Portugal - 2014

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

  Yes.
  

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

  • 2.2.1.1 Migrant workers

    Summary/citation: No provisions exclude migrant workers from the definition of portuguese OSH regulations.
    Migrant workers have the right to equal treatment. Foreign workers that have a legal permitt to work in Portugal have the same rights and obligations as any national worker.
    Any worker has the right to equal treatment regarding the working conditions and cannot be discriminated on the basis of nationality, race, territory of origin or language (...).

    • Ley núm. 7/2009 de 12 de febrero que aprueba la revisión del Código de Trabajo. (Art. 4; Art. 24(1))

    Related CEACR Comments
    • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
    • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
    

  • 2.2.1.2 Domestic workers

    Summary/citation: The principles of Law 102/2009 are aplicable, whenever they are compatible, to domestic workers.
    The employer shall take appropriate measures to protect the domestic workers from risks related to the workplace, instruments and methods of work.

    • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art.3(3))

    • Decreto ley núm. 235/92 por el que se establece el régimen jurídico de las relaciones de trabajo emergentes del contrato de servicio doméstico. (Art. 26 (1) (a) (b) (c) (d) (e))

    Related CEACR Comments
    • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
    • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
    • Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) Direct Request 2018
    

  • 2.2.1.3 Home workers

    Summary/citation: The principles of Law 102/2009 are aplicable, whenever compatible, to those who are economically dependent on the employer even if they are not employed under a contract of employment.
    The home worker falls under the legal portuguese framework OSH provisions, and the one that benefits from the activity of the worker has the same obligations as any employer.

    • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art.3(3))

    • Ley núm. 101/2009 de 8 de septiembre por la que se establece el régimen jurídico del trabajo a domicilio. (Art.5)

    Related CEACR Comments
    • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
    • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
    

  • 2.2.1.4 Self-employed persons

    Summary/citation: The Law 102/2009 is applicable to self-employed persons (independent workers).

    • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art.3)1) (c); Art. 4(b))

2.3 Definition of employer

2.4 Exclusion of branches of economic activity

• 2.4.1 Agriculture

  Summary/citation: Agriculture is included.
  The Law 102/2009 applies to all branches of activity, in the private, cooperative and social sector.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 3(1) (a))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  • Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184) Direct Request 2016
  

• 2.4.2 Construction

  Summary/citation: Construction is included.
  The Law 102/2009 applies to all branches of activity, in the private, cooperative and social sector.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 3(1) (a))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 2.4.3 Services

  Summary/citation: Services are included.
  The Law 102/2009 applies to all branches of activity, in the private, cooperative and social sector.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 3(1) (a))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 2.4.4 Public sector

  Summary/citation: Excluded.
  The Law 102/2009 applies to all branches of activity, in the private, cooperative and social sector.
  OSH framework for the public sector is provided by Law 59/2008.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 3(1) (a))

  • Ley núm. 59/2008 que aprueba el Régimen de Contrato de Trabajo en la Función Pública. (Art. 221-229; Art. 132-204 Annex II)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 2.4.5 Other

  No data available.
  

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (No. 176) Observation 2010
  • Safety and Health in Mines Convention, 1995 (No. 176) Direct Request 2015
  

2.5 Definition of occupational accident

2.6 Definition of occupational disease

• 2.6.1 List of occupational diseases

  Summary/citation: The list of occupational diseases is published as an annex to Decree 76/2007.

  • Decreto Reglamentario núm. 76/2007 por el que se modifica el Decreto Reglamentario núm. 6/2001, de 5 de mayo de 2007, que aprueba la lista de las enfermedades profesionales y el respectivo índice codificado. (Art.1)

• 2.6.2 Mechanism for compensating other diseases as occupational ones

  Summary/citation: Non-fatal injury, other types of harm or illness not included on the list of occupational diseases are compensated if they are proven to be a necessary consequence of an exposure to risk factors arising from work activities and do not represent the normal wear of the body.

  • Ley núm. 98/2009 que reglamenta el régimen de reparación de accidentes de trabajo y enfermedades profesionales, incluida la rehabilitación y reinserción profesionales, en los términos del artículo 284 del Código de Trabajo, aprobado por la Ley núm. 7/2009, de 12 de febrero. (Art. 94(2))

3.1 Competent national authority for safety and health at work

• 3.1.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions

  Summary/citation: The functions of Authority for Working Conditions/ Labour Inspectorate are to promote the improvement of working conditions through the monitoring of compliance with the labour standards and enforcement of legislation on safety and health at work, as well as to promote policies to prevent occupational risks, within the private labour relationships and the public administration.

  • Decreee 47/2012 - Law about new organisation of Authority for Working Conditions - ACT (Labour Inspectorate) (Art. 2 (1) (2) (3))

  • Decreto-ley núm. 102/2000 por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Inspección General del Trabajo (PDF)

  • Decreto-ley núm. 102/2000 por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Inspección General del Trabajo (Art. 2 (1) (2); Art. 5 (1))

• 3.1.2 Chairperson and composition

  Summary/citation: Authority for Working Conditions/ Labour Inspectorate is headed by an Inspector-General, assisted by two Subinspectors-General.
  It is also a body of this Authority the Advisory Council for the promotion of safety and health at work.
  Besides its central office there are organizational units, designated by delegations which are addressed by delegates.

  • Decreee 47/2012 - Law about new organisation of Authority for Working Conditions - ACT (Labour Inspectorate) (Art. 3 (1) (2); Art. 5)

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

  Summary/citation: The National Council for Health and Safety at Work (in the original language - Conselho Nacional de Higiene e Segurança do Trabalho - CNHST) aims to promote consultation and the sharing of responsibilities between the State and the social partners in defining, monitoring implementation and evaluation of policies for the prevention of occupational hazards and combat workplace accidents. It is a tripartite body in which the public administration and social partners are represented. It was intended since its creation to contribute to the formulation and implementation of national safety policy, workers' health and working environment, and reporting on national health and safety plan and on workers' health and working environment, among other objectives.
  The Economic and Social Council aims to promote the participation of economic and social actors in the process of decision-making in social-economic matters, being the space for dialogue between the social partners and other actors in civil society. In this context it produces opinions on draft legislation and economic policy. On the other hand, the Council promotes social dialogue with a view to reaching agreements on employment social area, between the Government and the social partners, through the Permanent Committee for Social Dialogue.

