Summary/citation: Legislation on occupational safety and health is mostly included within the Labour Code and the Social Security legislation. In addition, there are other enactments that contain some occupational safety and health provisions such as the Rules of Implementation for the Control and Regulation of Labor Inspection Activities of 1970 and more recently the Minister's Labour Decree No. 159 of 2009, establishing a chart of Occupational Diseases in Saudi Arabia.
• Occupational safety and health country profile: Saudi Arabia
• General Organization for Social Insurance. Social Security Laws.
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51)
Summary/citation: Worker is defined as "any natural person working for an employer and under his management or supervision for a wage, even if he is not under his direct control."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part 1, Chapter 1, Article 2)
Summary/citation: "The provisions of this law shall apply to any contract whereby a person commits himself to work for an employer and under his management or supervision for a wage."
Remarks / comments: Exceptions apply to Non Saudi workers entering the Kingdom to perform a specific task for a period not exceeding two months as per Chapter 2, Article 7, Paragraph 5.
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part 1, Chapter 2, Article 5(1))
Summary/citation: "The following shall be exempted from the implementation of the provisions of this law: domestic helpers and the like."
Remarks / comments: The Ministry shall, in combination with the competent authorities, draft regulations for domestic helpers and the like to govern their relations with their employers and specify the rights and duties of each party and submit the same to the Council of Ministers.
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part 1, Chapter 2, Article7, Paragraph 2)
Summary/citation: Employer is defined as: "Any natural or corporate person employing one or more workers for a wage."
Summary/citation: "The provisions of this law shall not apply to agricultural workers other than the categories stated in Article (5) of this Law."
Remarks / comments: "Agricultural workers are described in Article 5 as:(4) Workers of agricultural and pastoral firms that employ ten or more workers.(5) Workers of agricultural firms that process their own products.(6) Workers who operate or repair agricultural machineries on a permanent basis."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part 1, Chapter 2, Articles 5 and 7)
Remarks / comments: Construction is not excluded from the scope of OSH legislation.
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Chapter 1, Article 2)
Remarks / comments: Services are not excluded from the scope of OSH legislation.
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part 1, Chapter 2, Article 5)
Summary/citation: "The provisions of this law shall apply to workers of the government and public organizations and institutions.
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Chapter 2, Article 5)
Summary/citation: "The following shall be exempted from the implementation of the provisions of this Law:(1) The employer's family members, namely, the spouse, the ascendants and descendants who constitute the only workers of the firm.(3) Sea workers working on board of vessels with a load of less than five hundred tons.(5) Non-Saudi workers entering the Kingdom to perform a specific task for a period not exceeding two months.(6) Players and coaches of sports clubs and federations."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part 1, Chapter 2, Article 7)
Summary/citation: "An injury shall be deemed a work injury in accordance with the provisions of the Social Insurance Law. Ocupational diseases shall also be considered as work injuries and the date the first medical diagnosis of the disesase shall be treated tantamount to the date of the injury."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Chapter 3, Article 134)
Summary/citation: "An injury shall be deemed a work injury in accordance with the provisions of the Social Insurance Law. Ocupational diseases shall also be considered as work injuries and the date the first medical diagnosis of the disesase shall be treated tantamount to the date of the injury.""The disease established to be caused by work shall be considered as employment injury, and so does the occupational disease duly determined in accordance with the principles set forth in the next paragraph, and the date of the first medical diagnosis of the disease shall be regarded as the date on which the injury is sustained."
• General Organization for Social Insurance. Social Security Laws. (Section 1, Article 27, Paragraph 2)
• Minister of Labour Decree No. 159/Insurance of 7/3/1430 [hijri], establishing a chart of Occupational Diseases in Saudi Arabia.
• Minister of Labour Decree No. 160/Insurances on 7/3/1430 [hiji], establishing a table directory for determining occupational disabilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Chapter 3, Article 137)
Summary/citation: Ministry of Labour is responsible for OSH matters. The Labour office is the administrative authority assuming jurisdiction over the labour affairs within an area specified by a decision of the Minister.
