Dominican Republic - 2013

1.1 Description of OSH regulatory framework

2.1 Health and safety covers physical and psychological health

2.2 Definition of worker

• 2.2.1 Coverage of particular categories of workers

  Sometimes.
  

  • 2.2.1.1 Migrant workers

    Summary/citation: A worker is defined as a natural person who provides a manual or intellectual service, under a contract of employment.
    (Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo, § 2(22))

    The labour law is applied following the territorial principle and without distinction between Dominicans and foreigners with exception of the provisions set in International Agreements.
    (Ley núm. 16-92 que aprueba el Código de Trabajo, Principio IV)

    Remarks / comments: The definition of "worker" given is general as it refers to all kind of natural persons linked to an employer by a contract of employment.

    • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 2(22))

    • Ley núm. 16-92 que aprueba el Código de Trabajo. (Principio IV)

  • 2.2.1.2 Domestic workers

    Summary/citation: A worker is defined as a natural person who provides a manual or intellectual service, under a contract of employment.

    Remarks / comments: The definition of "worker" given is general as it refers to all kind of natural persons linked to an employer by a contract of employment.

    • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 2(22))

    Related CEACR Comments
    • Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) Direct Request 2018
    

  • 2.2.1.3 Home workers

    Summary/citation: A worker is defined as a natural person who provides a manual or intellectual service, under a contract of employment.

    Remarks / comments: The definition of "worker" given is general as it refers to all kind of natural persons linked to an employer by a contract of employment.

    • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 2(22))

  • 2.2.1.4 Self-employed persons

    No data available.
    

2.3 Definition of employer

2.4 Exclusion of branches of economic activity

• 2.4.1 Agriculture

  Summary/citation: The Regulations on safety and health at work apply to all branches of activity.

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 1(1))

• 2.4.2 Construction

  Summary/citation: The Regulations on safety and health at work apply to all branches of activity.

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 1(1))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1988 (No. 167) Observation 2011
  • Safety and Health in Construction Convention, 1988 (No. 167) Direct Request 2016
  

• 2.4.3 Services

  Summary/citation: The Regulations on safety and health at work apply to all branches of activity.

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 1(1))

• 2.4.4 Public sector

  Summary/citation: The Regulations on safety and health at work does not apply to public servants.

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 1(1))

• 2.4.5 Other

  Summary/citation: The Regulations on safety and health at work does not apply to members of the Army and the National Police.

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 1(1))

  • Ley núm. 16-92 que aprueba el Código de Trabajo. (Principio III)

2.5 Definition of occupational accident

2.6 Definition of occupational disease

• 2.6.1 List of occupational diseases

  Summary/citation: There is a list of occupational diseases provided in the Law.

  • Reglamento sobre el Seguro de Riesgos Laborales como norma complementaria a la Ley núm. 87-01 que crea el Sistema Dominicano de Seguridad Social (Anexo II)

• 2.6.2 Mechanism for compensating other diseases as occupational ones

  No data available.
  

3.1 Competent national authority for safety and health at work

• 3.1.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions

  Summary/citation: Amongst the functions of the Occupational Safety and Health Directorate, the law includes:
  a. Carry out risk assessments and measurements to test the toxicity of substances, work methods or equipment used in production processes.
  b. Investigate the causes occupational accidents, occupational diseases and impact of risk factors on the health of workers.
  c. Promote and develop research programs on methods and techniques OSH.
  d. Verify compliance with health and safety regulations.
  e. Develop guidelines and instructions on occupational hazards as tools for planning prevention policies in the workplace.
  f. Coordinate with the Department of Inspection Coordination System (CSID), the visits to companies, in order to verify compliance with OSH regulations.
  g. Advise companies on request, in relation to existing legislation concerning OSH.
  h. Promote and monitor the creation of OSH Committees or the appointment of a OSH coordinator in those companies where the establishment of a committee is not required due to the number of workers.
  j. Promote, educate and train on the prevention of occupational hazards and their effects on health.
  k. The Occupational Safety and Health Directorate certify companies that meet the content of this Regulation, its annexes and supplementary resolutions.