  • Decreto-ley núm. 245/2001 por el que se restructura el Consejo Nacional de Higiene y Seguridad en el Trabajo (CNHST), creado por Resolución del Consejo de Ministros núm. 204/82, de 16 de noviembre, revisando sus atribuciones, composición y estructura con miras a su reactivación. (Art. 1; Art. 2)

  • Ley núm. 108/91 del Consejo Económico y Social. (Art. 1; Art. 2 (1 - g); Art- 9 (1))

  • Ley constitucional núm. 1/2005 por la que se dicta la séptima revisión constitucional (PDF)

  • Ley constitucional núm. 1/2005 por la que se dicta la séptima revisión constitucional. (Art. 92)

  • Decreto-ley núm. 245/2001 por el que se restructura el Consejo Nacional de Higiene y Seguridad en el Trabajo (CNHST), creado por Resolución del Consejo de Ministros núm. 204/82, de 16 de noviembre, revisando sus atribuciones, composición y estructura con miras a su reactivación (PDF)

  • Ley núm. 108/91 del Consejo Económico y Social (PDF)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

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 employer must ensure the health surveillance of workers against the risks to which they are potentially exposed in the workplace.
  For example, the employer must ensure, in the workplace, that exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents and psychosocial risk factors are not a risk to the safety and health of workers. The employer must ensure the appropriate surveillance of workers' health in what concerns the protection of the genetic material through health checks, and an examination before the first exposure.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 15 (2 -f), 8; Art. 44 (1))

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: The employer has a duty to establish appropriate measures for first aid, fire-fighting and evacuation measures and also the identification of workers responsible for their implementation, as well as to ensure the necessary contacts with relevant external entities to perform those operations and the medical emergency.
  The employer must train a sufficient number of workers, taking into account the size of the company and the risks, who shall be responsible for implementing measures for first aid, fire-fighting and evacuation. The employer must provide them suitable material.
  The number of first-aid facilities in every workplace is determined by the number of employees and type of activity.
  Depending on the working conditions, first aid supplies must be available.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 15 (9); Art. 20 (3); Art. 73B (1 - d); Art. 75)

  • Ordenanza núm. 987/93 por la que se establecen las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en los locales de trabajo (PDF)

  • Ordenanza núm. 987/93 por la que se establecen las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en los locales de trabajo (Art. 21 (1) (2) (3))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 4.8.2 Sanitary installations

  Summary / Citation: The employer has the obligation to provide suitable and sufficient sanitary conveniences and washing facilities including showers if required by the nature of the work or for health reasons. The regulations set conditions that must be met for these facilities to be considered suitable.

  • Ordenanza núm. 987/93 por la que se establecen las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en los locales de trabajo (PDF)

  • Ordenanza núm. 987/93 por la que se establecen las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en los locales de trabajo (Art. 20 (1) (4))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  • Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 (No. 120) Direct Request 2015
  

• 4.8.3 Drinking water

  Summary / Citation: For the industry sector it is clearly stated that employers must provide all workers with an adequate supply of drinking water. They shall be also provided with a sufficient number of suitable cups or other drinking vessels unless the supply of drinking water is in a jet from which persons can drink easily.

  • Ordinance 53/71 - General regulation on safety and health in industry (Art. 184)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  • Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 (No. 120) Direct Request 2015
  

• 4.8.4 Rest and eating areas

  Summary / Citation: Whenever the safety or health of workers requires it, there must be a rest and eating area easily accessible.
  Rest and eating areas should have tables and chairs in sufficient number according to the number of workers and a separate smoking area.
  Pregnant workers and workers who are breastfeeding must have a proper place to lay down and rest.

  • Ordenanza núm. 987/93 por la que se establecen las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en los locales de trabajo (PDF)

  • Ordenanza núm. 987/93 por la que se establecen las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en los locales de trabajo (Art. 16; Art. 17)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

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 employer must ensure continuously and permanently conditions of safety and health for workers, developing prevention as a coherent system that integrates technical developments, the organization of work, working conditions, social relationships and the influence of environmental factos.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 15 (2 - b))

• 5.1.2 Appointment of a person for health and safety

  Summary/citation: In the application of preventive measures, the employer shall organize appropriate internal or external services, by mobilizing the necessary resources, particularly in what concerns technical prevention activities, training and information, as well as the protective equipment that becomes necessary to use. He/she can hire an authorized legal entity to do so.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 15 (10); Art. 73 (1); Art. 74)

• 5.1.3 Written risk assessment

  Summary/citation: Every employer has to assess the occupational risks by preparing a report on them and a plan for their prevention.
  Its mandatory to maintain documentation on the implementation of all prevention activities for five years.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 73 B (1 - b, c); Art. 73 B (5))

• 5.1.4 Safe operating work systems and procedures

  Summary/citation: Whenever it is necessary to access areas of high risk, the employer must allow access only to workers with appropriate skills and training.
  The employer must take action and give instructions to enable workers in the event of serious and imminent danger to cease their activity immediately.
  The employer must ensure the health surveillance of workers against the risks to which they are potentially exposed in the workplace.
  The employer shall establish appropriate measures for first aid, fire-fighting and evacuation and the identification of workers responsible for their implementation, as well as ensure the necessary contacts with relevant external entities to perform those operations and the ones related to medical emergency.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 15 (5) (6) (8) (9))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 5.1.5 Training and information on risks

  Summary/citation: The employer must ensure the development and dissemination of understandable and appropriate instructions accordingly to the activity performed by the worker.
  The employer must provide the information and training necessary to guarantee safe working practices.
  Employees must receive all the information and adequate training on safety and health at work, taking into account the risks related to the tasks they should perform.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 15 (2 - f); Art. 15 (4); Art. 19; Art. 20)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 5.1.6 Review or assessment of the results of preventive measures

  Summary/citation: The employer must:
  Ensure or monitor the implementation of preventive measures, promoting its efficiency;
  Coordinate and monitor internal audits and inspections;
  Analyze the causes of work accidents or occupational diseases and elaborate the respective reports;
  Design and develop the information program for the promotion of safety and health at work, promoting the integration of prevention measures in the information and communication systems of the company;
  Design and develop the training program for the promotion of safety and health at work.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 73 B (1 - l, m, r, s))

• 5.1.7 Consultation with workers in health and safety

  Summary/citation: The employer must consult in writing, and at least once a year, the workers' representatives on safety and health or the workers themselves about all issues related to OSH, namely:
  The assessment of the risks to safety and health at work, including those related to groups of workers exposed to particular risks;
  The measures of health and safety before its implementation;
  The measures that, by its impact on technologies and functions, have repercussions on the safety and health at work;
  The program and organization of training on safety and health at work.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 18 (1))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

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

  Summary / Citation: The employer can organize OSH activities using authorised legal entities and natural persons.
  This organization may adopt one of the following ways:
  a) internal service;
  b) common service;
  c) external service.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 73 (1); Art.74 (1) (2) (3) (4) (5))

  • 6.1.1.1 Qualifications of experts or professional services

    Summary / Citation: The technical occupational safety activities are carried out by senior managers or safety officers certified by the competent body for promoting safety and health at work of the Ministry of Labour.
    The occupational health surveillance is carried out by competent doctors that comply with OSH requirements and have a license from the Ministry of Health.

    • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 100 (1); Art. 103 (1), (2))

    • Law 42/2012 - Regulation of access to the profession and the activity of safety managers and safety officers (Art. 1 (1); Art. 3; Art. 5)

6.2 Appointment of an OSH practitioner

• 6.2.1 Workforce size threshold for the appointment of OSH practitioners

  Summary/citation: The law states a minimum number of safety officers and doctors depending on the number of workers involved.

  Safety officers:
  - for industrial premises:
  a) up to 50 workers, one safety officer;
  b) more than 50 workers, two safety officers per 1500 workers, where at least one of them must be a safety manager.
  - other premises:
  a) up to 50 workers, one safety officer;
  b) more than 50 workers, two safety officers per 3000 workers, where at least one of them must be a safety manager.

  Occupational doctors:
  - for industrial premises or in case of activities involving high risk, at least one hour per month for each group of 10 workers;
  - in other premises, at least one hour per month for each group of 20 workers.

  Restrictions / obligations: It is forbidden to doctors to take care of the health surveillance of a number of workers which would represent more than 150 hours of activity per month for the doctor following the rules above.

  Remarks / comments: In view of the requirements and restrictions laid down in the law, a doctor could monitor maximum 1500 workers in industrial premises or 3000 workers in other premises. If the doctor monitors workers from both types of premises, the number of monitored workers shall not represent more than 150 hours of work per month for the doctor, calculated following the rules above (min. 1 hour/ month/ 10 workers for industrial premises; and min. 1 hour/ month/ 20 workers in other premises).

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 101 (2); Art. 105 (1) (2).)

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 National Council for Health and Safety at Work (CNHST - Conselho Nacional de Higiene e Segurança no Trabalho, in its original language) is responsible for the promotion of consultation and the sharing of responsibilities between the State and the Social Partners in defining and monitoring the implementation and evaluation of policies for the prevention of occupational hazards and to combat workplace accidents. Its functions among others are as follows::
  - to contribute to the development of policies for the prevention of occupational hazards and combat workplace accidents;
  - to track and monitor permanently the implementation of public policies and interventions for prevention of occupational risks and combat workplace accidents;
  - to identify and analyze issues relating to the protection of pregnancy and breastfeeding;
  - to identify and analyze weaknesses, obstacles and problems of enforcement of policies and legislation concerning the prevention of occupational hazards and combat workplace accidents;
  - to identify good business practices in the prevention of occupational hazards and promote their dissemination;
  - to identify priority areas for political and legislative intervention in the chapter on hazard prevention and combat work-related accidents.

  The Advisory Council for the Promotion of Safety and Health, the advisory body of the Authority for Working Conditions/Labour Inspectorate (ACT - Autoridade para as Condições do Trabalho) is responsible for supporting the Working Conditions Authority in the exercise of its powers related to OSH.
  The Council gives opinions and recommendations concerning:
  - The programme and annual activity report;
  - The budget;
  - The annual report and accounts;
  - The action programs and its regulations;
  - The quality policy;
  - Training;
  - Other management tools.

  • Decreto-ley núm. 245/2001 por el que se restructura el Consejo Nacional de Higiene y Seguridad en el Trabajo (CNHST), creado por Resolución del Consejo de Ministros núm. 204/82, de 16 de noviembre, revisando sus atribuciones, composición y estructura con miras a su reactivación. (Art. 1; Art. 2)

  • Decreee 47/2012 - Law about new organisation of Authority for Working Conditions - ACT (Labour Inspectorate) (Art. 5 (4))

  • Decreto-ley núm. 245/2001 por el que se restructura el Consejo Nacional de Higiene y Seguridad en el Trabajo (CNHST), creado por Resolución del Consejo de Ministros núm. 204/82, de 16 de noviembre, revisando sus atribuciones, composición y estructura con miras a su reactivación (PDF)

• 8.1.2 Constitution and chairmanship modalities

  Summary / Citation: The National Council for Health and Safety at Work is tripartite, comprising representatives of the Government and the Regional Governments, trade unions and employers' associations with a seat at the Permanent Commission for Social Dialogue.
  This National Council comprises: a) a representative of the Minister of Labour and Social Security, who presides; b) a representative of the Minister of Economy; c) a representative of the Minister of Infrastructure; d) a representative of the Minister of Health; e) a representative of each of the Regional Government of Madeira and the Azores; f) two representatives of each of the employers' associations with a seat at the Permanent Commission for Social Dialogue; g) Three representatives from each of the unions with a seat at the Permanent Commission for Social Dialogue.

  The Advisory Council for the Promotion of Safety and Health (the advisory body of Authority for Working Conditions/Labour Inspectorate) is composed of: a) The inspector general, who presides, and who shall indicate the member of the advisory board that replaces him in his absence or impediment;
  b) The two subinspetors general; c) A delegate of the Authority for Working Conditions designated by the inspector general; d) Two representatives from each union confederation and one representative from each employer confederation that are members of the Permanent Commission for Social Dialogue.

  • Decreto-ley núm. 245/2001 por el que se restructura el Consejo Nacional de Higiene y Seguridad en el Trabajo (CNHST), creado por Resolución del Consejo de Ministros núm. 204/82, de 16 de noviembre, revisando sus atribuciones, composición y estructura con miras a su reactivación. (Art. 4)

  • Decreee 47/2012 - Law about new organisation of Authority for Working Conditions - ACT (Labour Inspectorate) (Art. 5 (2))

  • Decreto-ley núm. 245/2001 por el que se restructura el Consejo Nacional de Higiene y Seguridad en el Trabajo (CNHST), creado por Resolución del Consejo de Ministros núm. 204/82, de 16 de noviembre, revisando sus atribuciones, composición y estructura con miras a su reactivación (PDF)

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

  Summary / Citation: Unless otherwise provided in the collective agreements employees' representatives may not exceed:
  a) 1 representative for companies with less than 61 employees;
  b) 2 representatives for companies with 61 to 150 workers;
  c) 3 representatives for companies with 151 to 300 employees;
  d) 4 representatives for companies with 301 to 500 workers;
  e) 5 representatives for companies with 501 to 1000 workers;
  f) 6 representatives for companies with 1001 to 1500 employees;
  g) 7 representatives for companies with over 1500 employees.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 21 (4))

• 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

  Summary / Citation: Workers' representatives for safety and health shall have all the necessary information concerning:
  a) the safety and health risks and protective and preventive measures and activities in the establishment in general and each type of workstation and/or job;
  b) the measures and instructions to adopt in the event of serious and imminent danger;
  c) the emergency measures and first aid, evacuation of workers and fire-fighters, as well as workers or departments responsible for putting them into practice.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 19 (1))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 8.4.3 Right to be present at interviews

  No.
  

• 8.4.4 Right to receive professional assistance from OSH experts

  No.
  

• 8.4.5 Right to accompany inspectors

  No.
  

• 8.4.6 Right to use facilities

  Summary / Citation: Employers must make available to workers' representatives at health and safety at work the appropriate facilities, as well as the materials and expertise necessary for them to perform their duties.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 24 (1))

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

  Summary / Citation: Workers' representatives for health and safety have, for the performance of their duties, a credit of five hours per month.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 21 (7))

• 8.4.8 Right to issue remedial notices

  Summary / Citation: The workers' representatives for safety and health may at any time submit to the employer proposals to minimize any occupational risk.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo.

• 8.4.9 Right to resolve OSH issues in consultation with employers

  Summary / Citation: Employers shall consult workers' representatives and allow them to take part in discussions on all questions relating to safety and health at work, at least once a year, although they can present at any time the remedial notices they feel adequate.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 18 (1))

• 8.4.10 Right to direct that dangerous work cease

  Summary / Citation: The employer shall inform all workers who are, or may be, exposed to serious and imminent danger of the risk involved and of the steps taken or to be taken as regards protection and take action and give instructions to enable workers in the event of serious, imminent and unavoidable danger to stop work and/or immediately to leave the workplace and proceed to a place of safety.
  

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 15 (6))

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

  Summary / Citation: The representatives of a trade union which represent all or a part of the workers of the workplace have the right to participate in meetings at the workplace, even if they are not employees of that workplace.
  In order to do that the meeting promoters (group of workers, union committees) must send a communication to the employer at least six hours in advance.

  Remarks / comments: During these meetings OSH issues can be addressed.

  • Ley núm. 7/2009 de 12 de febrero que aprueba la revisión del Código de Trabajo. (Art. 461 (3); Art. 420)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

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

  Remarks / comments: The law does not establish a right of workers' representatives from outside the undertaking to investigate suspected non-compliance with OSH legislation, but these representatives can request Labour Inspectorate intervention in these cases.

• 8.5.3 Right to consult with workers

  Remarks / comments: The law does not establish a formal right of workers’ representatives from outside the undertaking to consult with workers, but nothing in the law forbids consultation of workers during the meetings at the workplace [Art. 461 (3); art. 420].

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 8.5.4 Right to advise workers

  Summary / Citation: Workers' representatives/trade unions have the right to provide economic and social services to the workers they represent and to intervene in judicial and administrative procedures defending their interests.
  

  Remarks / comments: This right to advise workers (in a broad sense) can also be exercised during the meetings at the workplace [Art. 461 (3)].

  • Ley núm. 7/2009 de 12 de febrero que aprueba la revisión del Código de Trabajo. (Art. 443 (1))

• 8.5.5 Right to initiate enforcement action

  Remarks / comments: The law does not establish a specific right of workers' representatives from outside the undertaking to initiate enforcement action, but these representatives can request Labour Inspectorate intervention in these cases or present a complaint to the competent Court of Law.

8.6 Joint OSH Committee

• 8.6.1 Participation of workers’ representatives in joint OSH committee

  Summary / Citation: When OSH Committees exist their members have to be the workers' representatives on safety and health at work.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 23 (1) (2))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 8.6.2 Conditions for establishing a joint OSH committee

  Summary / Citation: The OSH Committee members have to be the workers' representatives on safety and health at work.
  Workers' representatives for safety and health at work are elected by workers by direct and secret voting.
  Workers' representatives for safety and health at work must have proper training for the exercise of their functions.
  Workers or the union that has represented workers in the company promote the election of workers' representatives for safety and health at work.

  Remarks / comments: Portuguese law does not state as mandatory the constitution of OSH Committees. OSH Committees can only be created if required by a collective agreement and its members have to be the workers' representatives on safety and health at work.
  

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 21; Art. 22; Art.23; Art. 27)

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

  No data available.
  

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 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: There are a number of regulations regulating the handling, storage, labelling and use of chemicals.

  • Law 220/2012 - Implementation of Reg EC 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures

  • Decreto-Ley núm. 301/2000 que regula la protección de los trabajadores contra los riesgos ligados a la exposición a agentes cancerígenos durante el trabajo.

  • Decreto-Ley núm. 301/2000 que regula la protección de los trabajadores contra los riesgos ligados a la exposición a agentes cancerígenos durante el trabajo (PDF)

  • Rectification 26/86 - of some text errors on Law 479/1985

  • Law 479/85 - Identification of the substances, agents and industrial processes with carcinogenic risks to workers professionally exposed

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184) Direct Request 2016
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

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

  Summary / Citation: The Regulations apply to suppliers of dangerous chemicals, requiring them to provide information about the dangers of chemicals and to package them safely, including identifying the hazards (dangers) of the chemical (‘classification’) and providing information about the hazards, including labelling.

  • Law 293/2009 - Implementation of Regulation 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and establishing a European Chemicals Agency

  • Decree 27707/2007 - Appointment of competent authorities responsible for performing the tasks allotted to competent authorities under Regulation 1907/2006 - art.121

  • Law 220/2012 - Implementation of Reg EC 1272/2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 9.2.3 Pesticides

  Summary / Citation: There is a legal framework for the control of pesticides.

  • Law 24/2011 - Placing of plant protection products on the market (Transposition of 9 Directives that amend Directive 91/414/EEC)

  • Law 86/2010 - Use of pesticides (Transposition of D 2009/128 and D 2006/123/EC)

  • Law 26/2013 - Regulation of the activities of distribution, sale and use of plant protection products for professional use

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184) Direct Request 2016
  

9.3 Ergonomic hazards

9.4 Physical hazards

• 9.4.1 Ionising radiation

  Summary / Citation: There is a legal framework for the protection from ionizing radiation.

  • Law 222/2008 - 2nd amendment to Regulation 9/1990 (also transposes, partly, D 96/29 EURATOM)

  • Law 165/2002 - Basic safety standards for the protection of the health of workers and general public against the dangers arising from ionizing radiation

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) Observation 2009
  • Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) Direct Request 2016
  

• 9.4.2 Vibration and noise

  Summary / Citation: The control of noise at work aims to protect persons (employees and others affected) against risks to their health and safety arising from exposure to noise at work. The law describes exposure limit values and action values including a daily or weekly personal noise exposure level and a peak sound pressure level and places particular duties on employers according to the exposure risk/level.
  The employer must ensure that the risk from the exposure of all employees to noise is either eliminated at source or, where this is not reasonably practicable, reduced to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.
  The control of vibration at work aims to protect workers from risks to health from vibration. The law introduces action and limit values for hand-arm and whole-body vibration, require risk assessments, the provision of information and training.
  

  • Decreto-ley núm. 182/2006 por el que se transpone a la legislación nacional la Directiva del Parlamento Europeo 2003/10/CE, del 6 de febrero de 2006, relativa a las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en materia de exposición de los trabajadores a los riesgos debidos al ruido.

