Panama - 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

    No data available.
    

  • 2.2.1.2 Domestic workers

    No data available.
    

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

  • 2.2.1.3 Home workers

    Summary/citation: Not defined in the leading OSH Law, but the Labour Code establishes that homework must abide the OSH regulations, although the person who carries out the work is the person responsible for complying with the provisions.

    • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§ 285)

  • 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: Included. The Labour Code is not applicable to the public sector (Código de Trabajo, § 2, 2nd Para.) and to the agricultural cooperatives or agro-industrial companies which are governed by the special statute which shall be issued for that purpose (Código de Trabajo, § 3). However the OSH Regulation is binding for any worker and employer from both the private and the public sector (Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo, § 3).

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 3)

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§§ 2-3)

• 2.4.2 Construction

  Summary/citation: Included. The Labour Code is not applicable to the public sector (Código de Trabajo, § 2, 2nd Para.) and to the agricultural cooperatives or agro-industrial companies which are governed by the special statute which shall be issued for that purpose (Código de Trabajo, § 3). However the OSH Regulation is binding for any worker and employer from both the private and the public sector (Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo, § 3).

  There is a specific Decree that regulate the safety and health measures in the construction sector (Decreto Ejecutivo núm. 2 por el que se raglamenta la seguridad, Salud e Higiene en la Industria de la Construcción).

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 3)

  • Decreto Ejecutivo núm. 2 por el cual se reglamenta la Seguridad, Salud e Higiene en la Industria de la Construcción.

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§§ 2-3)

  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 2015
  

• 2.4.3 Services

  Summary/citation: Included. The Labour Code is not applicable to the public sector (Código de Trabajo, § 2, 2nd Para.) and to the agricultural cooperatives or agro-industrial companies which are governed by the special statute which shall be issued for that purpose (Código de Trabajo, § 3). However the OSH Regulation is binding for any worker and employer from both the private and the public sector (Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo, § 3).

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 3)

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§§ 2-3)

• 2.4.4 Public sector

  Summary/citation: Included. The Labour Code is not applicable to the public sector (Código de Trabajo, § 2, 2nd Para.) and to the agricultural cooperatives or agro-industrial companies which are governed by the special statute which shall be issued for that purpose (Código de Trabajo, § 3). However the OSH Regulation is binding for any worker and employer from both the private and the public sector (Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo, § 3).

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 3)

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§§ 2-3)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Clauses (Public Contracts) Convention, 1949 (No. 94) Observation 2017
  • Labour Clauses (Public Contracts) Convention, 1949 (No. 94) Direct Request 2013
  

• 2.4.5 Other

  No data available.
  

2.5 Definition of occupational accident

2.6 Definition of occupational disease

• 2.6.1 List of occupational diseases

  Summary/citation: The law requires a list to be adopted by the Board of Directors of the Social Security Fund.

  • Decreto de Gabinete núm. 68, de 31 de marzo de 1970, por el que se centraliza en la Caja de Seguro Social la cobertura obligatoria de los riesgos profesionales para todos los trabajadores del Estado y de las empresas particulares que operan en la República. (§ 4(b))

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§ 295)

• 2.6.2 Mechanism for compensating other diseases as occupational ones

  Summary/citation: In case it is proved that a desease has a professional nature/origin even it is not included in the list of professional diseases, the worker is entitled to receive compensations and benefits that apply.

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§ 295)

3.1 Competent national authority for safety and health at work

• 3.1.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions

  Summary/citation: Ensure that insured persons have the economical means to subsist in case of retirement, sickness, maternity, disability, family allowances, widows, orphans, funeral assistance, occupational accidents diseases in accordance with the terms, limits and conditions laid down in the Constitution and the law, and the financial possibilities of the institution.

  • Ley núm. 51 de 27 de diciembre de 2005 que reforma la Ley Orgánica de la Caja de Seguro Social y dicta otras disposiciones. (§ 2)

• 3.1.2 Chairperson and composition

  Remarks / comments: The composition of the Social Security Fund can be checked on its official website http://www.css.gob.pa/organigrama.html

3.2 National OSH research programme or institute

• 3.2.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions

  No data available.
  

• 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

  No data available.
  

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

  Summary / Citation: The obligation to undergo through medical examinations is not related to a list of specific hazards. The law defines professional hazards as the occupational accidents and diseases to which the workers are exposed when they carry out work tasks on behalf of an employer.

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§ 291)

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: Employers are required to keep within the work area, a clearly marked first aid kit, which is clean and in order, provided with the necessary elements to cure minor injuries that occur at work.

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 19)

• 4.8.2 Sanitary installations

  Summary / Citation: The law requires workplaces to provide suitable and adequate sanitary facilities for male and female staff to use. People with physical disabilities must also be able to use them. The number, dimensions, characteristics and location of elements necessary for personal hygiene, such as the number of toilets, urinals, showers and sinks, each workplace will be set according to the economic activity and number of workers according to the applicable legislation.

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 14)

• 4.8.3 Drinking water

  Summary / Citation: Employers are required to provide drinking water in sufficient quantity and satisfactory conditions to workers (Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo, § 12).

  Preventive measures have to be taken in order to avoid water contamination (Código de Trabajo, § 283(5).

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 12)

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§ 283(5))

• 4.8.4 Rest and eating areas

  Summary / Citation: Employers are required to provide changing rooms, to establish appropriate places for workers to consume food or beverages in the workplace and enable special places for rest and recreation of workers.

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§ 283(6)-(7), 287(3)-(4))

5.1 Elements of an OSH management system

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

  No data available.
  

• 5.1.2 Appointment of a person for health and safety

  Summary/citation: Companies with more then 100 workers are required to hire services of a professional or technical expert in occupational health and safety to assume the functions of ensuring the safety and health at work.

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 26(e))

• 5.1.3 Written risk assessment

  No data available.
  

• 5.1.4 Safe operating work systems and procedures

  Summary/citation: The law requires employers to implement the necessary measures to effectively protect the lives and health of workers, ensuring their safety and health, conditioning and providing PPEs and adopting methods to prevent, reduce and eliminate occupational hazards in the workplace.

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§ 282)

• 5.1.5 Training and information on risks

  Summary/citation: Employers have the responsibility to provide training on OSH and prevention of occupational risks to workers.
  Employers are also required to provide workers with time off from work to be able to participate in any trainings on OSH. (Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo, §§ 6(f),(k))

  Employers also have the obligation to inform workers on machinery protection and any risks involved in their work (Código de Trabajo, § 286).
  

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§§ 6(f),(k))

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§ 286)

• 5.1.6 Review or assessment of the results of preventive measures

  No data available.
  

• 5.1.7 Consultation with workers in health and safety

  Summary/citation: The obligation of employers to consult with workers with regard to all aspects of OSH prevention system is not established in the Law. Nevertheless it is established that workers are required to participate actively in the creation of safety and health management systems which employers are under a duty to put in place.

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 23)

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

  Summary/citation: Companies with more then 100 workers.

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 26(c))

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

  Summary / Citation: Workers can put an end to the employment relationship with the right to receive a compensation for unfair dismissal when the employer does not comply with the OSH regulations.

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§ 223(9))

8.1 National OSH committee, commission, council or similar body

• 8.1.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions

  Summary / Citation: The OSH Technical Interinstitutional Committee has the following functions:
  1. Promote a state policy and develop a national occupational safety and health programme.
  2. Issue advices on OSH matters.
  3. Ensure that productive enterprises that generate goods and services have a safe and healthy working environment.
  4. Promote among the government, employers and workers a safety and health practice at work.
  5. Establish means of cooperation and coordination among the various state agencies whose functions are relating to OSH.
  6. Establish an interinstitutional information system for the development of technical standards, OSH inspection systems and OSH statistics.
  7.Create its own regulations, which will be submitted for approval to the Executive Organism.