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 3)

• 3.1.2 Chairperson and composition

  No data available.
  

3.2 National OSH research programme or institute

• 3.2.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions

  Summary/citation: Amongst the functions of the Occupational Safety and Health Directorate, the law includes:
  a. Carry out risk assessments and measurements to test the toxicity of substances, work methods or equipment used in production processes.
  b. Investigate the causes occupational accidents, occupational diseases and impact of risk factors on the health of workers.
  c. Promote and develop research programs on methods and techniques OSH.
  d. Verify compliance with health and safety regulations.
  e. Develop guidelines and instructions on occupational hazards as tools for planning prevention policies in the workplace.
  f. Coordinate with the Department of Inspection Coordination System (CSID), the visits to companies, in order to verify compliance with OSH regulations.
  g. Advise companies on request, in relation to existing legislation concerning OSH.
  h. Promote and monitor the creation of OSH Committees or the appointment of a OSH coordinator in those companies where the establishment of a committee is not required due to the number of workers.
  j. Promote, educate and train on the prevention of occupational hazards and their effects on health.
  k. The Occupational Safety and Health Directorate certify companies that meet the content of this Regulation, its annexes and supplementary resolutions.
  

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 3)

• 3.2.2 Governance board constitution and chairmanship

  No data available.
  

• 3.2.3 Source of funding

  No data available.
  

3.3 National OSH programme

• 3.3.1 Consultation on the national OSH programme

  Summary/citation: A national OSH programme in consultation with the most representative organizations of employers and workers is not required by law.

4.1 Duty to ensure the health and safety of employees

4.2 Duty to protect the health and safety of people other than their own employees

4.3 Collaboration among two or more employers at the same workplace

4.4 Surveillance of workers’ health in relation to work

• 4.4.1 Specific hazards for which surveillance is required

  No data available.
  

4.5 Surveillance of the working environment and working practices

4.6 Duty to provide personal protective equipment

4.7 Duty to ensure the usage of personal protective equipment

4.8 Duty to provide first-aid and welfare facilities

• 4.8.1 Arrangements for first-aid

  Summary / Citation: Every workplace must have at least one portable kit containing approved disinfectants and antiseptics, sterile gauze, cotton, bandages, adhesive tape, adhesive bandages, scissors, tweezers, gloves and essential medicines such as analgesics and antacids.
  (§§ 1.20-1.21)

  The Resolution Nº 04/2007 contains a specific section on first aid.
  (§ 9)

  • Resolución núm. 04-2007 que normaliza lo relativo a las condiciones generales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo (§§ 1(20)-1(21), 9)

• 4.8.2 Sanitary installations

  Summary / Citation: The law requires all workplaces to have sinks, toilets and showers. Specific requirements as toilet paper, special sealed containers in women’s toilets, locks etc., are also specified in the law. The number of sinks, toilets and showers is specified and depend on the volume of the workforce. Sanitary facilities are required to be maintained in a clean and satisfactory operation.

  • Resolución núm. 04-2007 que normaliza lo relativo a las condiciones generales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo (§ 1(19))

• 4.8.3 Drinking water

  Summary / Citation: The law requires employers to make drinking water or other healthy beverages available to workers.

  • Resolución núm. 04-2007 que normaliza lo relativo a las condiciones generales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo (§ 1(16))

• 4.8.4 Rest and eating areas

  No data available.
  

5.1 Elements of an OSH management system

• 5.1.1 Policy or plan specifying responsibilities and arrangements for health and safety

  Summary/citation: The OSH program must contain the following basic elements:
  1. Analysis of accidents/incidents
  2. Personal communications
  3. Recruitment and placement
  4. Health control
  5. Purchasing controls
  6. Engineering controls
  7. Professional training
  8. Training on administration
  9. Personal protective equipment
  10. Planned inspections
  11. Investigation of accidents / incidents
  12. Leadership and management
  13. Observations on tasks
  14. Preparation for emergencies
  15. Procedures and task analysis
  16. General promotion
  17. Rules of the organization
  18. Group meetings
  19. Outside work safety
  20. Program evaluation system
  

  • Resolución núm. 04-2007 que normaliza lo relativo a las condiciones generales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo (§ 7)

• 5.1.2 Appointment of a person for health and safety

  No data available.
  