  • Decreto-Ley núm. 46/2006 por el que se aplica en el orden jurídico nacional la Directiva 2002/44/CE del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo, de 25 de junio de 2002, sobre las disposiciones mínimas de seguridad y de salud relativas a la exposición de los trabajadores a los riesgos derivados de los agentes físicos (vibraciones) (PDF)

  • Decreto-Ley núm. 46/2006 por el que se aplica en el orden jurídico nacional la Directiva 2002/44/CE del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo, de 25 de junio de 2002, sobre las disposiciones mínimas de seguridad y de salud relativas a la exposición de los trabajadores a los riesgos derivados de los agentes físicos (vibraciones).

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 (No. 120) Direct Request 2015
  • Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Convention, 1977 (No. 148) Direct Request 2015
  

• 9.4.3 Working at height

  Summary / Citation: There is a general obligation on the employer to ensure that traffic routes are equipped with any necessary safety devices to prevent workers from falling off.
  There are specific regulations governing work in the construction area, which contain specific requirements relating to certain types of work equipment, such as scaffolding.

  • Decreto-ley núm. 50/2005, de 25 de febrero de 2005, por el que que se dictan las disposiciones de aplicación de la Directiva núm. 2001/45/CE del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo, de 27 de junio de 2001, por la que se modifica la Directiva 89/655/CEE del Consejo relativa a las disposiciones mínimas de seguridad y de salud para la utilización por los trabajadores en el trabajo de los equipos de trabajo y deroga el Decreto-ley núm. 82/99, de 16 de marzo de 1999. (Art. 36 to 42)

  • Decreto-ley núm. 273/2003 sobre revisión de la reglamentación de las condiciones de seguridad y salud en el trabajo en las obras de construcción fijas o móbiles, contenida en el Decreto-Ley núm. 155/95, de 1 de julio de 1995, conservando las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en el trabajo establecidas por la Directiva núm. 92/57/CEE del Consejo de 24 de junio de 1992. (Art. 22 (1 - c))

  • Orden núm. 101/96 del Ministerio de Salud y para la Calificación y el Empleo por la cual se reglamentan las prescripciones mínimas de salud en los locales y lugares de trabajo de de obras de construcción fijas o móbiles. (Art. 5 (4); Art. 11)

  • Decreto-ley núm. 273/2003 sobre revisión de la reglamentación de las condiciones de seguridad y salud en el trabajo en las obras de construcción fijas o móbiles, contenida en el Decreto-Ley núm. 155/95, de 1 de julio de 1995, conservando las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en el trabajo establecidas por la Directiva núm. 92/57/CEE del Consejo de 24 de junio de 1992 (PDF)

  • Orden núm. 101/96 del Ministerio de Salud y para la Calificación y el Empleo por la cual se reglamentan las prescripciones mínimas de salud en los locales y lugares de trabajo de de obras de construcción fijas o móbiles (PDF)

  • Ordenanza núm. 987/93 por la que se establecen las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en los locales de trabajo (PDF)

  • Ordenanza núm. 987/93 por la que se establecen las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en los locales de trabajo (Art. 13 (6))

• 9.4.4 Working in confined spaces

  Summary / Citation: There are no specific regulations on working in confined spaces, but it is covered by legislation related to chemicals and dangerous substances.

  • Decreto-ley núm. 273/2003 sobre revisión de la reglamentación de las condiciones de seguridad y salud en el trabajo en las obras de construcción fijas o móbiles, contenida en el Decreto-Ley núm. 155/95, de 1 de julio de 1995, conservando las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en el trabajo establecidas por la Directiva núm. 92/57/CEE del Consejo de 24 de junio de 1992. (Art. 6 (2 -f))

  • Decreto-ley núm. 236/2003 que transpone en el orden jurídico nacional la Directiva núm. 1999/92/CE, del Parlamento Europeo o del Consejo, de 16 de diciembre, relativa a las prescripciones mínimas destinadas a promover la mejoría de la protección de la seguridad y la salud de los trabajadores susceptibles de ser expuestos a riesgos derivados de atmósferas explosivas.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 79)

  • Law 24/2012 - Transposition of Directive 2009/161/EU establishing a third list of indicative occupational exposure limit values in implementation of Council Directive 98/24/EC

  • Decreto-ley núm. 236/2003 que transpone en el orden jurídico nacional la Directiva núm. 1999/92/CE, del Parlamento Europeo o del Consejo, de 16 de diciembre, relativa a las prescripciones mínimas destinadas a promover la mejoría de la protección de la seguridad y la salud de los trabajadores susceptibles de ser expuestos a riesgos derivados de atmósferas explosivas (PDF)

  • Decreto-ley núm. 273/2003 sobre revisión de la reglamentación de las condiciones de seguridad y salud en el trabajo en las obras de construcción fijas o móbiles, contenida en el Decreto-Ley núm. 155/95, de 1 de julio de 1995, conservando las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en el trabajo establecidas por la Directiva núm. 92/57/CEE del Consejo de 24 de junio de 1992 (PDF)

• 9.4.5 Risks arising from poor maintenance of workplace facilities

  Summary / Citation: All buildings with workstations must be of sound construction and properly maintained.
  The employer must ensure regarding any place of work under the employer’s control, the maintenance of it in a condition that is safe and without risks to health.
  

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 15 (2) (3))

  • Ordenanza núm. 987/93 por la que se establecen las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en los locales de trabajo (PDF)

  • Ordenanza núm. 987/93 por la que se establecen las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en los locales de trabajo (Art. 1)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 (No. 120) Direct Request 2015
  

• 9.4.6 Exposure to extreme temperatures

  Summary / Citation: During working hours, the temperature in rooms containing workstations must be adequate for human beings, having regard to the working methods being used and the physical demands placed on the workers.
  The temperature in rest areas, rooms for duty staff, sanitary facilities, canteens and first aid rooms must be appropriate to the particular purpose of such areas.
  Windows, skylights and glass partitions allowing excessive effects of sunlight in workplaces shall be avoided, having regard to the nature of the work and of the workplace.

  • Ordenanza núm. 987/93 por la que se establecen las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en los locales de trabajo (PDF)

  • Ordenanza núm. 987/93 por la que se establecen las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud en los locales de trabajo (Art. 7)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 (No. 120) Direct Request 2015
  

• 9.4.7 Fire risks

  Summary / Citation: There is a legal framework for fire safety.

  • Law 220/2008 - Legal framework for fire safety on buildings

  • Ordinance 1532/2008 - Regulation of Law 220/2008 (technical and specific dispositions according to art. 15 of Law 220/2008)

• 9.4.8 Tobacco

  Summary / Citation: There is a specific law approving the standards for the protection of citizens from involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke.

  • Law 37/2007 - Approves standards for the protection of citizens from involuntary exposure to tobacco smoke and measures to reduce demand related to dependency and termination of its consumption

• 9.4.9 Asbestos

  Summary / Citation: There are specific laws on the protection of workers from their exposure to asbestos at the workplace.

