Introduction
National strategies are vital policy instruments to enhance the effectiveness of an OSH system by defining the key priorities and actions for improving workers’ health and safety.
In Lithuania, the Ministry of Social Security and Labour[1] implements the state policy in the field of occupational safety and health according to its competence together with the Ministry of Health[2]. The competence of the State Labour Inspectorate under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour includes the prevention of accidents at work, occupational diseases, and safety and health at work, the prevention of violations of legal acts regulating labour, as well as the control of compliance with the Labour Code of the Republic of Lithuania and with the laws and regulatory legal acts regulating occupational safety and health and relations between employers and employees in enterprises, institutions, organisations or other organisational structures, irrespective of their legal form, type and area of operation, also in cases where the employer is a natural person and in cases where self-employed persons are engaged in self-employed activities, provided that they are subject to the requirements of legislation on occupational safety and health (State Labour Inspectorate Law No IX-1768).
Basic Information
The current strategy is: 2022-2027 Action Plan on Safety and Health at Work (approved translation)
DĖL 2022–2027 m. darbuotojų saugos ir sveikatos veiksmų plano patvirtinimo[3]
Former strategies are:
National Action Plan on Health and Safety and Health at Work for 2017–2021 - Nacionalinios darbuotojų saugos ir sveikatos 2017–2021 metų veiksmų planas[4]
Background and the perceived problem
The purpose of the 2022-2027 action plan on health and safety at work (= Action Plan) is to set out in detail the actions to be taken to achieve the goals formulated in the Communication from the Commission of 28 June 2021 to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions “EU Strategic Program on Health and Safety at Work for 2021-2027. Occupational Safety and Health in a Changing World of Work” in Lithuania.
The concepts used in the action plan correspond to the concepts defined in the Law on Safety and Health at Work of the Republic of Lithuania.
The objectives and tasks of the Action Plan: The Action Plan aims to implement the goals of the Communication from the Commission of 28 June 2021 to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, and the Committee of the Regions “EU Strategic Program on Health and Safety at Work for 2021-2027. Occupational Safety and Health in a Changing World of Work” set out in the Annex to the Action Plan.
Rapid industrial automation and robotisation in the EU will have an impact on business and on-demand manufacturing links between different EU member states. To maintain and develop on-demand manufacturing links with key EU member states, Lithuanian manufacturing companies will have to follow their example and join the EU automation and robotics race, so they will have to invest in smart production equipment and (or) processes, research, and development.
Lithuanian society is aging rapidly: children and working-aged people are declining, and the older population is growing. Over the past 10 years, the population over 65 years of age increased by about 4.5 percent and in 2020 they accounted for about 20 percent of the country's population, and there was almost 31 person requiring support per 100 people of working age (15-64 years), i.e., a person of 65 years and older. According to Eurostat forecasts, the number of older people will continue to rise, and the number of people aged 65 and over per 100 people of working age will rise to 41 by 2030.
Main characteristics and objectives of the OSH-strategy (activity plan)
The Action Plan consists of an analysis of the OSH and labour market situation. The first section deals with safety and health at work and the preparation for changes at work such as green, digital and demographic transformations, the legal regulations for safety and health at work, monitoring compliance with OSH requirements, and monitoring and strengthening the mental health of employees.
The second section deals with accidents at work, occupational diseases, and their prevention. Health promotion activities at work, prevention of the use of psychoactive substances at the workplace as well as prevention of tobacco and alcohol use in workplaces, and employee health care.
The third section deals with the health crises and the preparedness to respond to those threats.
The actions of the Action plan, the expected results, a detailed breakdown of the resources and time frame are laid down in the Annex to the Action plan.
Details of the strategy and activity plan (fundamental pilars)
Objective 1: The aim is to anticipate and manage the changes in work brought about by green, digital and demographic change.
Task 1: To review and, if necessary, update the legal framework for occupational safety and health (SHW (OSH)) in the light of green, digital and demographic change
Action 1.1: To prepare a draft amendment to Order No. 85/233 of the Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania and the Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania of 5 May 1998 “On the Approval of the General Regulations for Workplace Installation” when implementing the amendment to Council Directive 89/654/EEC of 30 November 1989 concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the workplace (first individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)
Responsible: MSSL, MH, Deadline: 2025
Action 1.2: To prepare a draft amendment to the Order No. V-65 of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania of 12 February 2004 “On the approval of Lithuanian hygiene standard HN 32:2004 “Work with video terminals. Safety and Health Requirements” when implementing the amendment to Council Directive 90/270/EEC of 29 May 1990 on the minimum safety and health requirements for work with display screen equipment (fifth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 87/391/EEC)
Responsible: MH, Deadline: 2024
Action 1.3.: To prepare a draft amendment to Order No. A1‑184/V‑546 of the Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania and the Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania of 16 July 16 2004 “On Approval of Asbestos Work Regulations” when implementing the amendment to Directive 2009/148/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the protection of employees from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work
Responsible: MSSL, MH, Deadline: 2024
Action 1.4.: To prepare a draft amendment to Order No. V-824/A1-389 of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania and the Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania of 1 September 2011 “On the Approval of the Lithuanian Hygiene Standard HN 23:2011 “Occupational Exposure Limits for Chemical Agents” when implementing the amendment to Council Directive 98/24/EC of 7 April 1998 on the protection of the health and safety of employees from the risks related to chemical agents at work (fourteenth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) (on lead and diisocyanates) and the forthcoming amendment of Directive 2009/148/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the protection of employees from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work
Responsible: MSSL, MH, Deadline: 2024
Action 1.5.: To prepare a draft amendment to Order No. V-824/A1-389 of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania and the Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania of 1 September 2011 “On the Approval of the Lithuanian Hygiene Standard HN 23:2011 “Occupational Exposure Limits for Chemical Agents” when implementing the amendment (concerning cobalt) to Directive 2004/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the protection of employees from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work sixth individual directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)
Responsible: MSSL, MH, Deadline: 2026
Task 2: To increase the efficiency of SHW (OSH) inspections performed by the State Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Lithuania under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour (hereinafter - SLI)
Action 2.1.: To organise training on SHW (OSH) inspectors for SLI inspectors conducting construction site inspections.