Summary/citation: "An employer shall take the necessary precautions to protect the workers against hazards, occupational diseases, the machinery in use, and shall ensure work safety and protection. He shall post in a prominent place in the firm the instructions related to work and workers safety in Arabic and, when necessary, in any other language that the workers understand. The employer may not charge the workers or deduct from their wages any amounts for the provision of such protection."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part VIII, Chapter One, Article 122)
Summary/citation: "An employer shall be responsible for emergencies and accidents which may affect persons, other than his workers, who enter the workplaces by virtue of their official duties or with the approval of the employer or his agents, if such emergencies and accidents are due to negligence in taking the technical precautions required by the nature of his work, and he shall compensate them for damage and harm they may sustain in accordance with the general laws."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part VIII, Chapter One, Article 126)
Summary / Citation: "An employer shall assign one or more physicians to provide, at least once a year, a comprehensive medical examination for his workers who are exposed to any of the occupational diseases listed in the Schedules of Occupational Diseases provided for in the Social Insurance Law. The findings of the examination shall be kept in the employer’s records as well as in the workers’ files."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (PartVIII, Chapter 4, Article 143)
Summary / Citation: An employer shall assign one or more physicians to provide, at least once a year, a comprehensive medical examination for his workers who are exposed to any of the occupational diseases listed in the Schedules of Occupational Diseases provided for in the Social Insurance Law. The findings of the examination shall be kept in the employer’s records as well as in the workers’ files.
Summary / Citation: "An employer shall take the necessary precautions to protect the workers against hazards, occupational diseases, the machinery in use, and shall ensure work safety and protection. He shall post in a prominent place in the firm the instructions related to work and workers safety in Arabic and, when necessary, in any other language that the workers understand. The employer may not charge the workers or deduct from their wages any amounts for the provision of such protection."
Summary / Citation: "An employer shall inform the worker, prior to engaging in the work, of the hazards of his job and shall require him to use the prescribed protective equipment. The employer shall supply the workers with the appropriate personal gear and train them on their use."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part VIII, Chapter One, Article 123)
Summary / Citation: An employer shall make available one or more medical aid cabinets, supplied with drugs and other necessities required for first aid. The Regulations shall specify the contents of such cabinets of first aid means, numbers of such means and quantities of drugs and shall also regulate the method of keeping them and the conditions and requirements to be satisfied by first aid providers.
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part VIII, Chapter 2, Article 142)
Summary / Citation: "An employer shall maintain the firm in a clean and hygienic condition. He shall provide lighting, supply potable and washing water and comply with other rules, measures and standards of occupational protection, health and safety in accordance with what is specified in the Minister’s decision."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part VIII, Chapter 1, Article 121)
Summary / Citation: "An employer shall provide at his own expense all or some of the following, as may be determined by the Minister, to those who work in remote locations (...) suitable recreational and educational services and sports facilities annexed to the workplaces".
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Chater 3, Article 146 (c))
Summary/citation: It is only mentioned that: "An employer shall take the necessary precautions to protect the workers against hazards, occupational diseases, the machinery in use, and shall ensure work safety and protection. He shall post in a prominent place in the firm the instructions related to work and workers safety in Arabic and, when necessary, in any other language that the workers understand. The employer may not charge the workers or deduct from their wages any amounts for the provision of such protection."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part VIII, Chapter 1, Article 122)
Summary/citation: An employer shall inform the worker, prior to engaging in the work, of the hazards of his job and shall require him to use the prescribed protective equipment. The employer shall supply the workers with the appropriate personal gear and train them on their use.
Summary / Citation: A worker shall use and preserve the personal protective equipment designated for each process and shall carry out the instructions established to protect his health against injuries and diseases. He shall refrain from any action or omission that may lead to failure to implement the instructions, misuse or impair the devices provided to protect the workplace as well as the health and safety of fellow workers.
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part VIII, Chapter One, Article 124)
Summary / Citation: Employer can terminate the contract if the worker fails to perform his essential obligations arising from the work contract, or to obey legitimate orders, or if, in spite of written warnings, he deliberately fails to observe the instructions related to the safety of work and workers as may be posted by the employer in a prominent place.
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part V, Chapter Three, Article 80, Section 2)
Summary / Citation: Without prejudice to all of his statutory rights, a worker may leave his job without notice "if there exists in the workplace a serious hazard threatening the safety or health of the worker, provided that the employer is aware thereof but fails to take measures indicating its removal."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part V, Chapter Three, Article 81, Section 6)
Summary / Citation: Only when a temporary or permanent disability has arisen from a work injury workers shall be entitled to a financial aid.
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Chapter 3, Articles 137-138)
• General Environmental Law and Rules for Implementation 28 Rajab 1422 H (15 October 2001)
Summary / Citation: "Persons in-charge of the production, transportation, storage, recycling, treatment and final disposal of poisonous, hazardous or radioactive materials must comply with the procedures and controls set forth in the Rules for Implementation."
• General Environmental Law and Rules for Implementation 28 Rajab 1422 H (15 October 2001) (Article 14)
Summary / Citation: "Limit noise pollution, particularly when operating machinery or other equipment or using horns or loudspeakers. Noise levels shall not exceed allowable environmental standard limits set forth in the Rules for Implementation."
• General Environmental Law and Rules for Implementation 28 Rajab 1422 H (15 October 2001) (Article 13, Paragraph B)
Summary / Citation: "The employer shall treat his workers with due respect and refrain from any action or utterances that may infringe upon their dignity and religion."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part V, Chapter 2, Article 61, Paragraph 1)
Summary / Citation: The term “hazardous substance” shall mean any material or a mixture of substances that constitutes a hazard on account of its chemical, physical or toxic properties either alone or in combination with other substances. The minister shall issue the regulations and decisions embodying the necessary arrangements at firm level for protection against major hazards.
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part VIII, Chapter 2, Article 128, Paragraph 2; Part VIII, Chapter 2, Article 131)
• Ministerial Decree No. 435 of 1983 to establish industries in which workers are exposed to poison by lead and procedures taken by employers to protect workers.
Summary / Citation: An employer shall take the necessary precautions to protect the workers against hazards, occupational diseases, the machinery in use, and shall ensure work safety.
Summary / Citation: "A female worker shall be entitled to a maternity leave for the four weeks immediately preceding the expected date of delivery and the subsequent six weeks. The probable date of delivery shall be determined by the physician of the firm or pursuant to a medical report certified by a health authority. A woman may not work during the six week immediately following delivery.""An employer shall provide medical care for female workers during pregnancy and delivery."
Remarks / comments: It is also mentioned that: "It is prohibited to employ women in hazardous jobs or industries. The Minister pursuant to a decision by him shall determine the professions and jobs that are deemed detrimental to health and are likely to expose women to specific risks; in which cases, women’s employment shall be prohibited or restricted under certain terms."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part 9, Article 149, Art 151, 153)
Summary / Citation: "When a female worker returns to work following a maternity leave, she shall be entitled in addition to the rest periods granted to all workers, to a rest period or periods not exceeding in aggregate one hour a day for nursing her enfant. Such period or periods shall be calculated as part of the actual working hours and shall not entail any reduction in wages."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part 9, Article 154)
Summary / Citation: "It is prohibited to employ women in hazardous jobs or industries. The Minister pursuant to a decision by him shall determine the professions and jobs that are deemed detrimental to health and are likely to expose women to specific risks; in which cases, women’s employment shall be prohibited or restricted under certain terms.""Women may not work during a period of night the duration of which is not less than eleven consecutive hours, except in cases determined pursuant to a decision by the Minister".