• 5.1.3 Written risk assessment

  Summary/citation: The law defines risk assessment as a qualitative and quantitative study of risk factors present in the workplace, and provides workers with the right to be consulted on risk assessments (§ 4(2)).

  When new products, equipment and methods of work are introduced, the employer must submit to the Ministry of Labour the changes made to the occupational safety and health program and the related application of risk assessment thereto (§ 8(2)).

  The Directorate of Industrial Safety and Hygiene (Ministry of Labour) is competent to carry out risk assessments (§ 3(a)).

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§§ 4(2), 8(2), 3(a))

• 5.1.4 Safe operating work systems and procedures

  Summary/citation: The employer has the obligation to take preventively the following measures:
  1. Avoid risks at their source.
  2. Plan the prevention in a coherent manner integrating technology, organization of work, working conditions, social relationships and the influence of environmental factors at work.
  3. Control the risks which cannot be avoided technically.
  4. Adapt the work to the person, especially with regard to the tasks that the position involves, as well as the choice of equipment and methods of work and production, with the aim of mitigating the monotonous, repetitive work and reducing the negative effects on health.
  5. Take into account technological developments with regard to prevention.
  6. Replace risk elements by elements that involves minimal risk or no risk at all for the worker.
  7. Adopt measures that give the preference to collective protection rather than to the individual protection.
  8. Giving appropriate instructions to workers with regard to prevention.
  9. Provide to the employee the appropriate personal protective equipment free of charge.
  10. Adopt the preventive measures as appropriate for different branches of economic activity and different types of work
  11. Take the necessary steps with regard to working hours and rest periods in order to avoid causing harm to the safety and health of workers, as well as take reasonable and practicable steps in order to eliminate all excessive physical or mental fatigue.
  12 Implement the preventive measures relating to the workplace established in these Regulations when a damage has been caused to the health of workers by conducting an investigation in order to detect the causes of the damage.
  13 Provide medical services at work, within the company or through agreements with an external organization.
  14. The employer will guarantee workers the periodic monitoring of their state of health, based on the inherent risks involved in the work. This regularity will never exceed the year. Medical examinations and any health monitoring activity must be carried out by doctors who are qualified specialists or masters in occupational health, or are under the supervision of such.

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 7)

• 5.1.5 Training and information on risks

  Summary/citation: With regard to the training and Information of the workers the employer has the following obligations:
  1. The employer is required to develop a written occupational safety and health policy, which must be distributed within the company, with the goal of making it known to all workers.
  2. The employer has the duty to guarantee that workers have the information provided by the manufacturers, importers and suppliers so that the use and manipulation of machinery, equipment, products, raw materials and work instruments take place without risks for the safety and the health of workers.
  3. In compliance with the duty of protection, the employer is required to ensure that each worker receives information and training about hazards in their workplace and corrective measures applied to eliminate or control them.
  4. Worker's training has to be in accordance with the work position and the general preventive measures.
  5. The employer is required to train on prevention issues all members of the OSH Committee .
  6. The employer has to maintain a register with the trainings in occupational safety and health received by every worker.
  7. The employer must take the measures to inform workers about the national legislation on the protection with regard to machinery and to indicate them the hazards involved in the use of machinery and the precautions to be taken.

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 9)

• 5.1.6 Review or assessment of the results of preventive measures

  Summary/citation: Among the elements that must be contained in the OSH program is the program evaluation system.

  • Resolución núm. 04-2007 que normaliza lo relativo a las condiciones generales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo (§ 7)

• 5.1.7 Consultation with workers in health and safety

  Summary/citation: Consultation with workers is not defined as employer's duty, but as workers' right to participate in the design, adoption and implementation of preventive actions. This involvement includes consultation on risk assessment and consequent planning and organization of preventive action, as well as access to documentation.

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 4(2))

5.2 Obligation to implement a specific OSH management system or standard

6.1 OSH competence

• 6.1.1 Requirement to access expert advice and/or support in health and safety

  No data available.
  

  • 6.1.1.1 Qualifications of experts or professional services

    No data available.
    

6.2 Appointment of an OSH practitioner

• 6.2.1 Workforce size threshold for the appointment of OSH practitioners

  No data available.
  

7.1 Duty to take reasonable steps to protect their own safety and health

7.2 Duty to take reasonable steps to protect the safety and health of others

7.3 Supervisors’ duty to take reasonable steps to protect the safety and health of others

7.4 Senior officers’ duty to take reasonable steps to protect the safety and health of others

7.5 Self-employed persons’ duty to take reasonable steps to protect their own and other people’s health and safety

7.6 Duty to comply with OSH-related requirements

7.7 Right to enquire about risks and preventive measures

7.8 Right to remove themselves from a dangerous situation

7.9 Right to be reassigned to non-hazard work

• 7.9.1 Right to withdraw with compensation when workers are not reassigned to non-hazard work

  No data available.
  

8.1 National OSH committee, commission, council or similar body

• 8.1.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions

  Summary / Citation: The CONSSO has the following functions:
  a) Prepare a short, medium and long term national OSH plan;
  b) Recommend specific programs and plans to the Ministry of Labour;
  c) Promote and encourage the prevention strategies in the workplace;
  d) Promote the protection of workers against risks arising from the presence of harmful agents at work;
  e) Promote the necessary rules and regulations to ensure optimum health and safety standards in all workplaces;
  f) Propose criteria for the training of technical personnel health and safety and training of employers and workers;
  g) Promote the dissemination of methods and technical systems for the prevention of occupational hazards;
  h) Promote the development of technical guidelines, manuals, standards for the selection of safety devices and personal protective equipment for workers;
  i) Promote national and sectoral health and safety campaigns;
  j) Promote studies and research; and
  k) Hear, consider and make recommendations.
  

  • Decreto del Poder Ejecutivo núm. 989-2003 de Creación del Consejo Nacional de Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional (CONSSO) (§ 4)

• 8.1.2 Constitution and chairmanship modalities

  Summary / Citation: The CONSSO has a tripartite structure and is composed of the Minister of Labour, the Director of the General Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health of the Ministry of Labour, a representative of the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, a representative of the Social Security Institute (IDSS), a representative of the Superintendent of Health and Occupational Hazards, a representative of the Ministry of Public Health (SESPAS), a representative of the National Training Institute (INFOTEP), 3 representatives of workers, and 3 representatives of employers, elected by their most representative organizations.

  • Decreto del Poder Ejecutivo núm. 989-2003 de Creación del Consejo Nacional de Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional (CONSSO) (§ 2)

8.2 Employers’ duty to consult workers on risks

8.3 Workers’ right to select their representatives for health and safety matters

• 8.3.1 Workforce size conditions for workers’ representation in health and safety

  No data available.
  

• 8.3.2 Conditions of eligibility to represent workers in health and safety

  No data available.
  

8.4 OSH representatives’ functions, rights and powers

• 8.4.1 Right to inspect the workplace

  No data available.
  

• 8.4.2 Right to access OSH information

  No data available.
  

• 8.4.3 Right to be present at interviews

  No data available.
  

• 8.4.4 Right to receive professional assistance from OSH experts

  No data available.
  

• 8.4.5 Right to accompany inspectors

  No data available.
  

• 8.4.6 Right to use facilities

  No data available.
  

• 8.4.7 Right to have time off work with pay to perform duties

  No data available.
  

• 8.4.8 Right to issue remedial notices

  No data available.
  

• 8.4.9 Right to resolve OSH issues in consultation with employers

  No data available.
  

• 8.4.10 Right to direct that dangerous work cease

  No data available.
  

8.5 Right of workers’ representatives from outside the undertaking to address OSH issues at the workplace

• 8.5.1 Right to enter the workplace

  No data available.
  

• 8.5.2 Right to investigate suspected non-compliance with OSH legislation

  No data available.
  

• 8.5.3 Right to consult with workers

  No data available.
  

• 8.5.4 Right to advise workers

  No data available.
  

• 8.5.5 Right to initiate enforcement action

  No data available.
  

