"Most of the companies operating in Estonia—83%—are micro-enterprises. To date, we have sent e-mails to more than 22,000 micro-enterprises, reminding them of the obligation to complete the work environment risk analysis and explaining that this requirement is not just a bureaucratic formality; both entrepreneurs and their employees benefit from completing the document and considering the risks associated with their work environment,” said Kaire Saarep, Director General of the Labour Inspectorate, justifying the need for this outreach. "We’re focusing on micro-enterprises because, often due to a lack of awareness or resources, 60% of them have not yet completed the mandatory risk analysis," Saarep commented.
"Ensuring a safe work environment and taking care of your colleagues is and should be a priority for entrepreneurs. In smaller companies, where the starring is limited, workplace accidents can have severe consequences, causing significant downtime and worries as replacements are often not readily available," Saarep added.
In 2023, 12% of all occupational accidents occurred in micro-enterprises, mostly with truck drivers, construction and repair workers, as well as welders. As many as three out of ten fatal occupational accidents last year involved micro-enterprises. "Unfortunately, in companies with a small team not as much attention is paid to occupational safety as in large companies. These companies often lack the knowledge to prevent accidents and effectively respond when they occur," Saarep noted, adding that conducting a risk analysis is crucial for identifying and mitigating workplace hazards.
"The Labour Inspectorate has had a functioning self-service environment, launched already in 2021. It includes a module necessary to perform a free risk analysis. We’ve designed it specifically with micro and small businesses in mind to make the process simple and cost-effective, eliminating the teed for companies to outsource this service," Saarep explained.
Preparing the work environment risk analysis through the Labour Inspectorate’ self-service portal and updating it on a regular basis can significantly reduce workplace accidents. The process involves identifying workplace risk factors, assessing their severity, and implementing measures to mitigate them.
Implementation of the Labour Inspectorate’s self-service portal awareness campaign is funded by the European Social Fund+ (ESF+) grant "Development of Work Environment that Values Occupational Health and Safety 2021-2027".
