. 57-64); Council Directive 2006/117/Euratom on the supervision and control of shipments of radioactive waste and spent fuel (OJ L 337, 05.12.2006, pp. 21-32); Council Directive 2009/71/Euratom establishing a Community framework for the nuclear safety of nuclear installations (OJ L 172, 02.07.2009, p 18-22); Council Directive 2014/87/Euratom amending Directive 2009/71/Euratom establishing a Community framework for the nuclear safety of nuclear installations (OJ L 219, 25.07.2014, pp. 42-52).

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Law, Act

Chemicals Act of 29 October 2015 (consolidation). -

Adoption: 2015-10-29 | Date of entry into force: 2015-12-01 | EST-2015-L-112546

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Law, Act

Equipment Safety Act of 18 February 2015 (consolidation). -

Adoption: 2015-02-18 | Date of entry into force: 2015-07-01 | EST-2015-L-112535

This Act regulates the putting of equipment into service, the use of equipment, and equipment work. The following Acts are repealed :
1) the Pressure Equipment Safety Act;
2) the Gaseous Fuel Safety Act;
3) the Machine Safety Act;
4) the Electrical Safety Act;
5) the Lifts and Cableway Installations Safety Act.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Law, Act

Law No. RT I, 04.06.2014, 2 of 21 May 2014 to Amend the Acts on Individual Labour Dispute Resolution, on Occupational Health and Safety, on Labour Market Services and Benefits. -

Adoption: 2014-05-21 | Date of entry into force: 2014-09-01 | EST-2014-L-102020

Amends Individual Labour Dispute Resolution Act rephrasing section 91 (Processing of information concerning labour disputes in labour dispute committees);
also amends, inter alia, Occupational Health and Safety Act making wording changes into sub-paragraphs 17), 19) of para (1) of section 13 (Obligations and rights of employer), para (10) of section 16 (Working environment specialist); further, supplements the Act with new section 161 (Safe working life database), rephrases para (4) of section 17 (Working environment representative), paras, (11), (51) of section 18 (Working environment council), para (3) of section 22 (Occupational accident) also supplementing it with new para (31), para (2) of section 24 (Investigation and registration of occupational accident and occupational disease); also supplementing the Act with section 241 (Working environment database).

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Law, Act

Law No. RT I, 28.02.2011, 1 of 16 February 2011 "On General Part of the Environmental Code" (consolidation). -

Adoption: 2011-02-16 | Date of entry into force: 2014-08-01 | Date of gradual entry into force: 2017-08-01 | Date of gradual entry into force: 2015-01-01 | EST-2011-L-105083

Chapter I: General provisions
Chapter II: Principles and main duties of environmental protection
Chapter III: Duties of operator
Chapter IV: Environmental rights
Chapter V: Permit proceedings
Chapter V.1: State supervision
Chapter V.2: Liability
Chapter VI: Implementing provisions.
Implementing documents:
Directive 2003/4/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on public access to environmental information and repealing Council Directive 90/313/EEC (OJ L 41, 14.02.2003, pp. 26–32); Directive 2003/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council providing for public participation in respect of the drawing up of certain plans and programmes relating to the environment and amending with regard to public participation and access to justice Council Directives 85/337/EEC and 96/61/EC (OJ L 156, 25.06.2003, pp. 17–25); Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (codification) (OJ L 26, 28.01.2012, pp. 1–21); Directive (EU) 2015/2193 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from medium combustion plants (OJ L 313, 28.11.2015, pp. 1–19).

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Governmental Decree No. 75 of 3 April 2008 on the Procedure for the registration,investigation and reporting of occupational accidents and diseases. -

Adoption: 2008-04-03 | Date of entry into force: 2008-04-04 | EST-2008-R-81843

Based on art. 24 of the Act of 16 June 1999 on occupational health and safety, the Decree sets up a detailed procedure for the registration, investigation and reporting of occupational accidents and diseases.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Law, Act

Law No. RT I 2004, 38, 258 of 21 April 2004 "On Nature Conservation", as Amended to 19 June 2017 -

