Summary/citation: In Paraguay, the OSH Act (General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine), adopted in 1992, is the leading OSH law within the country. The Decree aims to regulate the conditions and minimum technical requirements concerning the prevention of occupational hazards and the improvement of working environments, and is enforceable in any workplace throughout the country. In addition, the Labour Code, completes OSH legislation, providing specific provisions for workers and employers. There are other specific regulations concerning particular issues like those related to the prevention of fire risk or hazardous waste.
Summary/citation: The OSH prevention policy provisions aim to prevent physical, functional or psychological damage or deterioration of workers health at work.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 279)
Summary/citation: A worker is a person who performs a work or provides services, either physical or intellectual, or both, to another person under a labour contract.
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Art. 21)
Summary/citation: Migrant workers are included within the scope of OSH legislation.
Summary/citation: Domestic workers are included within the scope of OSH legislation.
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Arts. 148-156)
Related CEACR Comments• Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) Observation 2019• Domestic Workers Convention, 2011 (No. 189) Direct Request 2019
Summary/citation: Home workers are included within the scope of OSH legislation.
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Arts. 137-147)
Summary/citation: Employer is a person or legal entity, who uses the service of one or more workers under a labour contract.
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Art. 24)
Summary/citation: The General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine does not exclude any sector of activity from its scope.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 3)
Summary/citation: Employers must notify immediately to the Occupational Safety and Hygiene Directorate the occupational accidents resulting in casualties or seriouus disability of workers. Employers must report to the Occupational Safety and Hygiene Directorate the occupational accidents or diseases resulting in workers inability to work for more than 3 days. Employers must report to the authorities within 8 days the declaration of occupational disease.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 16)
Summary/citation: A list of occupational diseases is provided in the Decree.
• Decreto N° 5.649 , adoptando el listado de enfermedades profesionales (Decree N° 5.649 Adoption of list of occupational diseases). (Art. 1)
Summary/citation: Other occupational diseases not mentioned in the list, shall be recognized and therefore compensated as occupational diseases when the direct link between the tasks performed and the occupational disease is established scientifically by appropriate methods and according to the national practice.
• Decreto N° 5.649 , adoptando el listado de enfermedades profesionales (Decree N° 5.649 Adoption of list of occupational diseases). (Art. 4.2)
Summary/citation: The Ministry of Justice and Labour and the Under-Secretariat of Labour and Social Security, through the Occupational Safety and Hygiene Directorate are the institutions responsible for ensuring overall OSH administration and enforcement.
• Decreto No. 12.402 - Por el cual se reorganiza la Estructura del Ministerio de Justicia y Trabajo. (Decree N° 12.402 which reorganizes the structure of the Ministry of Justice and Labour). (Art. 2, Art. 36, Art. 44)
Summary/citation: The functions of the Occupational Safety and Hygiene Directorate are as follows:a) Inspect, protect and control OSH conditions in workplaces and machineries;b) Control the stability of buildings and constructions;c) Control OSH conditions in the work environments;d) Undertake research on OSH issues along with other institutions;
• Decreto No. 12.402 - Por el cual se reorganiza la Estructura del Ministerio de Justicia y Trabajo. (Decree N° 12.402 which reorganizes the structure of the Ministry of Justice and Labour). (Art. 45)
Summary/citation: The Occupational Safety and Hygiene Directorate is composed of:- a Directorate;- a Secretariat;- a Department of Occupational Safety;- a Department of Industrial Hygiene;- an Audit Department;- a Department of Statistics.
• Decreto No. 12.402 - Por el cual se reorganiza la Estructura del Ministerio de Justicia y Trabajo. (Decree N° 12.402 which reorganizes the structure of the Ministry of Justice and Labour). (Art. 44)
Summary/citation: The Occupational Safety and Hygiene Directorate has some research functions among others (Art. 45).
The Paraguayan Institute of Labour Studies is a research body, (Art. 52).
• Decreto No. 12.402 - Por el cual se reorganiza la Estructura del Ministerio de Justicia y Trabajo. (Decree N° 12.402 which reorganizes the structure of the Ministry of Justice and Labour). (Arts. 45, 52)
Resolution No. 30 of 25 May 1983 regulate the functions of the Paraguayan Institute of Labour Studies (Art. 53).
Remarks / comments: Based on the structure of the Institute defined in the law, it can be implied that the Paraguayan Institute of Labour Studies have research and educational functions (Art. 52).
• Decreto No. 12.402 - Por el cual se reorganiza la Estructura del Ministerio de Justicia y Trabajo. (Decree N° 12.402 which reorganizes the structure of the Ministry of Justice and Labour). (Arts. 45, 52, 53)
Summary/citation: The Paraguayan Institute of Labour Studies is composed of:- a General Directorate- an Advisory Council- an Administrative Research- a Sub-Directorate for Investigation- a Sub-Directorate fro Labour Education- a Sub-Directorate for Documentation- other departments and technical units for its adequate operation.