Responsible: SLI, Deadline: 2022 -2027
Action 2.2.: To increase the number of workplace inspections conducted by the SLI
Responsible: SLI, Deadline: 2022 -2027
Task 3: To monitor and strengthen the mental health of employees
Action 3.1.: To establish a separate SLI division to prevent psychological violence and assist employees who have experienced psychological violence at work.
Responsible: SLI, Deadline: 2022
Objective 2: The aim is to improve the prevention of accidents at work (AW), occupational diseases, and work-related health problems.
Task 4: To achieve zero deaths at work
Action 4.1.: To organise a study on occupational risk management competencies to assess the training needs and opportunities of SHW (OSH) specialists, SLI inspectors, self-employed persons when implementing the follow-up measure 09-001-02-09-08 (CM) of the Strategic Action Plan of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania for 2022–2024 “To Conduct Studies on Occupational Risk Management Competencies; on motivating employers to implement SHW (OSH) requirements; on SLI Resources” (hereinafter - MSSL PPA measure 09-001-02-09-08 (CM))
Responsible: MSSL, SLI, Deadline: 2022
Action 4.2.: To organise a study on the motivation of employers (incentives and sanctions) to implement SHW (OSH) requirements when implementing the MSSL PPA measure 09-001-02-09-08 (CM)
Responsible: MSSL, SLI, Deadline: 2022
Action 4.3.: To organise a study on SLI resources (adequacy, distribution efficiency, and increase of efficiency) regarding different areas of supervision when implementing the MSSL PPA measure 09-001-02-09-08 (CM)
Responsible: MSSL, SLI, Deadline: 2022
Action 4.4.: To implement the progress measure “Improving the efficiency of occupational risk management in companies and during self-employment” provided for in the Inclusive Labour Market Development Program of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania approved by the Resolution No. 929 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 10 November 2021 “On the Approval of the Inclusive Labour Market Development Program of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania, the manager of the development program for 2021–2030” (hereinafter – the Development program) when implementing the Employment Measure Progress Measure of the Strategic Action Plan of the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania for the respective year 09-001-02-09-03 (PM) (improving the competencies of occupational risk management specialists and SLI inspectors of companies, education of self-employed persons)
Responsible: MSSL, SLI, Deadline: 2023 - 2027
Action 4.5.: To implement the progress measure “Improving the Mechanism Encouraging Employers to Implement SHW (OSH) requirements” provided for in the Development Program when implementing the progress measure of the Employment Enhancement Program of the Strategic Action Plan of the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania 09-001-02-09-04 (PM) (increasing the efficiency of the SHW (OSH) legal framework and the effectiveness of SLI (SHW (OSH) ) supervision activities)
Responsible: MSSL, SLI, Deadline: 2024 - 2027
Action 4.6.: To prepare a draft law amending article 44 of the Law on Safety and Health of Employees of the Republic of Lithuania to simplify the investigation of traffic accidents suffered by employees by establishing that they will be performed by the companies.
Responsible: MSSL, Deadline: 2022
Action 4.7.: To prepare a draft amendment to the Order No. A1‑22/D1-34 of the Minister of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania and the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania of 15 January 2008 “On the Approval of the Regulations for the Installation of Workplaces on Construction Sites” to implement the Law Amending Articles 4, 15 and the Annex to the Law on Safety and Health at Work No. IX-1672 and supplementing it with other relevant requirements according to the application practice of Safety and Health Rules in Construction DT 5-00 approved by Order No. 346 of the Chief State Labour Inspector of the Republic of Lithuania of 22 December 2000 “On the Approval of Safety and Health Rules in Construction”
Responsible: MSSL, ME, SLI, Deadline: 2022
Action 4.8.: To repeal Order No. 346 of the Chief State Labour Inspector of the Republic of Lithuania of 22 December 2000 “On the Approval of Safety and Health Regulations in Construction”.