  • Decreto-Ley núm. 266/2007 por el que se transpone en el orden jurídico interno la Directiva núm. 2003/18/CE, del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo, de 27 de marzo de 2003, por la que se modifica la Directiva 83/477/CEE del Consejo sobre la protección de los trabajadores contra los riesgos relacionados con la exposición al amianto durante el trabajo.

  • Regulation 40/2014 - Regulations for the correct removal of asbestos-containing materials, transport and management of asbestos waste

  • Decreto-Ley núm. 266/2007 por el que se transpone en el orden jurídico interno la Directiva núm. 2003/18/CE, del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo, de 27 de marzo de 2003, por la que se modifica la Directiva 83/477/CEE del Consejo sobre la protección de los trabajadores contra los riesgos relacionados con la exposición al amianto durante el trabajo (PDF)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162) Observation 2017
  • Asbestos Convention, 1986 (No. 162) Direct Request 2017
  

• 9.4.10 Risks related to nanotechnology

  Summary / Citation: There are no specific regulations on nanotechnology, but nanotechnology is covered by the legislation regarding the control of hazardous substances to health, the dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres and the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation & Restriction of Chemicals (REACH).

  • Law 293/2009 - Implementation of Regulation 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and establishing a European Chemicals Agency

  • Decreto-ley núm. 236/2003 que transpone en el orden jurídico nacional la Directiva núm. 1999/92/CE, del Parlamento Europeo o del Consejo, de 16 de diciembre, relativa a las prescripciones mínimas destinadas a promover la mejoría de la protección de la seguridad y la salud de los trabajadores susceptibles de ser expuestos a riesgos derivados de atmósferas explosivas.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 15 (2 -f))

  • Decreto-ley núm. 236/2003 que transpone en el orden jurídico nacional la Directiva núm. 1999/92/CE, del Parlamento Europeo o del Consejo, de 16 de diciembre, relativa a las prescripciones mínimas destinadas a promover la mejoría de la protección de la seguridad y la salud de los trabajadores susceptibles de ser expuestos a riesgos derivados de atmósferas explosivas (PDF)

• 9.4.11 Contraction of HIV in the workplace

  Summary / Citation: HIV is addressed indirectly under the general labour legislation and the prohibition of discrimination.

  Remarks / comments: The law doesn't refer to requirements for specific protection measures at workplaces where workers could be exposed to HIV (e.g. nurses-hospital, or others).

  • Ley núm. 7/2009 de 12 de febrero que aprueba la revisión del Código de Trabajo. (Art. 16; Art. 17; Art. 19; Art. 24; Art. 25; Art. 28; Art. 29)

  • Ley constitucional núm. 1/2005 por la que se dicta la séptima revisión constitucional (PDF)

  • Ley constitucional núm. 1/2005 por la que se dicta la séptima revisión constitucional. (Art. 13 (1); Art. 58 (1))

9.5 Psychosocial hazards

• 9.5.1 Psychosocial risks

  Summary / Citation: Psychosocial risks are covered under the general duties of the employers.
  The law only states the obligation of every employer to ensure, in the workplace, that exposure to psychosocial risk factors is not a risk to the safety and health of workers.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 15 (1; 2 - f))

• 9.5.2 Occupational violence

  Summary / Citation: General duties under health and safety law apply to risks from violence as they do to other risks at work.
  The Labour Code contains a specific provision on the protection of workers from suffering harassment in employment.
  For Portuguese Law harassment means unwanted behavior including discrimination with the purpose or effect of disrupting or embarrassing the person, affecting the person's dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment. It is sexual harassment any unwelcome verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, with the purpose or effect of disrupting or embarrassing the person, affecting the person's dignity, or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment.
  It is considered a very serious offense and gives the right to pecuniary and non-pecuniary compensation for damages, in accordance with the general law.

  Remarks / comments: It is, though, very difficult to prove in court.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 15 (1; 2 -f))

  • Ley núm. 7/2009 de 12 de febrero que aprueba la revisión del Código de Trabajo. (Art. 29; Art. 28)

9.6 Other hazardous substances

9.7 Machineries

• 9.7.1 Risks related to machinery and tools

  Summary / Citation: There are specific pieces of legislation on the protection of workers from risks related to machinery and tools.

  • Decreto-ley núm. 50/2005, de 25 de febrero de 2005, por el que que se dictan las disposiciones de aplicación de la Directiva núm. 2001/45/CE del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo, de 27 de junio de 2001, por la que se modifica la Directiva 89/655/CEE del Consejo relativa a las disposiciones mínimas de seguridad y de salud para la utilización por los trabajadores en el trabajo de los equipos de trabajo y deroga el Decreto-ley núm. 82/99, de 16 de marzo de 1999.

  • Law 221/2006 - Transposition of D 2005/88/EC relating to the noise emission in the environment by equipment for use outdoors

  • Ordenanza núm. 988/93 por la que se establecen las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud de los trabajadores en la utilización de equipos de protección individual

  • Ordenanza núm. 988/93 por la que se establecen las prescripciones mínimas de seguridad y salud de los trabajadores en la utilización de equipos de protección individual (PDF)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 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: Any person who designs, manufactures, imports or supplies any article for use at work is under the obligation to ensure that the article is so designed and constructed that it will be safe and without risks to health at all times when it is being set, used, cleaned or maintained by a person at work.
  They must also carry out or arrange for the carrying out of testing and examination and secure the adequate information (and revisions) about the use for which the article is designed.

  • Law 103/2008 - Transposition of Directive 2006/42/EC of thr EU Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on machinery

  • Law 214/95 - Regulation on the terms of use and sale of used machinery in order to eliminate risks to the health and safety of people

  • Ordinance 172/2000 - article 3 of Law 214/95 - used machinery particularly dangerous

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 13)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  • Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184) Direct Request 2016
  

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

  Summary / Citation: Any person who designs, manufactures, imports or supplies any article for use at work is under the obligation to take such steps as are necessary to secure that persons supplied by that person with the article are provided with adequate information about the use for which the article is designed or has been tested, and about any conditions necessary to ensure that it will be safe and without risks to health.

  • Law 103/2008 - Transposition of Directive 2006/42/EC of thr EU Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on machinery

  • Law 214/95 - Regulation on the terms of use and sale of used machinery in order to eliminate risks to the health and safety of people

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  • Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184) Direct Request 2016
  

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

  Summary / Citation: Provisions do not require employers to purchase from authorised suppliers, but various legal provisions set standards relating to machinery.

  • Law 103/2008 - Transposition of Directive 2006/42/EC of thr EU Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2006 on machinery

  • Law 214/95 - Regulation on the terms of use and sale of used machinery in order to eliminate risks to the health and safety of people

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 9.7.5 Maintenance of machinery and equipment

  Summary / Citation: Employers are under the duty to maintain in an efficient state, in efficient working order and in good repair (including cleaning) the machinery and equipment.

