What Is the European Equivalent of OSHA?
Understanding the EU’s Occupational Safety and Health Framework and Its National Implementation
In the European Union, the main authority and knowledge hub for occupational safety and health (OSH) is the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA).
This agency serves a role comparable to that of OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in the United States but operates across all EU member states. For foreign construction companies entering the European market, it is essential to understand how this EU-wide framework functions and how it is implemented nationally, such as in Finland.
1. EU-OSHA: The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work
EU-OSHA is a decentralized agency of the European Union. Its mission is to make Europe’s workplaces safer, healthier, and more productive, benefiting workers, businesses, and governments alike. The agency’s headquarters are located in Bilbao, Spain.
Rather than enforcing regulations directly, EU-OSHA focuses on gathering, analyzing, and disseminating information to all OSH stakeholders. Its work promotes a strong culture of prevention, helping organizations improve working conditions across Europe.
Tools and Resources for Construction Companies
EU-OSHA provides a variety of tools and information resources, particularly for micro and small enterprises, including:
- Online interactive Risk Assessment (OiRA): A free and easy-to-use tool designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) carry out risk assessments, which is a legal requirement under EU occupational safety legislation.
- Awareness campaigns: The biennial Healthy Workplaces Campaigns raise awareness of priority OSH topics throughout Europe.
- Research and foresight: The agency collects data through surveys such as the European Survey of Enterprises on New and Emerging Risks (ESENER) and the Workers’ Exposure Survey, and it conducts foresight projects to anticipate emerging OSH risks.
2. National Implementation: Finland as an Example
While EU-OSHA provides the overall framework and information, member states are responsible for implementing, regulating, and enforcing OSH standards at the national level.
EU-OSHA collaborates closely with national focal points and governments in each member country.
Finland’s Role and Key Institutions
Finland is an active EU-OSHA member state, and the agency’s objectives are carried out through national institutions and partnerships.
The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) has served as Finland’s EU-OSHA national focal point since January 1, 2020.
FIOH conducts research, provides expert services, and promotes well-being through safe and healthy work environments.
As the national focal point, FIOH:
- Disseminates EU-level OSH research and information to Finnish workplaces.
- Implements the Healthy Workplaces campaigns at the national level.
- Reports on Finnish work-life developments back to EU-OSHA.
Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (MSAH) and Enforcement
FIOH works in close cooperation with Finland’s Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (MSAH), which is responsible for regulation, development, and supervision of occupational safety and health policies.
On a practical level, workplace inspections and enforcement are carried out by the Occupational Safety and Health Divisions of the Regional State Administrative Agencies (AVI).
3. Key Points for Foreign Employers
Any foreign construction company operating in EU member states must comply with both EU-wide regulations and the national legislation of the country in which it operates.
Compliance and Legal Responsibilities
Under EU law, employers are primarily responsible for preventing and managing workplace risks.
In Finland, this responsibility is defined in national legislation under the supervision of the MSAH and enforced by relevant authorities.
Key Finnish authorities that foreign employers may interact with include:
- Regional State Administrative Agency (AVI) – Occupational safety enforcement
- Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK)
- Safety and Chemicals Agency (Tukes)
Risk Management and Tools
Since EU-OSHA places strong emphasis on supporting SMEs, it is highly recommended that companies use its tools and resources:
- The OiRA tool – to conduct EU-compliant risk assessments, a crucial step in construction where new and emerging risks are common.
- Up-to-date risk information – stay informed about EU-OSHA insights on emerging risks, including digitalization, circular economy challenges, and nanomaterials.
Cooperation with Social Partners
When operating in Finland, employers should also be aware of the strong role played by social partners — the representatives of employers and employees — in occupational safety and health policy.
Major Finnish social partners include:
- Confederation of Finnish Industries (EK) – representing employers
- Central Organisation of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK) – representing employees
- Akava and STTK – representing professionals and other unions
These organizations form part of the wider national OSH network coordinated by FIOH as the EU-OSHA focal point.
While EU-OSHA provides the overarching European framework for occupational safety and health, national authorities are responsible for implementing and enforcing the rules.
For construction companies entering the Finnish market, understanding both levels — the EU system and Finland’s national practices — is essential for full compliance, risk management, and successful cooperation with local partners.
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European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA)