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Occupational Safety and Health (OSH)

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Qatar - 2015

Themes

1 Description of national OSH regulatory framework
- 1.1 Description of OSH regulatory framework
  Summary/citation: OSH aspects are mainly regulated in the Labour Law and in the Decree No. 20/2005 on Precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards.
  
  Migrant workers are governed by the Law No. 4 of 2009 Regulating the Entry and Exit of Expatriates in Qatar and their Residence and Sponsorship.
  
  There are specific decrees about the required medical services and examinations for workers, and obligations in the case of an accident or a disease.
  
  Moreover, there is a specific decree governing the organization of work inspection.
  • Legislation Qatar
  • Official Website of the Ministry of Labour
  • Occupational safety and health country profile of Qatar
  • Law No. 4 of 2009 Regulating the Entry and Exit of Expatriates in Qatar and their Residence and Sponsorship
  • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 19/2005 Regarding Regular Medical Examination of Workers Exposed to the Risk of Contracting Occupational Diseases
  • Decree No. 18/2005 Regarding Statistics about Occupational Injuries and Diseases and their Reporting
  • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards.
  • Decree No. 16/2005 Regarding Organising Medical Care within Organisations
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004
2 Scope, coverage and exclusions
- 2.1 Health and safety covers physical and psychological health
  Summary/citation: Psychological health is not specifically addressed by OSH legislation. However, the law requires the employer to conduct pre-employment medical examinations to ensure that the worker is psychologically fit for the type of work required.
  • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 19/2005 Regarding Regular Medical Examination of Workers Exposed to the Risk of Contracting Occupational Diseases
- 2.2 Definition of worker
  Summary/citation: Any natural person who works in return for a wage for an employer or under his control or supervision.
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (§ 1)
  - 2.2.1 Coverage of particular categories of workers
    Sometimes.
    - 2.2.1.1 Migrant workers
      Remarks / comments: Foreign workers are governed by the Law No. 4 of 2009 Regulating the Entry and Exit of Expatriates in Qatar and their Residence and Sponsorship and subject to the requirements established therein.
      • Law No. 4 of 2009 Regulating the Entry and Exit of Expatriates in Qatar and their Residence and Sponsorship
    - 2.2.1.2 Domestic workers
      Summary/citation: Domestic workers are excluded since the provisions of the Labour Law shall not apply to "domestic employment such as drivers, nurses, cooks, gardeners and similar workers".
      • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (§ 3, para. 4)
    - 2.2.1.3 Home workers
      No data available.
    - 2.2.1.4 Self-employed persons
      No data available.
- 2.3 Definition of employer
  Summary/citation: "Any natural or juristic person employing one or more workers in return for a wage."
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (§ 1)
- 2.4 Exclusion of branches of economic activity
  Sometimes.
  - 2.4.1 Agriculture
    Summary/citation: Agriculture is partially excluded since the law states that "except as otherwise provided for in any other law the provisions of this law shall not apply to the workers employed in agriculture and grazing other than the persons employed in the agricultural establishments processing and marketing their own products or those who are permanently employed in the operation or repair of the necessary agricultural mechanical appliances".
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (§ 3, para. 6)
  - 2.4.2 Construction
    Remarks / comments: The construction sector is not excluded by the Labour Law from its scope of application.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (§ 3)
  - 2.4.3 Services
    Remarks / comments: The services sector is not excluded by the Labour Law from its scope of application.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (§ 3)
  - 2.4.4 Public sector
    Summary/citation: Public sector is excluded from the scope of application of the Labour Law.
    The law states that "except as otherwise provided for in any other law the provisions of this law shall not apply to:
    - the employees and workers of the Ministries and other governmental organs, public institutions, corporations and companies which are established by Qatar Petroleum by itself or with others;
    - the workers whose employment affairs are regulated by special laws;
    - the officers and members of the armed forces and police".
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (§ 3, paras. 1,2)
  - 2.4.5 Other
    Summary/citation: Other categories of workers are excluded from the scope of application of the Labour Law. "Except as otherwise provided for in any other law the provisions of this law shall not apply to:
    - workers employed at sea;
    - workers employed in casual works;
    - working members of employer's family. These are the wife, ascendants and descendants who are residing with and wholly dependent on him."
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (§ 3, paras. 2,3,5)
- 2.5 Definition of occupational accident
  Summary/citation: The definition of work injury provided for in the law is the following: "suffering by the worker from any of the occupational diseases listed in schedule No.(1) to this law or any injury resulting from an accident happening to the worker during the performance of his work or by reason thereof or on his way to or back from his work provided that the journey to and from the work is made without any break lingering, or diversion from the normal route".
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (§ 1)
- 2.6 Definition of occupational disease
  No data available.
  - 2.6.1 List of occupational diseases
    Summary/citation: A list is recognized within the law: Schedule 1 attached to the Labour Law.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (§ 1)
  - 2.6.2 Mechanism for compensating other diseases as occupational ones
    No data available.
3 Institutions and programmes relating to OSH administration and/or enforcement
- 3.1 Competent national authority for safety and health at work
  Summary/citation: "There shall be established in the Department an organ to be named as the "Work Inspection Organ" aiming at the supervision of the application of the legislations concerning the protection of workers and shall have suborgans in the various parts of the State."
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (§ 135)
  - 3.1.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions
    Summary/citation: One of the objectives of the Work Inspection Organ is to ensure the enforcement of laws related to OSH by employers and workers.
    
