The issue of labor security in Georgia has been particularly critical in the last few years. This is confirmed by the public speeches and demonstrations held in the country.
Also official data, according to which in Georgia in 2011-2017 the number of people who died in the workplace reached 317.
Labor should be
focused on human development and should not endanger human life and health. It is important for any company that its employees are as closely involved in the business as possible. It is therefore required to provide them with the opportunity to work in safe conditions.
The Law on Labor Security came into force on September 1 of this year, according to which regulations will apply to all fields of economic activity, including office activities.
Article 7, paragraph 4 of this law states: “If the employer does not have an adequate number of labor security specialists in view of the size of the enterprise, the number of employees, the working conditions, the quality of the hazard, the nature and structure, and the associated risks, the employer shall invite specialists in the field concerned.”
The law identified non-existent, substantial, and critical differences in violations identified during the inspection. The following administrative penalties are set for these differences:
- Warning;
- A fine not exceeding GEL 50,000;
- Suspension of work process.
An employer with 20 or fewer employees can perform the job of a labor security specialist himself, but only if he or she has had the relevant accredited program.
If there are between 20 and 100 employees in an employer’s company, he or she must have at least one Occupational Safety Specialist. And if the number of employees exceeds 100, then the employer is obliged to create a labor security service with no less than 2 labor security specialists.
What are the responsibilities of a labor officer?
The Labor Security Officer offers the following types of services to meet the requirements of the law:
- Training (short and long term) in compliance with international standards in occupational safety and health (including fire safety) software modules;
- Recommendations for the introduction of a preventive safety system in the organization;
- Issues related to the adoption of labor safety rules and other necessary documentation in the organization;
- Providing information on the facility’s special facilities;
- Provides recommendations on-site staff training;
- Provides recommendations on adding a security specialist to the site;
- Develop labor safety standards at the company;
- Support the process of enforcement of labor safety standards;
- Getting to know the company’s authoritative news;
- Protecting the interests of the company with supervisory authorities and/or the court;
It also evaluates the condition of the facility, and if necessary audits, which include:
- Inspection of the facility;
- Identifying threats and preparing a risk evaluation document;
- Issuing detailed notes and instructions;
- Labor security and its necessity in today’s reality/create mandatory labor security documentation;
- Drafting of mandatory authoritative action plans;
- Follow-up on instructions and recommendations.
Consulting company “AGIC”, which provides high-quality services in audit, accounting and legal, business consulting and marketing, plans to introduce another service.
The new service is about Labor Security. Soon we will provide you with detailed information and terms of service.