Adoption: 2004-04-21 | Date of entry into force: 2004-05-10 | EST-2004-L-105090

Chapter 1: General provisions
Chapter 2: Placing under protection
Chapter 3: Organization of protection
Chapter 4: Protected areas
Chapter 5: Limited conservation areas
Chapter 6: Shores and banks
Chapter 7: Nature conservation at local government level
Chapter 8: Species
Chapter 9: Fossils and natural monuments
Chapter 9.1: Implementation of Nagoya Protocol on access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization to the convention on biological diversity
Chapter 10: Participation in formation of Natura 2000 network of European Union
Chapter 10.1: State and administrative supervision
Chapter 11: Liability
Chapter 12: Final provisions.
Implementing documents:
Council Directive 92/43/EEC on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.07.1992, pp. 7–50); Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the conservation of wild birds (OJ L 20, 26.10.2010, pp. 7–25); Council Directive 90/313/EEC on the freedom of access to information on the environment (OJ L 158, 23.06.1990, pp. 56–58).

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Law, Act

Radiation Act (RT I 2004, 26, 173). -

Adoption: 2004-03-24 | Date of entry into force: 2004-05-01 | EST-2004-L-77054

Chapter I - General Provisions
Chapter II - National Planning of Radiation Protection
Chapter III - Radiation Practice License
Chapter IV - Obligations of Holders of Radiation Practice License
Chapter V - Guarantee of Radiation Safety
Chapter VI - Intervention
Chapter VII - Radioactive Waste and Emmissions
Chapter VIII - Liability
Chapter IX - Final Provisions

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Law, Act

Law No. RT I 2004, 9, 52 of 28 January 2004 "On Waste" (consolidation). -

Adoption: 2004-01-28 | Date of entry into force: 2004-05-01 | EST-2004-L-105089

Chapter 1: General provisions
Chapter 2: Waste management planning
Chapter 3: Special conditions for handling hazardous waste
Chapter 4: Waste handling organized by local governments
Chapter 5: Financing of development of waste handling
Chapter 6: Waste permits
Chapter 7: Hazardous waste management license
Chapter 8: Special conditions for collection of waste metal
Chapter 9: Trans-boundary movement of waste
Chapter 10: Maintenance of records and reporting
Chapter 11: State supervision
Chapter 12: Liability
Chapter 13: Implementing provisions
Implementing documents:
Directive 2006/21/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the management of waste from extractive industries and amending Directive 2004/35/EC (OJ L 102, 11.4.2006, p. 15–34); Council Directive 90/313/EEC on the freedom of access to information on the environment (OJ L 158, 23.6.1990, p. 56–58); Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste electrical and electronic equipment (OJ L 37, 13.2.2003, p. 24–39); Council Directive 1999/31/EC on the landfill of waste (OJ L 182, 16.7.1999, p. 1–19); Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste and repealing certain Directives (OJ L 312, 22.11.2008, p. 3–30); Directive 2009/31/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the geological storage of carbon dioxide and amending Council Directive 85/337/EEC, European Parliament and Council Directives 2000/60/EC, 2001/80/EC, 2004/35/EC, 2006/12/EC, 2008/1/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 (OJ L 140, 5.6.2009, p. 114–135).
Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (OJ L 174, 1.7.2011, p. 88–110); Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on waste electrical and electronic equipment (OJ L 197, 24.7.2012, p. 38–71).
Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators and repealing Directive 91/157/EEC (OJ L 266, 26.9.2006, p. 1–14), amended by directives 2008/12/EC (OJ L 76, 19.3.2008, p. 39–40) and 2008/103/EC (OJ L 327, 5.12.2008, p. 7–8);
Directive 2013/56/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2006/66/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on batteries and accumulators and waste batteries and accumulators as regards the placing on the market of portable batteries and accumulators containing cadmium intended for use in cordless power tools, and of button cells with low mercury content, and repealing Commission Decision 2009/603/EC (OJ L 329, 10.12.2013, p. 5–9) .

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Regulations No. 293 of 18 September 2001 on limit values for chemical hazards in the working environment. -

Adoption: 2001-09-18 | EST-2001-R-71251

Presents a list of limit values for chemical hazards in the working environment.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Regulations No. 173 of 17 May 2001 on occupational safety and health requirements for fishing vessels (RT I 2001, 47, 263). (Vabariigi Valitsuse 17. mai 2001. a määruses nr 173 „Kalalaevadele esitatavad töötervishoiu ja tööohutuse nõuded”) -