8.6 Joint OSH Committee

• 8.6.1 Participation of workers’ representatives in joint OSH committee

  Summary / Citation: The fundamental requirement to be a member of the Committee is being a worker in the company and have been elected by the staff union, or elected by the workers of the company. The employer representatives are appointed by the company management.

  • Resolución núm. 04-2007 que normaliza lo relativo a las condiciones generales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo (§ 6(3))

• 8.6.2 Conditions for establishing a joint OSH committee

  Summary / Citation: All companies with 15 or more workers are required to create OSH committees. Those with less then 15 workers are required to appoint a person to deal with OSH issues.

  • Resolución núm. 04-2007 que normaliza lo relativo a las condiciones generales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo (§ 6(1))

• 8.6.3 Objectives, roles and/or functions of joint OSH committees

  Summary / Citation: The functions and duties of the OSH committee are set out in the Law as follows:
  1. Promote safety and health in the workplace.
  2. Participate in the monitoring of the workplace conditions, official inspections, accident investigations, and in programs addressing the workers' health.
  3. Promote and provide training on safety and health at work.
  4. Facilitate the agreements that ensure the establishment and promotion of the occupational safety and health policy.
  5. Inform the employer of all hazards in the workplace that may affect the safety and health of workers.
  6. Promptly respond and resolve claims on occupational safety and health received from workers.
  7. Foster and monitor compliance of the provisions on occupational safety and health in the company.
  8. Participate in the planning of all proposals related to working conditions which affect the safety and health of workers.
  9. Report on the measures planned or implemented in the workplace related to the preservation and promotion of occupational health and safety.
  10 Make workers aware of the importance of an effective occupational safety and health.
  11 Collaborate in the organization and implementation of training programs on occupational safety and health.

  • Resolución núm. 04-2007 que normaliza lo relativo a las condiciones generales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo (§ 6(5))

• 8.6.4 Keeping record of the work of joint OSH committees

  Summary / Citation: The committee shall hold regular meetings at least once a month and send a copy of the minutes to the General Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health of the Ministry of Labour.

  • Resolución núm. 04-2007 que normaliza lo relativo a las condiciones generales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo (§ 6(4)(2))

• 8.6.5 Sharing the minutes of joint OSH committees meetings

  No data available.
  

8.7 Mandatory training for members of joint OSH committee(s)

8.8 Protection against reprisals

8.9 Immunity from civil and criminal liability for exercising OSH related rights and duties

9.1 Biological hazards

9.2 Chemical hazards

• 9.2.1 Handling, storage, labelling and use

  Yes.
  

  • Resolución núm. 04-2007 que normaliza lo relativo a las condiciones generales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo (§ 3(2))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Chemicals Convention, 1990 (No. 170) Direct Request 2016
  

• 9.2.2 Duty of manufacturers, suppliers and importers of chemicals in relation to the safety and health of users

  Summary / Citation: Manufacturers, importers and suppliers of machinery, equipment and products are required to ensure that these are not a source of danger to workers, provided they are installed and used in the conditions, manner and for the purposes recommended by them.

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 15(1))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Chemicals Convention, 1990 (No. 170) Direct Request 2016
  

• 9.2.3 Pesticides

  No data available.
  

9.3 Ergonomic hazards

9.4 Physical hazards

• 9.4.1 Ionising radiation

  Yes.
  

  • Resolución núm. 04-2007 que normaliza lo relativo a las condiciones generales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo (§ 3(4))

• 9.4.2 Vibration and noise

  Yes.
  

  • Resolución núm. 04-2007 que normaliza lo relativo a las condiciones generales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo (§§ 3(1), 3(5))

• 9.4.3 Working at height

  No data available.
  

• 9.4.4 Working in confined spaces

  No data available.
  

• 9.4.5 Risks arising from poor maintenance of workplace facilities

  No data available.
  

• 9.4.6 Exposure to extreme temperatures

  No data available.
  

• 9.4.7 Fire risks

  Summary / Citation: Workplaces must be equipped with fire fighting devices appropriate to the type of risk in the area and, if necessary, fire detectors and alarm systems.

  • Resolución núm. 04-2007 que normaliza lo relativo a las condiciones generales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo (§ 1(40))

• 9.4.8 Tobacco

  Summary / Citation: Smoking is banned in closed areas.

  • Ley núm. 48-00 del 26 de julio de 2000 de Antitabaco (§ 1)

• 9.4.9 Asbestos

  No data available.
  

• 9.4.10 Risks related to nanotechnology

  No data available.
  

• 9.4.11 Contraction of HIV in the workplace

  No data available.
  

9.5 Psychosocial hazards

• 9.5.1 Psychosocial risks

  No data available.
  

• 9.5.2 Occupational violence

  No data available.
  

9.6 Other hazardous substances

9.7 Machineries

• 9.7.1 Risks related to machinery and tools

  Summary / Citation: There is a specific section in the 2007 Resolution on "Conditions in which tools and machinery must be used".

  • Resolución núm. 04-2007 que normaliza lo relativo a las condiciones generales de seguridad y salud en el trabajo (§ 2)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Guarding of Machinery Convention, 1963 (No. 119) Direct Request 2010
  

• 9.7.2 Duty of designers and/or manufacturers of machineries in relation to the occupational safety and health of operators of machineries

  Summary / Citation: Manufacturers, importers and suppliers of machinery, equipment, products and equipment are required to ensure that these are not a source of danger to workers, provided they are installed and used in the conditions, manner and for the purposes recommended by them.

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 15(1))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Guarding of Machinery Convention, 1963 (No. 119) Direct Request 2010
  

• 9.7.3 Duty of designers, manufacturers, importers or suppliers of machineries to provide machineries information

  Summary / Citation: Manufacturers, importers and suppliers, must provide written information indicating the correct use of work, and the extent of intervention, in an emergency, additional preventive measures to be taken and occupational hazards involving both normal use and handling or improper use.

  Manufacturers, importers and suppliers should provide employers, and they collect from those, the information necessary for the use and handling of machinery, equipment, products, materials and equipment which have been produced without safety and health risks for workers and employers, in order
  to fulfil their reporting obligations towards the workers. Instructions on the risks should be in Spanish and providing prevention symbols.

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§§ 15(3)-15(5))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Guarding of Machinery Convention, 1963 (No. 119) Direct Request 2010
  

• 9.7.4 Duty to purchase machineries from authorised/certificated suppliers or only if approved/certificated

  Summary / Citation: Manufacturers, importers and suppliers of components are required to ensure their effectiveness for the protection of employees, provided they are installed and used under the conditions and in the manner recommended by them. To this end, they must give the certified information indicating the type of risk to which they are addressed, the level of protection against it and the correct use and maintenance. Protective equipment supplied must be certified by international organizations for such purposes or guaranteed by an institution authorized by Dominican law for such purposes.

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 15(4))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Guarding of Machinery Convention, 1963 (No. 119) Direct Request 2010
  

• 9.7.5 Maintenance of machinery and equipment

  No data available.
  

  • 9.7.5.1 List of equipment where applicable

    No data available.
    

9.8 Provisions to protect workers in specific condition of vulnerability

• 9.8.1 Protection of pregnancy at work

  Summary / Citation: A pregnant worker cannot be required to carry out tasks which involve physical effort not compatible with her state of pregnancy (§ 234).

  If as a result of pregnancy or childbirth, the tasks that the worker carry out are harmful to her health or the health of her child and so it is evidenced by a certificate issued by a doctor, the employer is bound to facilitate the change of tasks of the worker (§ 235).

  The worker has the right to take a break during the six weeks preceding the to the expected date of childbirth and six weeks afterwards (§ 236).