    The Minister shall after coordination with the competent authority issue the necessary decisions for regulating the appliances concerning the vocational health and safety in the establishments and specifying and regulating the services and precautionary measures that are necessary for protecting the workers during the work from the dangers of the work and equipment and means and levels thereof and for the regulation of the means of protection from the vocational diseases.
    • Decree No. 13/2005 Regarding Organisation of Work Inspection (§ 1)
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Art. 102)
  - 3.1.2 Chairperson and composition
    Summary/citation: "The inspection organ shall be formed of a sufficient number of administrative officials specified by a decision of the minister. These officials shall be named Work Inspectors and the assistance of specialists in the various specializations may be called whenever necessary."
    • Decree No. 13/2005 Regarding Organisation of Work Inspection (§ 135)
- 3.2 National OSH research programme or institute
  Summary/citation: The law does not establish a national OSH research programme or institute. Nevertheless, one of the roles of this Work Inspection Organ is to conduct research with respect to inspection matters and collect information on the application of laws at the workplace.
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (§ 1)
  - 3.2.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions
    No.
  - 3.2.2 Governance board constitution and chairmanship
    No.
  - 3.2.3 Source of funding
    No.
- 3.3 National OSH programme
  No data available.
  - 3.3.1 Consultation on the national OSH programme
    No data available.
4 Employers’ duties and responsibilities to protect the safety and health of workers and others
- 4.1 Duty to ensure the health and safety of employees
  Summary/citation: The employer shall take all precautionary measures for protecting workers from any injury or disease that may result from the work performed in the establishment or from any accident, defect or breakdown in the machinery and equipment therein or from fire.
  The employer may not burden the worker with or deduct from his wage any sum in return for his providing these precautionary means.
  • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Art. 4)
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Art. 100)
- 4.2 Duty to protect the health and safety of people other than their own employees
  No data available.
- 4.3 Collaboration among two or more employers at the same workplace
  No data available.
- 4.4 Surveillance of workers’ health in relation to work
  Summary / Citation: Specific medical examinations are required periodically.
  The periodical medical check-ups shall be carried out on the workers exposed to the dangers of infliction with the vocational diseases in all activities of the work at intervals appropriate to the hazards involved in the work in accordance with the measures to be specified by the competent authorities specifying the types of such check-ups and the intervals in which they shall be carried out.
  The employer shall keep the results of these check-ups in the files concerning the workers.
  If the results of the check-up shows the infliction of the worker with one of the occupational diseases the employer shall notify the Department thereof within three days from the date of his knowing the result of the check-up.
  Remarks / comments: The "Department" refers to the Labour Department of the Ministry according to Art. 1 of the Labour Law 2004.
  • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 19/2005 Regarding Regular Medical Examination of Workers Exposed to the Risk of Contracting Occupational Diseases
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Art. 105)
  - 4.4.1 Specific hazards for which surveillance is required
    Summary / Citation: Medical examinations are required according to the exposure of workers to particular hazards. Special frequencies for medical examinations (once/6 months; once/year; once/2 years) are required, according to the type of hazard exposed to.
    • Decree No. 18/2005 Regarding Statistics about Occupational Injuries and Diseases and their Reporting (Article 2)
- 4.5 Surveillance of the working environment and working practices
  Summary / Citation: The employer shall implement a specific supervisory programme which regularly ensures that workers are protected from risks at the workplace.
  • Decree No. 16/2005 Regarding Organising Medical Care within Organisations (Article 1, Paragraph 6)
- 4.6 Duty to provide personal protective equipment
  Summary / Citation: The employer shall provide protective equipment and uniforms that are compatible with the nature of the work, and the type of hazard encountered. The employer shall also train the workers on using these equipment and to ensure procedures for its maintenance, cleaning and sterilization.
  