Adoption: 2001-05-17 | Date of entry into force: 2002-01-01 | EST-2001-R-71249

Provides for obligations of owner of vessel and skipper, and safety requirements on fishing vessels: electrical installations, fishing and other equipment, gas devices, fire protection, ventilation, lighting, workplaces, crew living quarters, etc.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Regulations No. 105 of 20 March 2001 on occupational safety and health requirements for using hazardous chemicals and materials containing the latter. -

Adoption: 2001-03-20 | Date of entry into force: 2001-10-01 | EST-2001-R-71237

Provides for risk assessment of work environment, measures for reducing the risk arising from hazardous chemicals in the work environment, use of personal and collective protective equipment, information and training of employees, and medical control of workers.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Regulation No. 26 of 27 February 2001 on occupational health and safety requirements for manual handling of loads. -

Adoption: 2001-02-27 | Date of entry into force: 2001-06-01 | EST-2001-R-71352

Regulates the handling of loads of more than 5 kg. Stipulates employers' obligations, measures for the reduction of health risks and factors causing potential health risks. The Directive 90/269/EEC has been taken into account in the regulation.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Regulations No. 50 of 7 February 2001 on occupational safety and health requirements for work of pregnant and breastfeeding women. -

Adoption: 2001-02-07 | Date of entry into force: 2001-04-01 | EST-2001-R-71234

Provides for employer's obligations, safety measures for female workers, and work prohibited for pregnant women and breastfeeding women.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Regulation No. 80 of 14 December 2000 on the Procedure of training and in-service training regarding occupational health and safety. -

Adoption: 2000-12-14 | Date of entry into force: 2001-03-01 | EST-2000-R-60531

Regulates training regarding occupational health and safety for working environment representatives and members of working environment councils, in-service training for working environment specialists, in-service training for employers if they perform the duties of working environment specialists, training for first aid providers in enterprises, and instruction and training for employees regarding occupational health and safety at the workplace.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Regulations No. 362 of 15 November 2000 on occupational safety and health requirements for work with display screen equipment. -

Adoption: 2000-11-15 | Date of entry into force: 2001-03-01 | EST-2000-R-71247

Provides for employer's obligations, and requirements for work environment and workplace.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Regulations No. 144 of 5 May 2000 on occupational safety and health requirements for the working environment affected by biological risk factors. -

Adoption: 2000-05-05 | Date of entry into force: 2000-07-01 | EST-2000-R-71236

Provides for a categorisation of biological risk factors into risk groups, estimation of health risks to the employee, and applying preventive measures. Also deals with employer's obligations (inter alia, labour hygiene, employee training, medical examination) and application of special measures. Presents an index of biological risk factors.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Regulations No. 51 of 15 February 2000 on requirements for using carcinogenic and mutagenic substances at the workplace. -

Adoption: 2000-02-15 | EST-2000-R-71242

Defines work processes causing carcinogenic risk and provides for employer's obligations. Also deals with occupational hygiene and health control.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Government Regulations No. 13 of 11 January 2000 on Occupational Health and Safety Requirements for Use of Work Equipment. -

Adoption: 2000-01-11 | Date of entry into force: 2000-01-24 | EST-2000-R-63184

Provides for obligations of employers and workers, requirements for work equipment (warning and safety devices, lighting, risks caused by energy) and additional requirements for specific types of work equipment (mobile equipment, equipment for lifting loads). Available in English.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Government Regulations No. 12 of 11 January 2000 on Procedure for Selection and Use of Personal Protective Equipment. -

Adoption: 2000-01-11 | Date of entry into force: 2000-01-24 | EST-2000-R-63186

Provides for conditions for the selection and use of protective equipment, including clothing specifically designed to protect workers against hazards likely to endanger their safety and health at work. Available in English.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Government Regulations No. 402 of 21 December 1999 on Occupational Health and Safety Requirements for Specific Areas of Activity. -

Adoption: 1999-12-21 | Date of entry into force: 2001-03-01 | EST-1999-R-63188

Requirements apply to workplaces in all areas of activity, except construction and extractive industries. Concerns worker's work position and movements, alarm devices, working environment (inter alia, lighting, noise, vibration, temperature). Available in English.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Government Regulations No. 377 of 8 December 1999 on Occupational Health and Safety Requirements at Construction Sites. -

Adoption: 1999-12-08 | Date of entry into force: 2000-01-01 | EST-1999-R-63187

Provides, inter alia, for inspection of construction sites, stability and solidity, energy distribution installations, emergency routes and exits, risks of fire and explosion, ventilation, use of protective equipment, temperature and lighting. Available in English.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Law, Act

Act of 16 June 1999 on occupational health and safety (Text No. 616) (consolidation). -

Adoption: 1999-06-16 | Date of entry into force: 1999-07-26 | EST-1999-L-54624

Provides for standards on occupational hygiene and safety, obligations of employers and employees to create a safe work environment, organization of hygiene and safety at the level of the enterprise, institution and State, procedure for settlement of disputes in this matter, and responsibility for breach of established standards. Consolidation available in English.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Law, Act

Act of 23 February 1999 on security in the electric power industry (Text No. 403).