• Decreto No. 12.402 - Por el cual se reorganiza la Estructura del Ministerio de Justicia y Trabajo. (Decree N° 12.402 which reorganizes the structure of the Ministry of Justice and Labour). (Art. 52)
Summary/citation: Employers must ensure the health, safety and well-being of workers in the workplace by means of taking all necessary steps, including provision of information, training activities and risk management.
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Art. 274)
Summary / Citation: Employers must ensure that all workers undertake a medical examination prior to their admission to work. They must also ensure a free periodic medical exam:- every 12 months for employees performing in non-hazardous working conditions.- every 6 months for employees carrying out hazardous tasks.
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Art. 275 a)
Summary / Citation: Employers must have a prevention plan and set up protective measures for occupational risks, workplace, machinery, operations, hazardous substances and others to ensure the safety and health for workers.
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Art. 275)
Summary / Citation: Employers must provide personal protective equipment to workers and train them on how to use it.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 249.5)
Related CEACR Comments• Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 (No. 120) Observation 2009• Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 (No. 120) Direct Request 2014
Summary / Citation: Enterprises must have first-aid kits equipped at least with the list of materials provided by the law and conveniently located. In addition, enterprises must have a first-aid service, with sufficient resources to assist workers. The size of the first-aid service, the volume of medicines and the nursing staff shall be related to the number of workers in the undertaking. Workplaces with 25 or more workers must have an infirmary.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 39)
Summary / Citation: The law provides the requirements for sanitary installations and dormitories in workplaces. The sanitary installations include toilets, sinks and showers in numbers depending on the size of the workforce.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 31, Arts. 36-37, Arts. 43-44,Art. 46)
Summary / Citation: Employers must provide clean drinking water to workers. The water must be accessible at the workplace and with hygienic guarantees. There will be no connections between the drinking water supply system and the water that is not appropriate for drinking. Therefore, measures to prevent water contamination shall be taken. Employers are responsible to carry out the corresponding tests to determine if the water is drinkable. Transportation, storage, and distribution of water to and within the workplace must also be hygienically guaranteed.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 34, Art. 47)
Summary / Citation: The OSH legislation does not require eating areas to be installed. However there are specific legal conditions and requirements that must be met in case they are provided.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 32, Art. 45)
Summary/citation: Employers must have a prevention plan and set up protective measures for occupational risks, workplace, machinery, operations, hazardous substances and others to ensure the safety and health of workers.
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Art. 275 d)
Summary/citation: Employers must provide workers with information on the risks to their safety and health. They must also provide workers with training on tools to prevent and control such risks and to protect themselves. The law provides detailed content of such trainings.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 15)
Summary/citation: OSH legislation provides that workplaces with 150 workers or more are required to have: -a Safety service; -a Medical service;-a Hygiene service.
Workplaces with less than 150 workers shall use external OSH services.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Arts. 271-272, Art. 275, Art. 277, Art. 279, Art. 282)
Summary / Citation: OSH legislation provides that workplaces with 150 workers or more are required to have: -a Safety Service; -a Medical Service; -a Hygiene Service.
Workplaces with less than 150 workers shall use external services.
Summary / Citation: Professionals in charge of OSH services are obliged to be registered in the Occupational Safety and Health Directorate to exercise their functions.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 276, Art. 280.4, Art. 281)
Summary/citation: OSH legislation provides that workplaces with 150 workers or more are required to have: -a Safety Service; -a Medical Service;-a Hygiene Service.
Summary / Citation: Workers must refrain from any act that might endanger their own safety.
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Art. 65 e)
Summary / Citation: Workers must refrain from any act that might endanger the safety of their co-workers as well as of other persons.
Summary / Citation: Workers must follow and respect the law, regulations and orders related to accident prevention, safety, and occupational hygiene.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 295)
Summary / Citation: In industrial workplaces, workers in contact with chemical and biological products, and also their representatives have the right to:1. Receive information about the identification of chemicals or biological products used at work, their hazardous properties and preventive measures; 2. Get information posted on labels and symbols;3. Have access to safety data sheets;4. Receive any other useful information regarding their safety and health.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 241.2)
Summary / Citation: Workers in industrial workplaces in contact with chemicals and biological products have the right to remove themselves from a situation which they have a reasonable justification to believe presents an imminent or serious danger to their safety or health. They must report it immediately to the competent authorities. Workers are protected against unjustified consequences of these actions.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 241.1)
Summary / Citation: Workers have the right to withdraw from work with good cause when there is a serious danger to the safety, integrity or health of the worker or his/her family, resulting of a non compliance with OSH legislation by the employer.