  • Decreto-ley núm. 50/2005, de 25 de febrero de 2005, por el que que se dictan las disposiciones de aplicación de la Directiva núm. 2001/45/CE del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo, de 27 de junio de 2001, por la que se modifica la Directiva 89/655/CEE del Consejo relativa a las disposiciones mínimas de seguridad y de salud para la utilización por los trabajadores en el trabajo de los equipos de trabajo y deroga el Decreto-ley núm. 82/99, de 16 de marzo de 1999.

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  • Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184) Direct Request 2016
  

  • 9.7.5.1 List of equipment where applicable

    No data available.
    

    Related CEACR Comments
    • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
    • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
    

9.8 Provisions to protect workers in specific condition of vulnerability

• 9.8.1 Protection of pregnancy at work

  Summary / Citation: Where the persons working in an undertaking include women of child-bearing age and the work is of a kind which could involve risk, by reason of their condition, to the health and safety of new or expectant mothers, or to that of their babies, they shall be protected from any processes or working conditions, or physical, biological or chemical agents, including those specified in Annexes I and II of Council Directive 92/85/EEC on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or are breastfeeding. The assessment required by regulation shall also include an assessment of such risk.
  The law establishes that some activities are forbidden and others are conditioned to pregnant workers.
  It is prohibited to pregnant and lactating women to work in underground mines.
  They can be also dispensed from working night shifts and from overtime work until the newborn turns 12 months old.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 51 to art. 56; Art. 57 to art. 60)

  • Ley núm. 7/2009 de 12 de febrero que aprueba la revisión del Código de Trabajo. (Art. 37; Art. 62)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184) Direct Request 2016
  

• 9.8.2 Protection of lactating women at work

  Summary / Citation: It is prohibited to pregnant and lactating women to work in underground mines.
  They can be also dispensed from working night shifts and from overtime work until the newborn turns 12 months old.
  

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 51; Art. 54; Art. 55; Art. 58; Art. 59; Art 60)

  • Ley núm. 7/2009 de 12 de febrero que aprueba la revisión del Código de Trabajo. (Art. 62)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Safety and Health in Agriculture Convention, 2001 (No. 184) Direct Request 2016
  

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

  Summary / Citation: Portuguese law has no specific provisions limiting women’s access to specific occupations, undertakins or shifts, except if they are pregnant or lactating.
  However, activities involving exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents or other psychosocial factors that may cause heritable genetic effects, non-heritable adverse effects in the progeny or undermine the functions of male or female reproductive capabilities, likely to pose risks to the genetic heritage are prohibited or conditioned to workers.
  The use of prohibited agents is allowed:
  a) For the sole purpose of scientific research;
  b) In activities aimed at their elimination.
  The exposure of workers to the agents concerned should be avoided by ensuring that they are exposed during the minimum possible time and takes place in a single closed system, from which agents can be removed only to the extent necessary to control the process or to maintain the system.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 48 (1) (2); Art. 55)

  • Ley núm. 7/2009 de 12 de febrero que aprueba la revisión del Código de Trabajo. (Art. 58; Art. 59; Art. 60)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Underground Work (Women) Convention, 1935 (No. 45) Direct Request 2015
  

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

  Summary / Citation: Every employer shall ensure that young persons employed by him/her are protected at work from any risks to their health or safety which are a consequence of their lack of experience, or absence of awareness of existing or potential risks or the fact that young persons have not yet fully matured.
  Under 18 years of age, a young person can only be allowed to work if he/she has completed the minimum age for admission, has completed compulsory education and has appropriate physical and mental capacities to the workplace. The minimum age for admission to work is 16 years.
  The law establishes that some activities are forbidden and others are conditioned to young workers.
  

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 61 to 72)

  • Ley núm. 7/2009 de 12 de febrero que aprueba la revisión del Código de Trabajo. (Art. 68; Art. 69; Art. 72 to 76)

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) Direct Request 2013
  • Night Work of Young Persons (Industry) Convention, 1919 (No. 6) Observation 2017
  • Night Work of Young Persons (Industry) Convention, 1919 (No. 6) Direct Request 2019
  

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 analyze the causes of work related accidents or occupational diseases and must keep a record of any non-fatal injuries to workers, work-related fatalities, dangerous occurrences and occupational diseases.
  The record-keeping registers must be available for 5 years.
  

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 73B (1-s), (2-a, c, d), (5))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 10.1.2 Near miss incidents

  Summary / Citation: Employers must keep a record of any dangerous occurrences (with potential to cause an injury or disease to persons at work).
  

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 73B (2-b, c))

• 10.1.3 Occupational diseases

  Summary / Citation: Employers must keep a record of occupational diseases.

  • Ley núm. 102/2009 sobre el Régimen jurídico de la promoción de la seguridad y salud en el trabajo. (Art. 73 (2-b))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

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 have the power to enter freely and without previous notice at any hour of the day or night any workplace liable to inspection.
  

  • Ley núm. 107/2009 que aprueba el régimen procesal aplicable a las infracciones laborales y de seguridad social. (Art. 10 (2 - d))

  • Decreto-ley núm. 102/2000 por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Inspección General del Trabajo (PDF)

  • Decreto-ley núm. 102/2000 por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Inspección General del Trabajo (Art. 11 (1 - a))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2019
  • 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: Labour inspectors have the power to carry out any examination, test or enquiry which they may consider necessary in order to verify that the legal provisions are being strictly observed, and in particular:
  (i) to interrogate, alone or in the presence of witnesses, the employer or the staff of the undertaking on any matters concerning the application of the legal provisions;
  (ii) to require the production of any books, registers or other documents the keeping of which is prescribed by national laws or regulations relating to conditions of work, in order to see that they are in conformity with the legal provisions, and to copy such documents or make extracts from them;
  (iii) to take or remove for purposes of analysis samples of materials and substances used or handled, subject to the employer or his representative being notified of any samples or substances taken or removed for such purpose.

  • Ley núm. 107/2009 que aprueba el régimen procesal aplicable a las infracciones laborales y de seguridad social. (Art. 10 (1 - a) (2 - a))

  • Decreto-ley núm. 102/2000 por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Inspección General del Trabajo (PDF)

  • Decreto-ley núm. 102/2000 por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Inspección General del Trabajo (Art. 11 (1 - e, f, g))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2019
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
  

• 11.2.3 Power to investigate

  Summary / Citation: Labour inspectors have the legal obligation to conduct investigations in case of fatal accident at work, in case of accident with severe injuries, or occupational diseases which cause severe injuries.

  • Decreto-ley núm. 102/2000 por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Inspección General del Trabajo (PDF)

  • Decreto-ley núm. 102/2000 por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Inspección General del Trabajo (Art. 10 (1 -e))

• 11.2.4 Duty to provide advice on OSH

  Summary / Citation: Labour inspectors may supply technical information and advice to employers and workers concerning the most effective means of complying with the legal provisions, including OSH.