  The employer may not burden the worker with or deduct from his wage any sum in return for his providing these precautionary means.
  • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 1, Article 5)
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Art. 100)
- 4.7 Duty to ensure the usage of personal protective equipment
  Summary / Citation: The employer shall provide information and training to the employee. The duty is mostly on employees to adhere to the instructions of the employer regarding the use of these equipment, and to maintain them. The employee shall also inform the employer of any malfunction regarding the personal protective equipment.
  • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 1, Article 6)
- 4.8 Duty to provide first-aid and welfare facilities
  Yes.
  - 4.8.1 Arrangements for first-aid
    Summary / Citation: Establishments with a number of workers ranging from five to twenty-five shall have a first aid box furnished with the medicines, tools and equipment to be specified by the competent medical authority. The box shall be kept in a conspicuous place in the establishment and shall be available to the workers. The use of the box shall be entrusted to a worker trained in providing first-aid medical services.
    Restrictions / obligations: If the number of workers in an establishment exceeds of twenty-five there shall be a first aid box for every group of workers ranging from five to twenty-five workers. It the number of the workers in the establishment exceeds hundred workers the employer shall appoint a full-time medical nurse in the established in addition to the first-aid box.
    If the number of the workers exceeds five hundred workers the employer shall designate to them a clinic employing at least a physician and a nurse.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 10, Article 104)
  - 4.8.2 Sanitary installations
    Summary / Citation: Employers shall provide toilets and shower areas (in specific cases) equipped with hygienic materials.
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 9, Article 62, Paragraph 3)
  - 4.8.3 Drinking water
    Summary / Citation: Employers shall provide workers with cold water in sufficient quantity.
    
    The employers employing workers in locations distant from the cities and to which the usual means of transportation are not available shall provide them with the following services among others:
    Potable water Suitable foodstuff or the means of obtaining thereof.
    The said locations shall be specified by a Decision of the Minister.
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 9, Article 62, Paragraph 4)
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Art. 106)
  - 4.8.4 Rest and eating areas
    Summary / Citation: Employers shall provide rest and eating areas in healthy conditions.
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 9, Article 62, Paragraph 1)
5 Employers’ duty to organize prevention formally along generally accepted OSH management principles and practices
- 5.1 Elements of an OSH management system
  Sometimes.
  - 5.1.1 Policy or plan specifying responsibilities and arrangements for health and safety
    Summary/citation: Employers are required to put in place a programme for the prevention of occupational hazards, their early detection, and for monitoring of hazards and treatment.
    • Decree No. 16/2005 Regarding Organising Medical Care within Organisations (Article 1, Paragraph 6)
  - 5.1.2 Appointment of a person for health and safety
    Summary/citation: There are no references to an OSH practitioner in particular, other than a nurse/physician at the workplace:
    The employer shall appoint a full-time medical nurse for 100+ workers.
    The establishment shall have a medical clinic with a medical nurse and a physician when there are more than 500 workers.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part Ten, Article 104)
  - 5.1.3 Written risk assessment
    No data available.
  - 5.1.4 Safe operating work systems and procedures
    Summary/citation: The employer shall ensure that the working environment is protected from health risks. The employer is required to implement a system that continuously monitors the working environment and guarantees its safety.
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 1, Article 1)
  - 5.1.5 Training and information on risks
    Summary/citation: The employer or his representative shall on the commencement of every worker’s engagement inform him of the hazards of the work and the hazards which may occur thereafter and shall inform him of the safety measures to be taken for the protection therefrom and shall post up in a conspicuous place his detailed instructions concerning the means of observing vocational health and safety for protecting the workers from the hazards to which they are exposed during performance of their work.
    (Qatar Labour Law 2004, Art. 99)
    