Responsible: SLI, Deadline: 2022
Action 4.9.: To prepare a draft amendment to Order No. D1-848 of the Minister of Environment of Lithuania of 2 December 2016 “On the Approval of the Technical Regulation for Construction STR 1.06.01:2016 “Construction works. Building construction supervision” to update SHW (OSH) requirements.
Responsible: ME, Deadline: 2022
Action 4.10.: To prepare a draft amendment to Resolution No. 452 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 12 May 2006 “On the Adoption of Rules on the Determination of Intoxication or Stunning of Drivers of Vehicles and Other Persons and Determination of the Permissible Concentration of Ethyl Alcohol at Work” to implement the Law amending Articles 96 and 98 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Lithuania.
Responsible: MSSL, Deadline: 2022
Action 4.11.: To organise an information campaign for employees on the consequences of accidents at work and occupational diseases.
Responsible: SLI, Deadline: 2023 - 2024
Task 5: To promote health at work
Action 5.1.: To develop methodological recommendations for companies on how to design and implement alcohol prevention programs or their measures for the effective prevention of alcohol consumption in workplaces.
Responsible: Drug, Tobacco, and Alcohol Control Department, State Centre for Mental Health, Deadline: 2023
Task 6: To educate, train, and advise employers and employees on occupational risk assessment and prevention measures and other SHW (OSH) issues
Action 6.1.: To participate at the Healthy Workplaces Campaign of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work “Healthy Workplaces Lighten the Load 2020-2022”
Responsible: SLI, Deadline: 2022
Action 6.2. To promote projects run by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work
Responsible: SLI, Deadline: 2022 - 2027
Action 6.3. To participate at the Healthy Workplaces Campaign of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work for the effective management of occupational safety and health in the digital work environment for 2023-2025.
Responsible: SLI, Deadline: 2023 - 2025
Task 7: To improve employee health care
Action 7.1.: To prepare a draft resolution of the government of the Republic of Lithuania “On the Approval of the Description of the Procedure for Mandatory Health Check and Payment of Recruited Persons, Employees and Persons Whose Work was Related to Occupational Risks Due to the Use of Carcinogenic, Mutagenic Substances, Preparations, and Biological Substances” to implement article 21 (5) of the Law on Safety and Health at Work.
Responsible: MH, Deadline: 2022
Action 7.2.: To prepare a draft amendment to Order No. 301 of the Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania of 31 May 2000 “On Preventive Health Checks in Health Care Institutions” to waive the provisions on hazardous work.
Responsible: MH, Deadline: 2022
Action 7.3.: To conduct a scheduled inspection of personal health care institutions in order to assess the quality and availability of mandatory health checks for employees and recruited persons and to take steps to improve the quality and accessibility of these checks in the light of the findings.
Responsible: State Accreditation Service for Health Care Activities under the Ministry of Health, Deadline: 2022
Objective 3: The aim is to improve preparedness for possible future health crises.
Task 8: To strengthen preparedness to respond to potential future health threats
Action 9.1. To prepare a draft amendment to Resolution No. 1198 of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania of 30 November 1994 “On the List of Occupational Diseases and the State Register of Occupational Diseases of the Republic of Lithuania and its provisions”, regarding the updated Recommendation of the European Commission on Occupational Diseases to include COVID-19 (coronavirus infection) in the list until 2022.
Responsible: MSSL, MH, Deadline: 2023
Abbreviations used:
- MSSL PPA: Strategic Action Plan of the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania for 2022–2024
- ME: Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania,
- MH: Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania,
- SLI: State Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Lithuania under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour,
- SHW: Safety and health at work
- AW: Accident at work
- CM: continuous measure
Actors and stakeholders
The Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania monitors the implementation of the Action plan. The responsible executors are specified in the annex, these are:
- State Labour Inspectorate of the Republic of Lithuania under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour (SLI)
- Ministry of Health of the Republic of Lithuania (MH)
- Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Lithuania (ME)
- State Accreditation Service for Health Care Activities under the Ministry of Health
- Drug, Tobacco, and Alcohol Control Department, State Centre for Mental Health
Resources and timeframe
The actions are financed from the general appropriations for the responsible executors approved by the state budget of the Republic of Lithuania for the respective year, EU funds, and other funds received under the procedure established by the legal acts of the Republic of Lithuania.
Timeframe for the implementation period of the Action plan is 2022-2027.
Evaluation/lessons learned
Evaluation: a report about the implementation of the strategy has to be provided to the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania by 30 January every year.
Indicators:
- The expected results are listed in the action plan. Indicators are for example:
- Number of inspections.
- Number of trained SLI inspectors.
- Draft amendments of several orders related to dangerous substances.
- Percentage of persons who acquired or improved their professional risk assessment and supervision competencies after completing their activities.
- Percentage reduction in the number of severe and fatal accidents at work per 100,000 employees due to traffic accidents.
Relationship to EU Strategic Framework
2022-2027 Action Plan on Safety and Health at Work has been developed after the publication of the European Strategic Framework and incorporates all key objectives of the EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work 2021-2027. The action plan in principle follows the EU Strategic Framework. The three key objectives of the EU Strategic Framework are covered by the actions and tasks of the Lithuanian Action Plan on Safety and Health at Work.