  • Ley núm. 16-92 que aprueba el Código de Trabajo. (§§ 234-236)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183) Direct Request 2020
  

• 9.8.2 Protection of lactating women at work

  Summary / Citation: The Law enshrines the right of the lactating worker to breastfeed her child, allowing the worker to have at least three 20-minute paid breaks per day in order to do that.
  (Ley núm. 16-92 que aprueba el Código de Trabajo, § 240)

  It is foreseen that "Las Secretarías de Estado de Salud Pública y Asistencia Social (SESPAS) y de Trabajo", jointly with "el Instituto Dominicano de seguros Sociales (IDSS)" will ensure that in all industrial establishments assigned physical spaces exclusively reserved to mothers to breastfeed their children up to the age of 6 months.
  (Ley núm. 8-95 del 19 de septiembre de 1995 que declara como Prioridad Nacional la Promoción y Fomento de la Lactancia Materna, § 8)

  • Ley núm. 8-95 del 19 de septiembre de 1995 que declara como Prioridad Nacional la Promoción y Fomento de la Lactancia Materna (§ 8)

  • Ley núm. 16-92 que aprueba el Código de Trabajo. (§ 240)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Maternity Protection Convention, 2000 (No. 183) Direct Request 2020
  

• 9.8.3 Limits to women’s access to specific occupations, undertakings or shifts

  No data available.
  

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Underground Work (Women) Convention, 1935 (No. 45) Observation 1995
  • Underground Work (Women) Convention, 1935 (No. 45) Observation 1995
  • Underground Work (Women) Convention, 1935 (No. 45) Direct Request 2011
  

• 9.8.4 Limits to workers’ access to specific occupations, undertakings or shifts by reason of age

  Summary / Citation: The engagement of minors under the age of sixteen in hazardous or unhealthy is forbidden.
  (Ley núm. 16-92 que aprueba el Código de Trabajo, § 251)

  A detailed list of forbidden works for minors under the age of eighteen is provided by Resolution No. 52/2004 on Hazardous and Unhealthy Works for Minors under 18.
  The employment of children under fourteen is forbidden. However, in the interests of art, science or education, the Secretary of Labour,
  may authorize children under fourteen to participate in public performances, radio, television or movies film as actors or extras.
  (Resolución núm 52-2004 sobre Trabajos Peligrosos e Insalubres para Personas Menores de 18 Años, § 2)

  The persons under sixteen cannot work at night for a period of twelve consecutive hours, minors under the age of sixteen performing work in family businesses where only the parents and their children work.
  The working day of minors under the age of sixteen cannot exceed, in any circumstances, six hours per day.
  The employer cannot employ minors under the age of eighteen in street trade without prior permission of the Department of Labour or the local authority exercising its functions.
  Minors under the age of sixteen cannot be employed in the distribution or delivery of goods or messages services.
  Minors under the age of sixteen cannot be employed in the sale of alcoholic beverages.
  (Ley núm. 16-92 que aprueba el Código de Trabajo, §§ 245-253)

  • Resolución núm. 52/4004 sobre trabajos peligrosos e insalubres para personas menores de 18 años. (§ 2)

  • Ley núm. 16-92 que aprueba el Código de Trabajo. (§§ 245-253)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) Observation 2017
  • Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) Direct Request 2017
  

10.1 Duty to record and/or investigate the causes of work accidents, near misses incidents and cases of occupational diseases

• 10.1.1 Work-related accidents

  Summary / Citation: Employers must record data on all accidents and damages taking place during the work or connected to it.

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 6(1)(3))

• 10.1.2 Near miss incidents

  No data available.
  

• 10.1.3 Occupational diseases

  No data available.
  

10.2 Employers’ duty to notify OSH authorities of work related death and/or injuries to health

11.1 Appointment of OSH inspectors

11.2 OSH inspectors’ powers

• 11.2.1 Power to enter workplaces

  Summary / Citation: Labour inspectors are entitled to enter freely and without notice in the workplace, trying not to unnecessarily interrupt the work being undertaken.

  • Ley núm. 16-92 que aprueba el Código de Trabajo. (§ 434(1))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2016
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2016
  

• 11.2.2 Power to inspect and carry out any examination, test or enquiry

  Summary / Citation: Labour inspectors are entitled to carry out any examination, test or investigation they deem necessary to make sure that the workplace is in compliance with the applicable laws, and in particular: a) to examine any matter concerning the application of legal provisions, alone or in the presence of witnesses, the employer and the company staff; b) to request records or documents that the laws and regulations of work provide to be kept and make copies or extracts from them; c) to require the placement of warning signals and notices established in laws and regulations.