    Before starting work, employers shall inform workers of safety instructions to prevent any accidents/injuries or diseases at the workplace. The employer shall issue written safety instructions in a language that is understood by workers. Workers shall confirm understanding of such instructions with their signature.
    The employer shall also post clear and visible safety notices/instructions for workers.
    (Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards, Chapter 1, Article 4 and Article 7)
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 1, Article 4 and Article 7)
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Art. 99)
  - 5.1.6 Review or assessment of the results of preventive measures
    Summary/citation: The employer is required to implement a system that continuously monitors the environment and guarantees its safety.
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 1, Article 1)
  - 5.1.7 Consultation with workers in health and safety
    Summary/citation: In the case there is a joint OSH committee at the workplace, discussions can occur about OSH.
    However, workers shall inform and ask to stop the work (partially or completely) or a machine to whom it may concern in case there is a danger at work, until the danger is removed. Moreover, they shall inform the employer once the personal protective equipment is no longer functional.
    Restrictions / obligations: 30 or more workers are needed to establish a committee with representatives of workers and the employer.
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 10, Article 63; Chapter 1, Article 6)
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 13, Article 126; )
- 5.2 Obligation to implement a specific OSH management system or standard
  No data available.
6 Employers’ duty to ensure availability of expertise and competence in health and safety
- 6.1 OSH competence
  No data available.
  - 6.1.1 Requirement to access expert advice and/or support in health and safety
    No data available.
    - 6.1.1.1 Qualifications of experts or professional services
      No data available.
- 6.2 Appointment of an OSH practitioner
  Summary/citation: There are no references to an OSH practitioner in particular, other than a nurse/physician at the workplace:
  The employer shall appoint a full-time medical nurse for 100+ workers.
  The establishment shall have a medical clinic with a medical nurse and a physician when there are more than 500 workers.
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part Ten, Article 104)
  - 6.2.1 Workforce size threshold for the appointment of OSH practitioners
    Summary/citation: Workforce size for the appointment of a nurse: 100 or more workers;
    Workforce size for the appointment of a physician: 500 or more workers.
7 Workers' rights and duties
- 7.1 Duty to take reasonable steps to protect their own safety and health
  Summary / Citation: The worker shall:
  -Follow the occupational safety and health instructions prescribed in the establishment.
  -Cooperate in the prevention of accidents in the workplace or in the alleviation of the results thereof.
  
