Which organizations need occupational safety in Uzbekistan?

Occupational safety is necessary not only for factories, construction companies and enterprises with hazardous production. In Uzbekistan, responsibilities for ensuring safe working conditions are much broader. If an organization hires employees, occupational safety issues become part of the employer’s responsibility.

The legislation stipulates that occupational health and safety requirements must be observed by organizations regardless of their form of ownership. At the same time, the current rules also apply to individual entrepreneurs and individuals who act as employers. This means that the absence of production or sophisticated equipment does not in itself exempt an employer from meeting labor protection requirements.

For example, occupational safety is necessary for office companies, trade organizations, service enterprises, medical institutions, educational organizations, cafes and restaurants, construction and manufacturing companies. The difference is not whether labor protection is needed, but what requirements must be met, taking into account the nature of the work and the existing risks.

The employer is obliged to create safe working conditions at workplaces, inform employees about conditions and risks, organize training and briefings, monitor compliance with safety requirements and fulfill other duties stipulated by law.

The required documents and activities will vary for different types of activities. In the office, the main focus is on the organization of safe workplaces, briefings, training and documentation. In construction, manufacturing, energy, and other high-risk areas, the requirements are much broader and may include special instructions, the use of personal protective equipment, medical examinations, equipment control, and additional safety measures. Resolution No. 819 separately provides for the development of instructions for certain professions and types of work, including work at height, installation, repair and other work.

A separate issue is the organization of the work of occupational safety specialists. The employer must ensure that the relevant functions are performed within the organization. Depending on the structure and specifics of the enterprise, this may be a separate service, specialist, or other legally prescribed solution. Therefore, it is important for the head not only to appoint a responsible person by order, but to ensure the actual fulfillment of labor protection duties.

Companies that hire new employees, expand their staff, open production or retail facilities, use equipment, or perform high-risk work should be particularly attentive to this issue. When working conditions change, documents and occupational safety measures must also be updated.

Thus, labor protection is not an additional formality only for large enterprises. For any employer in Uzbekistan, it is necessary to organize a work system taking into account the nature of the activity, the number of employees and the existing professional risks. Properly organized labor protection helps not only to comply with legal requirements, but also to reduce the likelihood of accidents and other business risks.

If the company does not have its own occupational safety specialist, some of the relevant tasks can be transferred to a professional organization on a contractual basis. The current legislation explicitly provides for the existence of professional participants in the labor protection services market who provide such services to legal entities under a contract.