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Art. 84(i))
Summary / Citation: Among the functions of the internal committee on accident prevention (workers' representatives are part of) are the task to periodically inspect workplaces, verifying compliance with legal regulations and to periodically inspect enterprises facilities, verifying compliance with legal regulations and the state of conservation of protective equipment and safety devices.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 292)
Summary / Citation: Workers shall be provided with sufficient and adequate information regarding risks they are exposed to (Art. 15).
In industrial workplaces, workers in contact with chemical and biological products, and also their representatives have the right to:1. Receive information about the identification of chemicals or biological products used at work, their hazardous properties and preventive measures; 2. Get information posted on labels and symbols;3. Have access to safety data sheets;4. Receive any other useful information regarding their safety and health, (Art. 241).
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Arts. 15, 241)
Summary / Citation: In every workplace an Occupational Health Program shall exist to prevent accidents and work-related occupational diseases.Enterprises with 100 or more workers must organise Internal Committees for Internal Accident Prevention (CIPA), with equal number of workers and employers representatives.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 271, Arts. 284-297)
Summary / Citation: The internal committees on accident prevention (CIPA) are composed of an equal number of representatives of the employer and of the workers, (Art. 284).
At least 4 workers' representatives shall be designated by the undertakings' administration for the internal committees on accident prevention (CIPA), (Art. 285).
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Arts. 284, 285)
Summary / Citation: Enterprises with 100 or more workers must organise internal committees on accident prevention (CIPA), composed by an equal number of representatives of the workers and of the employer.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Arts. 284-287)
Summary / Citation: The functions of the internal committee on accident prevention (CIPA) are:1) To investigate the origin and causes of accidents;2) To propose and recommend prevention measures to the employer;3) To periodically inspect workplaces, verifying compliance with legal regulations;4) To periodically inspect enterprises facilities, verifying compliance with legal regulations and the state of conservation of protective equipment and safety devices;5) To propose disciplinary measures for those breaking OSH regulations;6) To cooperate in order to ensure compliance with the regulations and internal instructions, accident prevention and safety and health in workplaces;7) To organize meetings, lectures, film screenings on accident prevention, safety and hygiene in workplaces.
Summary / Citation: The sessions of the internal committee on accident prevention (CIPA) shall start with the reading of the last session minutes. At the end of the session, the minutes shall be signed by every committee member.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 296)
Summary / Citation: Copies of the sessions' minutes of the internal committee on accident prevention (CIPA) shall be sent to the OSH service and to the Occupational Safety and Hygiene Directorate.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Arts. 236 -246)
Summary / Citation: Suppliers, manufacturers, importers or distributors of chemicals or biological products must:1. Provide employers with safety data sheets;2. Comply with the legal requirements to identify the products and the manufacturers;3. Ensure that the safety data sheets are ready and updated.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 238 3)
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Art. 281)
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 235)
Related CEACR Comments• Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) Observation 2006• Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (No. 115) Direct Request 2015
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Arts. 231-232)
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Arts. 196-205)
Summary / Citation: There are restrictions for young workers according to the International Labour Convention C182.
• Decreto núm. 4951 por el cual se reglamenta la Ley núm. 1657/2001 y se aprueba el listado de trabajo infantil peligroso. (Art. 2 .21)
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Arts. 227-228)
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 48, Art. 69)
• LEY No. 2969. Convenio OMS sobre control del Tabaco. (Tabacco Law No. 2969) (Art. 1)
• Resolución No. 750. Reglamentación referente al manejo de los Residuos Sólidos Urbanos Peligrosos Biológicos-Infecciosos, Industriales y Afines; y se deja sin efecto la Resolución S.G. N° 548 de fecha 21 de agosto. (Regulation No. 750 on Hazardous waste) (Annex 1 Y36)
• Ley No. 3940 DERECHOS, OBLIGACIONES Y MEDIDAS PREVENTIVAS CON RELACION A LOS EFECTOS PRODUCIDOS POR EL VIRUS DE INMUNODEFICIENCIA HUMANA (VIH) Y EL SINDROME DE INMUNODEFICIENCIA ADQUIRIDA (SIDA).(Law 3940 HIV Law) (Art. 15, Arts. 20-21)
• Resolución N. 472. Reglamentación del procedimiento de inspección de seguridad y salud en el trabajo y sanción a la violencia laboral, el mobbing o acoso laboral y el acoso sexual en los lugares de trabajo en empresas y dependencias del Estado. (Regulation No. 472 Mobbing)
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 162)
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Arts. 109-127)
Related CEACR Comments• Guarding of Machinery Convention, 1963 (No. 119) Observation 2007• Guarding of Machinery Convention, 1963 (No. 119) Direct Request 2014
Summary / Citation: OSH law requires frequent maintenance of particular machinery and equipment.