  The worker shall not commit any action or omission with the intention of hampering the execution of the instructions of the employer concerning the conservation of the health of the workers or securing their safety or with the intention of damaging or breaking down of any appliances or equipment prepared for this purpose.
  The worker shall use the protection devices and the uniform prepared as provided to him by the employer and shall obey all instructions of the employer aiming at protecting the worker from injuries and diseases.
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Arts. 42, Paragraph 5 and 6; 101)
- 7.2 Duty to take reasonable steps to protect the safety and health of others
  Summary / Citation: The worker shall not commit any action or omission with the intention of hampering the execution of the instructions of the employer on safety and health or of damaging or breaking down of any appliances or equipment for this purpose.
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 10, Article 101)
- 7.3 Supervisors’ duty to take reasonable steps to protect the safety and health of others
  No data available.
- 7.4 Senior officers’ duty to take reasonable steps to protect the safety and health of others
  No data available.
- 7.5 Self-employed persons’ duty to take reasonable steps to protect their own and other people’s health and safety
  No data available.
- 7.6 Duty to comply with OSH-related requirements
  Summary / Citation: The worker shall:
  -Follow the occupational safety and health instructions prescribed in the establishment.
  -Cooperate in the prevention of accidents in the workplace or in the alleviation of the results thereof.
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 4, Article 42, Paragraph 5 and 6)
- 7.7 Right to enquire about risks and preventive measures
  Summary / Citation: In the case there is a joint OSH committee at the workplace, discussions can occur about OSH.
  Restrictions / obligations: When there are 30 or more workers a joint committee of representatives of workers and the employer shall be established.
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 13, Article 126; )
- 7.8 Right to remove themselves from a dangerous situation
  Summary / Citation: Workers shall inform and ask to stop the work (partially or completely) or a machine to whom it may concern in case there is a danger at work, until the danger is removed.
  • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 10, Article 63; Chapter 1, Article 6)
- 7.9 Right to be reassigned to non-hazard work
  No data available.
  - 7.9.1 Right to withdraw with compensation when workers are not reassigned to non-hazard work
    Summary / Citation: The worker may terminate the service contract before its expiry date - if the contract is of a definite duration and without giving reasons for the termination if the contract is of an indefinite duration, and retains his full entitlements, when continuance with the work endangers the safety and health of the worker provided that the employer is aware of the danger and does not take the necessary steps to remove it.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 4, Article 51, Paragraph 4)
8 Consultation, collaboration and co-operation with workers and their representatives
- 8.1 National OSH committee, commission, council or similar body
  No data available.
  - 8.1.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions
    No data available.
  - 8.1.2 Constitution and chairmanship modalities
    No data available.
- 8.2 Employers’ duty to consult workers on risks
  Summary / Citation: In the case there is a joint OSH committee at the workplace, discussions can occur about OSH.
  Restrictions / obligations: When there are 30 or more workers a joint committee of representatives of workers and the employer shall be established.
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 13, Article 124, Article 126; )
- 8.3 Workers’ right to select their representatives for health and safety matters
  Sometimes.
  - 8.3.1 Workforce size conditions for workers’ representation in health and safety
    Summary / Citation: A joint OSH committee embodying representatives of the employer and workers shall be established when there are 30 or more workers.
    The number of members of the joint committee shall be of 4 when the number of workers is 200 or less;
    6 when the number of the workers is more than 200 and less than 500;
    8 when the number of the workers is more 500.
    Half of the members shall represent the employer and the other half shall represent the workers.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 13, Article 124)
  - 8.3.2 Conditions of eligibility to represent workers in health and safety
    Summary / Citation: The nomination of the representatives of the workers in the committee shall be as follows: 1. If there is a "Workers' Committee" in the establishment, then it shall assume the nomination of the workers representatives in the joint committee from amongst its members. 2. If there is no "Workers' Committee" in the establishment, the workers therein shall nominate their representatives in the joint committee through direct election.
    The Minister shall issue a decision regulating the conditions and procedures of election.
    Restrictions / obligations: The workers working in an establishment where the number of Qatari workers is not less than hundred workers may form a committee from amongst themselves to be named "Workers' Committee" and there shall not be more than one committee in the establishment.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 13, Article 125; Part 12, Article 116)
- 8.4 OSH representatives’ functions, rights and powers
  Sometimes.
  - 8.4.1 Right to inspect the workplace
    No data available.
  - 8.4.2 Right to access OSH information
    No data available.
  - 8.4.3 Right to be present at interviews
    No data available.
  - 8.4.4 Right to receive professional assistance from OSH experts
    No data available.
  - 8.4.5 Right to accompany inspectors
    No data available.
  - 8.4.6 Right to use facilities
    No data available.
  - 8.4.7 Right to have time off work with pay to perform duties
    No data available.
  - 8.4.8 Right to issue remedial notices
    No data available.
  - 8.4.9 Right to resolve OSH issues in consultation with employers
    Summary / Citation: Workers' representatives within the joint committee shall study and discuss safety measures against hazards and the improvement of compliance with occupational safety and health. They shall submit recommendations on these matters to the employer to consider whether they can be implemented.
    Restrictions / obligations: When there are 30 or more workers a joint committee of representatives of workers and the employer shall be established.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 13, Article 126)
  - 8.4.10 Right to direct that dangerous work cease
    No data available.
- 8.5 Right of workers’ representatives from outside the undertaking to address OSH issues at the workplace
  No data available.
  - 8.5.1 Right to enter the workplace
    No data available.
  - 8.5.2 Right to investigate suspected non-compliance with OSH legislation
    No data available.
  - 8.5.3 Right to consult with workers
    No data available.
  - 8.5.4 Right to advise workers
    No data available.
  - 8.5.5 Right to initiate enforcement action
    No data available.
- 8.6 Joint OSH Committee
  Sometimes.
  - 8.6.1 Participation of workers’ representatives in joint OSH committee
    Summary / Citation: Half of the members shall represent the employer and the other half shall represent the workers.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 13, Article 124; )
  - 8.6.2 Conditions for establishing a joint OSH committee
    Summary / Citation: A joint OSH committee embodying representatives of the employer and workers shall be established when there are 30 or more workers.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Section 13, Article 124)
  - 8.6.3 Objectives, roles and/or functions of joint OSH committees
    Summary / Citation: Workers' representatives within the joint committee shall study and discuss safety measures against hazards and the improvement of compliance with occupational safety and health. They shall submit recommendations on these matters to the employer to consider whether they can be implemented.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Section 13, Article 126)
  - 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)
  No data available.
- 8.8 Protection against reprisals
  No data available.
- 8.9 Immunity from civil and criminal liability for exercising OSH related rights and duties
  No data available.
9 Specific hazards or risks
- 9.1 Biological hazards
  No data available.
- 9.2 Chemical hazards
  Sometimes.
  - 9.2.1 Handling, storage, labelling and use
    Summary / Citation: A detailed description of precautions for protection from chemical hazards is provided (these measures include replacing harmful chemicals, preventing the accumulation of chemical wastes…etc.)
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 8)
  - 9.2.2 Duty of manufacturers, suppliers and importers of chemicals in relation to the safety and health of users
    No data available.
  - 9.2.3 Pesticides
    Yes.
    • Decree No. 10/1968 on Pesticides
- 9.3 Ergonomic hazards
  No data available.
- 9.4 Physical hazards
  Sometimes.
  - 9.4.1 Ionising radiation
    No data available.
  - 9.4.2 Vibration and noise
    Yes.
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 7, Article 50)
  - 9.4.3 Working at height
    No data available.
  - 9.4.4 Working in confined spaces
    No data available.
  - 9.4.5 Risks arising from poor maintenance of workplace facilities
    Summary / Citation: The employer shall take the measures capable of securing the hygiene and good ventilation in the places of work and shall provide it with the suitable lighting and potable water, hygiene and drainage, in accordance with the regulations and decisions to be issued by the competent authorities in this respect.
    