  • Decreto Ejecutivo núm. 31 de 12 de mayo de 2008 que modifica el Decreto Ejecutivo núm. 21 de 2 de abril de 1997 por el cual se crea el Comité Técnico Institucional de Salud, Higierne y Seguridad Ocupacional. (§ 3)

• 8.1.2 Constitution and chairmanship modalities

  Summary / Citation: 1. The Minister of Labour and Workforce Development, who will preside.
  2. Two officials from the Ministry of Labor and Workforce Development.
  3. Two Health Ministry officials.
  4. Two central government officials from the Social Security Fund, one of them belonging to the OSH Programme and the other one to the Professional Risks Programme.
  5. Two officials from the Ministry of Agricultural Development, one of them belonging to the Animal Health Directorate, and the other to Plant Health Directorate.
  6. Two officials from the Ministry of Education, one representing Social Welfare and other Human Resources.
  7. Two officials the Ministry of Public Works.
  8. One official from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

  • Decreto Ejecutivo núm. 31 de 12 de mayo de 2008 que modifica el Decreto Ejecutivo núm. 21 de 2 de abril de 1997 por el cual se crea el Comité Técnico Institucional de Salud, Higierne y Seguridad Ocupacional. (§ 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 OSH Committee is a group of people made ​​up of representatives of workers and representatives of the administration of the company, which must operate as an OSH organism to promote, prevent and monitor OSH systems placed in the organization.

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 1(e))

• 8.6.2 Conditions for establishing a joint OSH committee

  Summary / Citation: There is not any provision in the law that establishes certain requirements for the company in order to create an OSH Committee. Therefore, it should be understood that the establishment OSH Committees is mandatory for all companies. Nevertheless, it is said that the number of the members of the OSH Committee will depend on the nature and circumstances of each company.

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 27)

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

  Summary / Citation: The OSH Committee must operate as an OSH organism to promote, prevent and monitor OSH systems placed in the organization. In the companies where collective agreements and internal regulations are put in place and approved by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, the obligations set out in those documents will be assumed by the OSH Committee.

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 27)

• 8.6.4 Keeping record of the work of joint OSH committees

  No data available.
  

• 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

  Summary / Citation: The Law establishes that solid, liquid or gas chemicals that could contaminate the work environment and interfere in the health of workers must be kept under the maximum level allowed by the law governing the use of each specific material (Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo, § 10(c)).

  There are specific technical Regulations on OSH conditions to control the contamination produced by chemical substances approved with the objective to prevent and protect workers' health and improve the OSH conditions at the workplaces where chemical substances are produced, storage or used (Reglamento técnico DGNTI-COPANIT 43-2001 de Higiene y Seguridad Industrial (Sustancias Químicas)).

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 10(c))

  • Reglamento técnico DGNTI-COPANIT 43-2001 de Higiene y Seguridad Industrial para el Control de la Contaminación Atmosférica en Ambientes de Trabajo Producida por Sustancias Químicas

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

  Summary / Citation: The supplier (manufacturer, importer or distributor) has the obligation to provide the company with a safety data sheet for each chemical to be handled in the workplace.

  • Reglamento técnico DGNTI-COPANIT 43-2001 de Higiene y Seguridad Industrial para el Control de la Contaminación Atmosférica en Ambientes de Trabajo Producida por Sustancias Químicas (§ 7(1))

• 9.2.3 Pesticides

  Summary / Citation: When fumigation is undertaken in order to control pests in the workplace, chemical substances should be applied under conditions that do not affect the health of workers, taking into account the following:
  a) The chemical must have current registration in the Ministry of Agricultural Development or competent authority.
  b) The technical datasheet established by the manufacturer of the product regarding the application, preparation and dosage thereof as well as the percentages and amounts of each component and the appropriate
  diluents to be employed.
  c) The safety datasheet, provided by the manufacturer.
  d) The health standards and regulations currently in force.

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 22)

9.3 Ergonomic hazards

9.4 Physical hazards

• 9.4.1 Ionising radiation

  Summary / Citation: Workers must be protected from dangerous radiations (Código de Trabajo, § 284(2)).

  There is a specific Regulation on Protection from Radiation from 2010 (Reglamento de Protección Radiológica).

  • Decreto ejecutivo núm. 770 de 16 de agosto de 2010 que adopta el Reglamento de Protección Radiológica

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§ 284(2))

• 9.4.2 Vibration and noise

  Summary / Citation: The law requires that vibrations and noises that could be harmful to the health of workers are eliminated (Código de Trabajo, § 283(8)).

  There are special regulations on Noise and Vibration established by the Comisión Panameña de Normas Industriales y Técnicas (COPANIT) which operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The objective of these Regulations is to prevent and protect workers' health and improve the OSH conditions at the workplaces where noise/vibrations are generated or transmitted and which could interfere in workers' health, and to establish the correlation between maximum authorised level of noise/vibration and maximum authorised time per day for workers to be exposed under the effects of the noise/ vibration (Reglamento técnico de Higiene y Seguridad (Vibración), Reglamento Técnico de Higiene y Seguridad Industrial (Ruido)).

  • Reglamento técnico DGNTI-COPANIT 44-2000 de Higiene y Seguridad Industrial. Condiciones de Higiene y Seguridad en Ambientes de Trabajo donde se Generen Vibraciones

  • Reglamento técnico DGNTI-COPANIT 44-2000 de Higiene y Seguridad Industrial. Condiciones de Higiene y Seguridad en Ambientes de Trabajo donde se Genere Ruido

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§ 283(8))

• 9.4.3 Working at height

  No data available.
  

• 9.4.4 Working in confined spaces

  Summary / Citation: The surface and the height of the work premises must be sufficient in order to prevent agglomeration of workers and clogging caused by machinery, materials and products.

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§ 283(2))

• 9.4.5 Risks arising from poor maintenance of workplace facilities

  Summary / Citation: There are a number of provisions establishing the maintenance rules which have to be applied at the workplace.

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 11)

• 9.4.6 Exposure to extreme temperatures

  Summary / Citation: It is only established that it is obligatory to maintain an accurate temperature at the workplace.

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§ 283(4))

• 9.4.7 Fire risks

  Summary / Citation: Employers have to ensure that the workplace comply with the requirements regarding fire risks, which have been issued by the competent authority.
  Precautions will be taken in those workplaces where processes or materials used can easily burst into flames, generate smoke and toxic gases or cause explosions in the event of a fire.
  

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 21)

• 9.4.8 Tobacco

  Summary / Citation: Smoking is forbidden in closed workplaces.

  • Ley núm. 13 de 24 de enero de 2008 que adopta medidas para el control del tabaco (§ 5(6))

• 9.4.9 Asbestos

  Summary / Citation: There is a specific Regulation regarding the handling, storage and transport of asbestos.

  • Resolución núm. 50 del Ministerio de Salud de 23 de junio de 1999 que aprueba el Reglamento Sanitario para el Manejo, Almacenamiento y Transporte de Asbesto en la República de Panama

• 9.4.10 Risks related to nanotechnology

  No data available.
  

• 9.4.11 Contraction of HIV in the workplace

  Summary / Citation: There is a specific Law on HIV which contains a number of provisions regarding the contraction and prevention of HIV in the workplace

  • Ley núm. 3, Ley General sobre las Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual, el Virus de la Inmunodeficiencia Humana y el Sida.

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: When rolling, electronic and machinery equipment's are used in the workplace, the inspection, evaluation and periodic maintenance of equipment must be ensured (Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo, § 11(j)).

  The employer also has the obligation to inform all workers concerning the protection of machinery and instruct them about the dangers involved in using machines and the precautions to be observed. The employer is under a duty to place protective devices that can be used, and workers are obliged to comply with the rules regarding the protective devices the machinery has. (Código de Trabajo, § 286)

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 11(j))

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§ 286)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Guarding of Machinery Convention, 1963 (No. 119) Direct Request 1989
  

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

  No data available.
  