Adoption: 1999-02-23 | Date of entry into force: 1999-05-01 | EST-1999-L-54146

Provides for general security standards during work on electrical installations, enforcement of standards, and administrative responsibilities. Available in English.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Government Decree No. 37 of 26 January 1999 to approve the National registry of doses of radiation received by workers dealing with radiation, and to approve the Rules for certification of workers dealing with radiation, and for issuing certificates (Text No. 137).

Adoption: 1999-01-26 | EST-1999-R-55005

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Law, Act

Act of 15 October 1998 to amend the Act on radiation. (Text No. 1520)

Adoption: 1998-10-15 | EST-1998-L-51775

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Law, Act

Chemicals Act of 6 May 1998 (consolidation). -

Adoption: 1998-05-06 | Date of entry into force: 1998-06-07 | EST-1998-L-52410

Provides for the organization of handling of chemicals, safety requirements, and labelling of chemicals.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Law, Act

Act of 12 November 1997 on explosive substances. -

Adoption: 1997-11-12 | Date of entry into force: 1998-01-01 | EST-1997-L-52717

Provides, inter alia, for the safe manufacture and trade of explosive substances, their storage, persons responsible for handling and trade, use and transport of substances.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Law, Act

Act of 23 April 1997 on radiation (Text No. 569) (consolidation). -

Adoption: 1997-04-23 | EST-1997-L-48302

Provides for protection of people and of the environment from harmful effects of radiation. Contains provisions relating to requirements for activities linked with radiation, occupational irradiation (authorized levels), and medical examination of workers exposed to radiation. Also available in English.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Regulations No. 66 of the Minister of Social Affairs of 28 December 1995 on Health Protection Standards and Rules for Thermal Environments in Workrooms. -

Adoption: 1995-12-28 | EST-1995-R-63183

Specify the optimum and permissible values for thermal environmental parameters for workplaces in workrooms, and the methods of measurement and valuation thereof based on the level of physical effort required for the work and the season. Available in English.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Law, Act

Rescue Act of 23 March 1994 (consolidation). -

Adoption: 1994-03-23 | Date of entry into force: 1994-04-24 | EST-1994-L-51773

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Ordinance to consolidate the lists of elements harmful to health, of underground work and work of a special character, requiring reduced working time.

Adoption: 1994-03-08 | Date of entry into force: 1994-04-01 | EST-1994-R-39427

Consolidates 3 lists : a list of elements harmful to health requiring reduced working time (toxic substances, noise, vibration, ionizing radiation); a list of underground work requiring reduced working time (mining); and a list of works, occupations and duties of a special character requiring reduced working time (medical personnel and civilian air force).

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Decree No. 10 of 11 January 1994 to amend partially the Decree No. 171 of 7 June 1993 on the procedure of investigation and registration of industrial accidents and cases of occupational diseases (Text No. 111).

Adoption: 1994-01-11 | Date of entry into force: 1994-01-01 | EST-1994-R-49433

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Government Regulations No. 321 of 19 October 1993 on the Procedure for Manual Handling of Loads. -

Adoption: 1993-10-19 | Date of entry into force: 1994-01-01 | EST-1993-R-63185

Provides for limit values in manual handling of loads, training and medical examination of employees who are regularly engaged in the manual handling of loads. Available in English.

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Decree No. 171 of 7 June 1993 on the procedure of investigation and registration of industrial accidents and cases of occupational diseases (Text No. 540).

Adoption: 1993-06-07 | EST-1993-R-49432

Estonia - Occupational safety and health - Regulation, Decree, Ordinance

Decree No. 150 concerning the preparation and the utilization of explosive substances (Text No. 346)

Adoption: 1992-05-12 | EST-1992-R-34997