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Art. 105, Art. 121, Art. 131, Arts. 182-185 )
Summary / Citation: Need particular frequence of maintenance:1. Industrial refrigeration equipments;2. Machines and tools;3. Cranes;4. Automotive transport.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 105, Art. 121, Art. 131, Arts. 182-185 )
Summary / Citation: Pregnant and lactating workers shall not work in unhealthy or hazardous occupations, perform industrial night work, or work at industrial workplaces after 10 pm when there is a danger for the health of the mother or the child during the pregnancy or the lactating period.
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Art. 130)
Summary / Citation: Work which imply exposure to ultraviolet radiation is prohibited for women.
• Decree No. 14.390, General Technical Regulation on Occupational Safety, Hygiene and Medicine. (Art. 234. 5)
Summary / Citation: The work in contact with ultraviolet radiation, infrared rays, and ionizing radiation is prohibited for young workers. It is prohibited for young employees to be involved in hazardous or unhealthy work activities.
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Art. 125 d)
Related CEACR Comments• Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) Observation 2019• Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) Direct Request 2019• Night Work of Young Persons (Non-Industrial Occupations) Convention, 1946 (No. 79) Observation 2017• Night Work of Young Persons (Non-Industrial Occupations) Convention, 1946 (No. 79) Direct Request 2019• Night Work of Young Persons (Industry) Convention (Revised), 1948 (No. 90) Observation 2017• Night Work of Young Persons (Industry) Convention (Revised), 1948 (No. 90) Direct Request 2019
Summary / Citation: Employers must notify immediately to the Occupational Safety and Hygiene Directorate the occupational accidents resulting in casualties or serious disability of workers. Employers must report to the Occupational Safety and Hygiene Directorate the occupational accidents or diseases resulting in workers inability to work for more than 3 days. Employers must report to the authorities within 8 days the declaration of occupational disease.
Related CEACR Comments• Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2020• Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
Summary / Citation: The Ministry of Justice and Labour must organise an Inspectorate Service especially trained on the prevention of occupational accidents and diseases. Their duties and powers should be regulated. The Ministry of Justice and Labour and the Under-Secretariat of Labour and Social Security, through the General Directorate of Labour counts with an Inspection and Surveillance Department.
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Art. 282 a)
Summary / Citation: Labour inspectors are empowered to:- enter freely and without previous notice at any hour of the day or night any workplace liable to inspection;- enter during the day any premises which they may have reasonable cause to believe to be liable to inspection.
• Ley No. 1.235 aprueba y ratifica el Convenio No. 81 de la O.I.T. ( Law No. 1.235 adopting C81 ILO) (Art. 1 C81-12.1.a Art. 1 C81- Art. 12.1.b)
Summary / Citation: The inspectors have the power to ask for the documents required by law.
• Decreto núm. 3286 por el cual se organiza la Dirección del Trabajo dependiente del Ministerio de Justicia y Trabajo (Art. 8.4)
Summary / Citation: Labour inspectors are empowered to carry out any examination, test or enquiry which they may consider necessary in order to verify that OSH legal provisions are being strictly enforced.
• Ley No. 1.235 aprueba y ratifica el Convenio No. 81 de la O.I.T. ( Law No. 1.235 adopting C81 ILO) (Art. 1 C81-12.1.c)
Summary / Citation: The inspectorate must provide technical information and advice to employers and workers concerning the most effective means of complying with legal OSH provisions.
• Ley No. 1.235 aprueba y ratifica el Convenio No. 81 de la O.I.T. ( Law No. 1.235 adopting C81 ILO) (Art. 1 C81- 3.b)
Summary / Citation: Inspectors are empowered to require that changes to the undertakings or plants are applied within a specified time limit if this is necessary to ensure compliance with legal OSH provisions.
• Ley No. 1.235 aprueba y ratifica el Convenio No. 81 de la O.I.T. ( Law No. 1.235 adopting C81 ILO) (Art. 1 C81- 13.2.a)
Summary / Citation: Inspectors are empowered to require measures to be immediately implemented in the event of imminent danger to the health or safety of the workers.
• Ley No. 1.235 aprueba y ratifica el Convenio No. 81 de la O.I.T. ( Law No. 1.235 adopting C81 ILO) (Art. 1 C81- 13.2.b)
Summary / Citation: The Ministry of Justice and Labour has discretionary power to impose financial penalties for violations of labour legislation, including OSH legislation. Employers have the right to appeal to the Labour Courts.
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Art. 391, Art. 398)
Summary / Citation: The Ministry of Justice and Labour has discretionary power to impose non-financial sanctions for violations of labour legislation, including OSH legislation. Employers have the right to appeal to the Labour Courts.
• Ley núm. 213 que establece el Código del Trabajo (Art. 385, Art. 398)
Summary / Citation: The possibility of prosecution for manslaughter is foreseen in the Criminal Code.
• Ley núm. 1160/97 que sanciona con fuerza de ley el Código Penal. (Art. 107)
