Occupational health care

Employers are responsible for organising preventive occupational health care for their employees.

Its purpose is to promote, through collaboration between the employer, the employee and occupational health service,

the health, work ability and functional capacity of employees at different stages of career
the prevention of occupational diseases and accidents
healthy and safe work and working environments
the smooth running of the work community.

Employers can arrange occupational health services for employees either by themselves, together with other employers or purchase the services from a private service provider. Municipal health centres must organise occupational health services for those employers operating in their area that want to have them. Entrepreneurs and other self-employed persons may organise occupational health services for themselves.

The Social Insurance Institution pays the employers that have concluded an agreement with their occupational health service on activities to maintain work ability, follow-up and early support at the workplace 60 per cent of the costs in compensation. If no such agreement has been made the compensation for the costs of preventive occupational health care is 50 per cent. Correspondingly, entrepreneurs and other self-employed persons are paid compensation for the occupational health services they have arranged for themselves.

The occupational health care arranged by the employer can also include medical treatment and other health care services besides preventive services.

Occupational health care legislation

Provisions on occupational health care are laid down in the Occupational Health Care Act, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Primary Health Care Act, the Health Care Act, and the Health Insurance Act.

Occupational Health Care Act 1383/ 2001 (Finlex)
Occupational Safety and Health Act 738/2002 /Finlex)
Primary Health Care Act 66/1972 (Finlex)

Oversight of the legislation is provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the Regional State Administrative Agencies, and occupational safety and health authorities.