    A detailed description of requirements for proper maintenance of the workplace facility is provided including: floors, roofs, building walls, ladders, corridors…etc.)
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 2)
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Art. 103)
  - 9.4.6 Exposure to extreme temperatures
    Yes.
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 7, Articles 51-53)
  - 9.4.7 Fire risks
    Yes.
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 6)
  - 9.4.8 Tobacco
    Summary / Citation: Smoking is prohibited in particular areas of work (e.g.. public organizations, hospitals and other health settings).
    • Law No. 20 of 2002 on the control of tobacco and its derivatives (Article 10)
  - 9.4.9 Asbestos
    No data available.
  - 9.4.10 Risks related to nanotechnology
    No data available.
  - 9.4.11 Contraction of HIV in the workplace
    No data available.
- 9.5 Psychosocial hazards
  No data available.
  - 9.5.1 Psychosocial risks
    No data available.
  - 9.5.2 Occupational violence
    No data available.
- 9.6 Other hazardous substances
  Summary / Citation: The Law No. 30 of 2002 on Environmental Protection contains information on methods to deal with dangerous material.
  • Law No. 30 of 2002 on Environmental Protection (Chapter 1, Section 4,Articles 24-27)
- 9.7 Machineries
  Sometimes.
  - 9.7.1 Risks related to machinery and tools
    Summary / Citation: A detailed description of precautionary measures related to machinery is provided (these measures include proper maintenance, providing information to employees, using protective devices in machinery..).
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 3)
  - 9.7.2 Duty of designers and/or manufacturers of machineries in relation to the occupational safety and health of operators of machineries
    No data available.
  - 9.7.3 Duty of designers, manufacturers, importers or suppliers of machineries to provide machineries information
    Summary / Citation: A detailed description of precautionary measures related to machinery is provided (these measures include proper maintenance, providing information to employees, using protective devices in machinery..).
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 3)
  - 9.7.4 Duty to purchase machineries from authorised/certificated suppliers or only if approved/certificated
    No data available.
  - 9.7.5 Maintenance of machinery and equipment
    Summary / Citation: All machines should be regularly maintained by specialists, and a record of these maintenance procedures should be kept.
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 3, Article 28)
    - 9.7.5.1 List of equipment where applicable
      Summary / Citation: There is no complete list provided. Yet, equipment used for lifting should be checked on a weekly basis.
      • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 4, Article 33)
- 9.8 Provisions to protect workers in specific condition of vulnerability
  Sometimes.
  - 9.8.1 Protection of pregnancy at work
    Summary / Citation: Not specifically mentioned, yet it is stated that women shall not be employed in dangerous arduous works, works detrimental to their health, morals or other works to be specified by a Decision of the Minister.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 9, Article 94)
  - 9.8.2 Protection of lactating women at work
    Summary / Citation: Not specifically mentioned, yet it is stated that: "Women shall not be employed in dangerous arduous works, works detrimental to their health, morals or other works to be specified by a Decision of the Minister."
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 9, Article 94)
  - 9.8.3 Limits to women’s access to specific occupations, undertakings or shifts
    Summary / Citation: Women shall not be employed in dangerous arduous works, works detrimental to their health, morals or other works to be specified by a Decision of the Minister.
    Women shall not be employed other than in the conditions to be specified by a Decision of the Minister.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 9, Articles 94-95)
  - 9.8.4 Limits to workers’ access to specific occupations, undertakings or shifts by reason of age
    Summary / Citation: A child who has not attained the age of sixteen may not be employed in a work of whatsoever nature and shall not be permitted to enter into any workplace. Juveniles (aged between 16 and 18) shall not be employed in works, where its nature and circumstance may cause damage to the health, safety or morals thereof. These works shall be determined by a decision of the Minister.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 8, Articles 86 and 87)
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) Direct Request 2009
10 Recording, notification and investigation of accidents/incidents and diseases
- 10.1 Duty to record and/or investigate the causes of work accidents, near misses incidents and cases of occupational diseases
  Yes.
  - 10.1.1 Work-related accidents
    Summary / Citation: Employer or his/her representative must keep in a safe place records in relation to work injuries/accidents.
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 2, Article 9, Paragraph 2)
  - 10.1.2 Near miss incidents
    Summary / Citation: Employer or his/her representative must keep in a safe place records in relation to work injuries/accidents.