  • Ley núm. 16-92 que aprueba el Código de Trabajo. (§ 434(1))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2016
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2016
  

• 11.2.3 Power to investigate

  Summary / Citation: Labour inspectors are entitled to carry out any examination, test or investigation they deem necessary to make sure that the workplace is in compliance with the applicable laws, and in particular: a) to examine any matter concerning the application of legal provisions, alone or in the presence of witnesses, the employer and the company staff; b) to request records or documents that the laws and regulations of work provide to be kept and make copies or extracts from them; c) to require the placement of warning signals and notices established in laws and regulations.

  • Ley núm. 16-92 que aprueba el Código de Trabajo. (§ 434(1))

• 11.2.4 Duty to provide advice on OSH

  Summary / Citation: Labour inspectors are expected to inform the employer and provide the adequate technical advice in those cases where they notice irregularities or conditions that may cause injuries to workers or the employer.

  • Ley núm. 16-92 que aprueba el Código de Trabajo. (§ 436)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2016
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2016
  

11.3 OSH inspectors’ enforcement powers

• 11.3.1 Power to issue orders or notices

  Summary / Citation: In case of imminent danger to the health and safety of workers, labour inspectors may order appropriate action.

  • Ley núm. 16-92 que aprueba el Código de Trabajo. (§ 436)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2016
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2016
  

• 11.3.2 Power to impose financial penalties

  No data available.
  

• 11.3.3 Power to revoke or suspend licenses or authorisations

  No data available.
  

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2016
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2016
  

• 11.3.4 Power to require the cessation of dangerous work

  Summary / Citation: In case of imminent danger to the safety and health of workers, the labour inspector may order immediately relevant enforcement measures, including work stoppage. The cessation of activities will be communicated on the same day to the Department of Labour, which will request to the Directorate General of Safety and Health at Work a technical evaluation of the safety and health conditions, so that it can issue recommendations based on it.
  

  • Decreto núm. 522-06 que aprueba el Reglamento de Seguridad y Salud en el Trabajo (§ 13)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2016
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2016
  

• 11.3.5 Power to initiate prosecutions

  No data available.
  

• 11.3.6 Power to conduct prosecutions

  No data available.
  

• 11.3.7 Other enforcement powers

  No data available.
  

11.4 Application of sanctions by courts

• 11.4.1 Financial penalties for legal persons

  Summary / Citation: Penalties range from 6 to 12 minimum wages. In case of relapse the amount of the fine will be increased in fifty per cent of its value.

  • Ley núm. 16-92 que aprueba el Código de Trabajo. (§ 722)

• 11.4.2 Financial penalties for natural persons

  Summary / Citation: Penalties range from 6 to 12 minimum wages. In case of relapse the amount of the fine will be increased in fifty per cent of its value.

  • Ley núm. 16-92 que aprueba el Código de Trabajo. (§ 721)

• 11.4.3 Non-financial sanctions

  No data available.
  

• 11.4.4 Criminal liability

  Summary / Citation: Whoever by negligence, recklessness or breach of regulations, commits manslaughter will be punished by imprisonment from three months to two years and a fine of twenty-five (0.626571 USD) to one hundred pesos (2.50502 USD).
  If recklessness or carelessness caused only harm or injury, the imprisonment will be from six days to two months, and the fine from ten (0.250923 USD) to fifty dollars (1.25595 USD), or one of these two penalties. In this case when involuntary harm or injury only cause illness or disability for work lasting less than ten days, or do not cause any disease or disability, the penalties set out in this article will be reduced to the half, and enforced by the Justices of the Peace.

  Fines fixed in the Criminal Law whose value is less than one third part of the minimum wage in the public sector, hereinafter will rise to that amount.

  • Decreto núm. 2274 por el que se sanciona el Código Penal de la República Dominicana. (§§ 319-320)

• 11.4.5 Terms of imprisonment for natural persons

  Summary / Citation: Minimum: 6 days
  Maximum: 2 years

  • Decreto núm. 2274 por el que se sanciona el Código Penal de la República Dominicana. (§§ 319-320)