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part 9, Article 149, Article 150)
Related CEACR Comments• Underground Work (Women) Convention, 1935 (No. 45) Direct Request 2005
Summary / Citation: "Minors may not be employed in hazardous jobs or harmful industries or in occupations or jobs that may endanger their health, safety or morals due to the nature or conditions of the same. A Minister’s decision shall specify such jobs, industries and occupations.""Any person under the age of fifteen years may not be employed or allowed to enter places of work...""Minors may not work during a period of night the duration of which is not less than twelve consecutive hours, except in cases determined pursuant to a decision by the Minister."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part 10, Articles 161-163)
Related CEACR Comments• Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) Observation 2020• Minimum Age Convention, 1973 (No. 138) Direct Request 2020• Night Work of Young Persons (Industry) Convention (Revised), 1948 (No. 90) Observation 2007• Night Work of Young Persons (Industry) Convention (Revised), 1948 (No. 90) Direct Request 2012
Summary / Citation: "The employer, or his representative, must notify the General Organisation for Occupational Insurance (GOSI) Field Office of the employment injury for which first-aid is insufficient, within three days after he is informed of the injury or takes note of its occurrence."
Remarks / comments: "The disease established to be caused by work shall be considered as employment injury, and so does the occupational disease duly determined in accordance with the principles set forth in the next paragraph, and the date of the first medical diagnosis of the disease shall be regarded as the date on which the injury is sustained."
• General Organisation for Occupational Insurance (GOSI): Definition of occupational injury /Reporting an injury (Chapter 1)
Related CEACR Comments• Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Observation 2019• Labour Inspection Convention, 1947 (No. 81) Direct Request 2019
Summary / Citation: Work inspection shall be undertaken by competent inspectors to be named pursuant to a decision by the Minister. They shall have the powers and authorities provided for in this Law.The labour inspection apparatus shall consist of a central section at the Labour Affairs Agency and sub-sections at the Labour Offices existing in the areas.
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part XIII, Article 194)
• Rules of Implementation for the Control and Regulation of Labor Inspection Activities [1970] (Chapter 1, Article 2)
Summary / Citation: "Work inspectors shall have the right to access any firm that is subject to the provisions of the Labour Law at any time, day or night, without prior notice."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part XIII, Article 198, Section 1)
Summary / Citation: Work inspectors shall have the right:To perform any examination or investigation required to ascertain proper implementation of the Law. They may in particular:a) Question the employer, his representative or the workers in private or in the presence of witnesses about any matter relating to the implementation of the provisions of the law.b) Review all books, records and other documents required to be kept pursuant to the provisions of this Law and related decisions, and obtain any copies or extracts therefrom.c) Take sample(s) of the materials used of handled in the industrial an other operations subject to inspection and believed to have a harmful effect on the health or safety of workers, for the purpose of analyzing such samples in government laboratories to determine the extent of such effect, and duly notify the employer of his representative of the same.
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part XIII, Article 198, Section 2)
Summary / Citation: "Work inspectors shall have the following powers furnishing employers and workers with technical information and guidelines that enable them to follow the best means for implementing the provisions of the Law."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part XIII, Article 196(c))
Summary / Citation: Work inspectors shall have the following power: recording violations of the provisions of the Labour Law and its implementing decisions.
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (PartXIII, Article 196)
Summary / Citation: "Reporting to the competent authorities the shortcomings which the existing provisions fail to remedy and providing relevant suggestions."
Summary / Citation: Any person who violates the provisions of Chapter one and two of Part VIII of this law (occupational safety and health) and the rules issued in accordance with the provisions of article 121 of this Law, shall be subject to a fine of not less than three thousand riyals (approx. 799.935 USD) and not more than ten thousand (approx. 2,666.45 USD) riyals for each violation or closing down the firm for not more than thirty days or permanently. The fine and the closing down may be combined along with the elimination of the source of the hazard."
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) ( Part XV, Article 236)
• Labour Law (Royal Decree No. M/51) (Part XV, Article 236)