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 2, Article 9, Paragraph 2)
  - 10.1.3 Occupational diseases
    Summary / Citation: Employer or his/her representative must keep in a safe place records in relation to occupational diseases.
    • Minister of Civil Service Affairs and Housing Decree No. 20/2005 on precautions and steps that should be taken in the workplace to protect workers and visitors from occupational hazards. (Chapter 2, Article 9, Paragraph 2)
- 10.2 Employers’ duty to notify OSH authorities of work related death and/or injuries to health
  Summary / Citation: If the worker dies while on duty or because of the work or sustains a work injury the employer or his representative shall immediately notify the police and the Department of the incident.
  The notification shall include the name, age, profession, address and nationality of the worker and a brief description of the incident, the circumstance where it took place and the actions taken for aiding or curing the worker.
  The police shall upon receipt of the information undertake the necessary inquiries and the record shall contain the statements of the witnesses and the employer or his representative and the statements of the injured if his condition so permits and the record shall explain the relationship of the incident to the work.
  The police shall upon completion of the inquiry send a copy of the record to the Department and a copy to the employer. The Department may require completion of the inquiry if it deems necessary.
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 11. Article 108)
  Related CEACR Comments
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2020
  • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
11 OSH inspection and enforcement of OSH legislation
- 11.1 Appointment of OSH inspectors
  Summary / Citation: "There shall be established in the Department an organ to be named as the "Work Inspection Organ" aiming at the supervision of the application of the legislations concerning the protection of workers and shall have suborgans in the various parts of the State."
  Remarks / comments: The "Department" refers to the Labour Department of the Ministry according to Art. 1 of the Labour Law 2004.
  • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 15, Article 135)
- 11.2 OSH inspectors’ powers
  Yes.
  - 11.2.1 Power to enter workplaces
    Summary / Citation: Inspectors have the power to enter workplaces during working hours during the day or at night without prior notification.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 15, Article 138, Paragraph 1)
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2020
    • 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: The functions of labour inspectors include collecting documents, samples of materials, and inspecting the establishment and machinery as well as questioning the employer/a representative or workers.
    • Decree No. 13/2005 Regarding Organisation of Work Inspection (Chapter 2; Part 15, Article 138)
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2020
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
  - 11.2.3 Power to investigate
    Summary / Citation: The functions of labour inspectors include collecting documents, samples of materials, and inspecting the establishment and machinery as well as questioning the employer/a representative or workers.
    • Decree No. 13/2005 Regarding Organisation of Work Inspection (Chapter 2; Part 15, Article 138)
  - 11.2.4 Duty to provide advice on OSH
    Summary / Citation: The functions of labour inspectors include ensuring compliance with legislation, advising workers and employers about the law implementation, and helping with solutions to OSH problems.
    • Decree No. 13/2005 Regarding Organisation of Work Inspection (Chapter 2; Part 15, Article 138)
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2020
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
- 11.3 OSH inspectors’ enforcement powers
  Sometimes.
  - 11.3.1 Power to issue orders or notices
    Summary / Citation: Inspectors have the power to issue notices in case of non-compliance with OSH legislation while specifying the timeframe within which changes shall be made by the employer (this may range between 2 weeks to 1 month).
    • Decree No. 13/2005 Regarding Organisation of Work Inspection (Chapter 3, Article 12)
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2020
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
  - 11.3.2 Power to impose financial penalties
    No data available.
  - 11.3.3 Power to revoke or suspend licenses or authorisations
    No data available.
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2020
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
  - 11.3.4 Power to require the cessation of dangerous work
    No data available.
    Related CEACR Comments
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2020
    • Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2020
  - 11.3.5 Power to initiate prosecutions
    No data available.
  - 11.3.6 Power to conduct prosecutions
    No data available.
  - 11.3.7 Other enforcement powers
    No data available.
- 11.4 Application of sanctions by courts
  Sometimes.
  - 11.4.1 Financial penalties for legal persons
    Summary / Citation: 2000-5000 Riyals (549$-1374$ approximately). And, up to 10,000 Riyal in case of failure to implement the conciliation (2747$ approximately).
    
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 16, Article 145 and 146)
  - 11.4.2 Financial penalties for natural persons
    Summary / Citation: 2000-5000 Riyals (549$-1374$ approximately). And, up to 10,000 Riyal in case of failure to implement the conciliation (2747$ approximately).
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Part 16, Article 145 and 146)
  - 11.4.3 Non-financial sanctions
    Summary / Citation: The Department shall in case of the employer omitting to take the precautionary measures referred to or in case of imminent dangers threatening the health or safety of the workers report the matter to the Minister for issuing a decision for the partial or total closure of the place of work or stoppage of one or more machines from work pending the elimination of the causes of the danger.
    In such case the employer shall undertake to pay the wages of the workers in full during the period of closure or suspension.
    Remarks / comments: The "Department" refers to the Labour Department of the Ministry according to Art. 1 of the Labour Law 2004.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Art. 100)
  - 11.4.4 Criminal liability
    Summary / Citation: Whoever violates the provisions of Articles 29, 33, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 93, 94, 103, 104, 105, 108, 122 and 133 of this law shall be penalized with imprisonment for a period not exceeding one month and with a fine of not less than two thousand Riyals and not exceed six thousand Riyals or with any of these two penalties.
    
    And in the violations relating to the recruitment of workers from abroad for the account of third parties the court may in addition to the penalties provided for in the preceding paragraph order the closure of the office and the cancellation of the license.
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Art. 145)
  - 11.4.5 Terms of imprisonment for natural persons
    Summary / Citation: Maximum of one month.
    
    • Qatar Labour Law 2004 (Art. 145)

Qatar - 2015

Themes

1 Description of national OSH regulatory framework

1.1 Description of OSH regulatory framework

2 Scope, coverage and exclusions

2.1 Health and safety covers physical and psychological health

2.2 Definition of worker

2.2.1 Coverage of particular categories of workers

2.2.1.1 Migrant workers

2.2.1.2 Domestic workers

2.2.1.3 Home workers

2.2.1.4 Self-employed persons

2.3 Definition of employer

2.4 Exclusion of branches of economic activity

2.4.1 Agriculture

2.4.2 Construction

2.4.3 Services

2.4.4 Public sector

2.4.5 Other

2.5 Definition of occupational accident

2.6 Definition of occupational disease

2.6.1 List of occupational diseases

2.6.2 Mechanism for compensating other diseases as occupational ones

3 Institutions and programmes relating to OSH administration and/or enforcement

3.1 Competent national authority for safety and health at work

3.1.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions

3.1.2 Chairperson and composition

3.2 National OSH research programme or institute

3.2.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions

3.2.2 Governance board constitution and chairmanship

3.2.3 Source of funding

3.3 National OSH programme

3.3.1 Consultation on the national OSH programme

4 Employers’ duties and responsibilities to protect the safety and health of workers and others

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

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

4.8.2 Sanitary installations

4.8.3 Drinking water

4.8.4 Rest and eating areas

5 Employers’ duty to organize prevention formally along generally accepted OSH management principles and practices

5.1 Elements of an OSH management system

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

5.1.2 Appointment of a person for health and safety

5.1.3 Written risk assessment

5.1.4 Safe operating work systems and procedures

5.1.5 Training and information on risks

5.1.6 Review or assessment of the results of preventive measures

5.1.7 Consultation with workers in health and safety

5.2 Obligation to implement a specific OSH management system or standard

6 Employers’ duty to ensure availability of expertise and competence in health and safety

6.1 OSH competence

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

6.1.1.1 Qualifications of experts or professional services

6.2 Appointment of an OSH practitioner

6.2.1 Workforce size threshold for the appointment of OSH practitioners

7 Workers' rights and duties

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

8 Consultation, collaboration and co-operation with workers and their representatives

8.1 National OSH committee, commission, council or similar body

8.1.1 Objectives, roles and/or functions

8.1.2 Constitution and chairmanship modalities

8.2 Employers’ duty to consult workers on risks

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