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Guarding of Machinery Convention, 1963 (No. 119) Direct Request 1989
  

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

  No data available.
  

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Guarding of Machinery Convention, 1963 (No. 119) Direct Request 1989
  

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

  No data available.
  

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Guarding of Machinery Convention, 1963 (No. 119) Direct Request 1989
  

• 9.7.5 Maintenance of machinery and equipment

  Summary / Citation: When rolling, electronic and machinery equipment's are used in the workplace, the inspection, evaluation and periodic maintenance of equipment must be ensured.

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 11(j))

  • 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: The protection of maternity is a duty of the State.

  Pregnant workers will have a compulsory paid leave during the six weeks preceding the birth and the eight that follow. In any case the total rest period cannot be less than fourteen weeks. In case of delay of the childbirth, the worker will be entitled to be awarded a paid leave the eight weeks following the childbirth.

  Pregnant women cannot work extra days. If the worker is working in shifts the employer is obliged to make the necessary arrangements so that the worker will not be subject to serve in nights and mixed shifts and rotations. The employer will also take the necessary arrangements so that pregnant workers will not be subject to perform inadequate or harmful tasks for their pregnancy (Código de Trabajo, Art. 105,107 and 116).

  Pregnant and nursing workers have the right not to expose themselves to hazards (Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo, Art. 8.b).

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 8(b))

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§§ 105,107,116)

• 9.8.2 Protection of lactating women at work

  Summary / Citation: Every lactating worker is entitled to take a paid 15-minute break every 3 hours or 30-minute break twice per working day in order to breastfeed her child in the workplace. The employer will provide some means of rest within the possibilities of their work and maintain a sufficient number of chairs or seats available to workers. Any employer who employs more than twenty women, is under the duty to provide a place for mothers to safely breastfeed their children. This requirement will be met within the economic possibilities of the employer and will be subject to approval of the General or Regional Labour Directorate. (Código de Trabajo, § 114)

  Pregnant and nursing workers have the right not to expose themselves to hazards (Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo, § 8(b)).

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 8(b))

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§ 114)

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

  Summary / Citation: Labor is prohibited for women in a number of unhealthy activities determined by the Ministry of Labour and Social Development.

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§ 104(2))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Underground Work (Women) Convention, 1935 (No. 45) Direct Request 2004
  

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

  Summary / Citation: Labour is forbidden for:
  1. Children under the age of fourteen.
  2. Minors under the age of fifteen who have not completed primary education.

  It is forbidden for minors under eighteen to be engaged in a work which because of its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out could be dangerous to life, health or morals of the workers. The following work activities are forbidden for minors:
  1. Jobs in clubs, bars and other places where alcoholic drinks are sold by the worker.
  2. Transport of passengers and goods by road, rail, air, roads and works at docks, wharves and warehouses.
  3. Works related to the generation, transformation and transmission of electricity.
  4. Handling inflammable or explosive substances.
  5. Underground work in mines, quarries, tunnels or sewers.
  6. Handling of substances, devices or appliances that exposes the worker to the effects of radioactivity.

  In agricultural exploitations, children from the age of twelve to the age of fifteen may be employed only in light work and outside the school hours.

  It is also prohibited to work under the age of eighteen:
  1. During night hours, between six in the evening and eight o'clock in the morning.
  2. Extraordinary work or during Sundays or national holidays.
  

  • Decreto del Gabinete 252 por el cual se aprueba el Código de Trabajo (§§ 117-120)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) Observation 2013
  • Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) Direct Request 2020
  

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

  No data available.
  

• 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: It is not specified that inspectors shall be appointed to carry out OSH- related duties. However, the Law places the employer under a duty to allow officials from the Social Security Fund to inspect and monitor the workplace in order to ensure compliance with the rules on OSH, to provide them facilities, and provide them with the information and documents that are required by the law.
  (Resolución núm. 45.588 de 2011 que aprueba el Reglamento General de prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo § 6(g)).

  The Social Security Fund is the competent authority to inspect workplaces and to control the compliance with OSH Regulations.
  (Ley núm. 51 de 27 de diciembre de 2005 que reforma la Ley Orgánica de la Caja de Seguro Social, § 8)

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 6(g))

  • Ley núm. 51 de 27 de diciembre de 2005 que reforma la Ley Orgánica de la Caja de Seguro Social y dicta otras disposiciones. (§ 8)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2016
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
  

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

  Summary / Citation: It is not specified that inspectors shall be appointed to carry out OSH- related duties. However, the Law places the employer under a duty to allow officials from the Social Security Fund to inspect and monitor the workplace in order to ensure compliance with the rules on OSH, to provide them facilities, and provide them with the information and documents that are required by the law.
  (Resolución núm. 45.588 de 2011 que aprueba el Reglamento General de prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo § 6(g)).

  The Social Security Fund is the competent authority to inspect workplaces and to control the compliance with OSH Regulations.
  (Ley núm. 51 de 27 de diciembre de 2005 que reforma la Ley Orgánica de la Caja de Seguro Social, § 8)

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 6(g))

  • Ley núm. 51 de 27 de diciembre de 2005 que reforma la Ley Orgánica de la Caja de Seguro Social y dicta otras disposiciones. (§ 8)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2016
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
  

• 11.2.3 Power to investigate

  Summary / Citation: It is not specified that inspectors shall be appointed to carry out OSH- related duties. However, the Law places the employer under a duty to allow officials from the Social Security Fund to inspect and monitor the workplace in order to ensure compliance with the rules on OSH, to provide them facilities, and provide them with the information and documents that are required by the law.
  (Resolución núm. 45.588 de 2011 que aprueba el Reglamento General de prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene en el Trabajo § 6(g)).

  The Social Security Fund is the competent authority to inspect workplaces and to control the compliance with OSH Regulations.
  (Ley núm. 51 de 27 de diciembre de 2005 que reforma la Ley Orgánica de la Caja de Seguro Social, § 8)

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo ( § 6(g))

  • Ley núm. 51 de 27 de diciembre de 2005 que reforma la Ley Orgánica de la Caja de Seguro Social y dicta otras disposiciones. (§ 8)

• 11.2.4 Duty to provide advice on OSH

  No data available.
  

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2016
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
  

11.3 OSH inspectors’ enforcement powers

• 11.3.1 Power to issue orders or notices

  No data available.
  

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2016
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
  

• 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 2020
  

• 11.3.4 Power to require the cessation of dangerous work

  No data available.
  

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2016
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
  

• 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: Minimum: 10 Panamanian Balboa [10 USD]
  Maximum: 1000 Panamanian Balboa [1000 USD]

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§§ 33-35)

• 11.4.2 Financial penalties for natural persons

  Summary / Citation: Minimum: 10 Panamanian Balboa [10 USD]
  Maximum: 1000 Panamanian Balboa [1000 USD]

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§§ 33-35)

• 11.4.3 Non-financial sanctions

  Summary / Citation: The Directorate General of the Social Security Fund can cease the activity of the enterprise.

  • Resolución núm. 45.588-2011-J.D. que aprueba el Reglamento General de Prevención de Riesgos Profesionales y de Seguridad e Higiene del Trabajo (§ 35)

• 11.4.4 Criminal liability

  Summary / Citation: Legal provisions provide the possibility of prosecution for manslaughter under the mainstream criminal law.

  • Ley núm. 14 de 18 de mayo de 2007 que adopta el Código Penal. (§ 133)

• 11.4.5 Terms of imprisonment for natural persons

  Summary / Citation: Penalty of imprisonment in case of manslaughter:
  Minimum: 3 years
  Maximum: 6 years
  It is specifically indicated that the penalty will be increased in two-thirds (as maximum) when the death of the worker/third person occurs as a result of the omission or negligence of the person responsible of the safety and health measures in the construction.

  • Ley núm. 14 de 18 de mayo de 2007 que adopta el Código Penal. (§ 133)