  • Decreto-ley núm. 102/2000 por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Inspección General del Trabajo (PDF)

  • Decreto-ley núm. 102/2000 por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Inspección General del Trabajo (Art. 5 (1); Art. 10 (1 a))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2019
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
  

11.3 OSH inspectors’ enforcement powers

• 11.3.1 Power to issue orders or notices

  Summary / Citation: Labour inspectors have the power to issue orders or notices requiring alterations to the installation or plant, to be carried out within a specified time limit, as may be necessary to secure compliance with the legal provisions relating to the health or safety of the workers.
  

  • Decreto-ley núm. 102/2000 por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Inspección General del Trabajo (PDF)

  • Decreto-ley núm. 102/2000 por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Inspección General del Trabajo (Art. 10 (1 - c))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2019
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
  

• 11.3.2 Power to impose financial penalties

  Summary / Citation: Labour inspectors have the power to impose financial penalties when employers violate or neglect to observe legal provisions enforceable by labour inspectors.

  • Ley núm. 107/2009 que aprueba el régimen procesal aplicable a las infracciones laborales y de seguridad social. (Art. 10 (1 - d); Art. 13 (1) (2))

  • Decreto-ley núm. 102/2000 por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Inspección General del Trabajo (PDF)

  • Decreto-ley núm. 102/2000 por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Inspección General del Trabajo (Art. 7 (1))

• 11.3.3 Power to revoke or suspend licenses or authorisations

  Remarks / comments: Labour inspectors do not have the power to suspend the license of a factory to operate and order its closure. They can only require the cessation of a specified dangerous work in the event of imminent danger to the health or safety of the workers.
  

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2019
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
  

• 11.3.4 Power to require the cessation of dangerous work

  Summary / Citation: Labour inspectors have the power to require the cessation of dangerous work in the event of imminent danger to the health or safety of the workers.
  

  • Ley núm. 107/2009 que aprueba el régimen procesal aplicable a las infracciones laborales y de seguridad social. (Art. 10 (1 - c))

  • Decreto-ley núm. 102/2000 por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Inspección General del Trabajo (PDF)

  • Decreto-ley núm. 102/2000 por el que se aprueba el Estatuto de la Inspección General del Trabajo (Art. 10 (1 d))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2019
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
  

• 11.3.5 Power to initiate prosecutions

  No.
  

• 11.3.6 Power to conduct prosecutions

  No.
  

• 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: When the law holds responsible the employer for any infraction, it also covers legal persons.
  Fines are variable, depending on the severity of the offenses, the turnover of the company and the degree of guilt of the offender.

  The minimum and maximum amount of fines can vary between € 204 and € 61200 but these maximum values ​​for very serious offenses shall be doubled in case of violation of rules on safety and health at work.

  • Ley núm. 7/2009 de 12 de febrero que aprueba la revisión del Código de Trabajo. (Art. 551 (2); Art. 554 (1) (2 to 4))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 11.4.2 Financial penalties for natural persons

  Summary / Citation: The employer is responsible for offenses against labour law, even when committed by employees in the exercise of their duties, without prejudice to the responsibility committed by law to other subjects.
  Fines are variable, depending on the severity of the offenses, the turnover of the company/employer and the degree of guilt of the offender.
  The minimum and maximum amount of fines can vary between € 204 and € 61200 but these maximum values for very serious offenses shall be doubled in case of violation of rules on safety and health at work.
  In cases where the agent has no employees or is a natural person not engaged in a profit-making activity, the values of fines go from a minimum of € 102 to € 5100.
  

  • Ley núm. 7/2009 de 12 de febrero que aprueba la revisión del Código de Trabajo. (Art. 551 (1); Art. 555 (1 to 4))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 11.4.3 Non-financial sanctions

  Summary / Citation: The law prescribes some non-financial sanctions:
  - publicity (public record available on the Working Conditions Authority website with the characterization of the offense, the rule breached, the identification of the offender, the place of the offense and the penalty imposed);
  - prohibition to exercise activity in the establishment, factory or yard where the offense was committed, for a period up to two years;
  - deprivation of the right to bid in public tenders for a period up to two years.

  • Ley núm. 7/2009 de 12 de febrero que aprueba la revisión del Código de Trabajo. (Art. 562 (1 (2))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 11.4.4 Criminal liability

  Summary / Citation: The Penal Code specifies an infringement of rules of construction, damage to facilities and disruption of services, in the following terms:

  1 - Whoever,
  a) as part of his/her business infringes laws, regulations and technical rules that must be observed in the planning, direction and execution of construction, demolition or installation, or modification or repair;
  b) destroy, damage, render unusable, totally or partially, apparatus or other means available in the workplace and to prevent accidents, or in contravention of laws, regulations and technical rules, omit the installation of such facilities or equipment;
  c) destroy, damage, render unusable, totally or partially, for installation use, production, storage, conducting or distributing water, oil, gas, heat, electricity, gas or nuclear power, or for protection against the forces of nature; or
  d) prevent or disrupt communications services or of public supply of water, light, heat or power, or subtracting away, destroying, damaging or rendering unusable, in whole or in part, what serves such energy services;
  and this way creates danger to life or physical integrity of others or to capital assets of high value, shall be punished with imprisonment of one to eight years.
  2 - If the danger referred to above is created by negligence, the perpetrator shall be punished with imprisonment up to five years.
  3 - Whether the conduct referred to in paragraph 1 is committed by negligence, the perpetrator shall be punished with imprisonment up to three years or a fine.

  The Labour Code establishes special protection to the health and safety of young workers:
  Work which, by its nature or the circumstances in which it is provided, is dangerous to the physical, mental and moral development of young persons is prohibited or conditioned by specific legislation [art. 72 (2)].

  Any employer that provides work to young workers in violation of article 72 (2) shall be punished with imprisonment up to 2 years or a fine of up to 240 days if a more severe penalty is not applicable under any other legal provision.

  • Ley núm. 59/2007 por la que se dicta la vigésima modificación del Código Penal. (Art. 277)

  • Ley núm. 7/2009 de 12 de febrero que aprueba la revisión del Código de Trabajo. (Art. 82 (1); Art. 72 (2))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017
  

• 11.4.5 Terms of imprisonment for natural persons

  Summary / Citation: The terms of imprisonment provided for in the Penal Code in case of an infringement of rules of construction, damage to facilities and disruption of services vary up to 8 years of prison.

  • Ley núm. 59/2007 por la que se dicta la vigésima modificación del Código Penal. (Art. 277)

  • Ley núm. 7/2009 de 12 de febrero que aprueba la revisión del Código de Trabajo. (Art. 82 (1); Art. 72 (2))

  Related CEACR Comments
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Observation 2014
  • Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155) Direct Request 2017