According to the World Health Organization, Occupational Health and Safety management is a multidisciplinary activity that promotes the protection of workers’ health and their physical, mental, and social well-being. Costa Rica has distinguished itself through its achievements in Occupational Health and Social Security, progressively ensuring better working conditions for its workforce. To achieve continuous improvement, every employer must adopt the measures necessary to ensure workplace health and safety. The State, in turn, is responsible for establishing minimum Occupational Health and Safety standards and monitoring and enforcing compliance. Costa Rica’s Occupational Health and Safety legislation is extensive, ranging from general provisions contained in the Political Constitution and the Labor Code to regulations addressing specific situations through decrees and guidelines issued and regularly updated by the Ministry of Health. To enforce the applicable Occupational Health legislation, the Occupational Health Council was established as a technical body attached to the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. Its functions include:
- Promoting optimal Occupational Health conditions in all workplaces throughout the country.
- Conducting studies and research within its area of expertise.
- Promoting the regulations necessary to ensure optimal Occupational Health conditions in every workplace.
- Using all available means to promote the education of technical professionals specializing in the various fields of Occupational Health and to train employers and workers in Occupational Health matters.
- Disseminating all ILO conventions, laws, decrees, regulations, directives, technical and legal criteria, technical standards, guides, manuals, workplace risk-prevention methods, and technical workplace risk-prevention systems.
- Preparing manuals, catalogs, and lists of safety devices and personal protective equipment for workers engaged in different activities.
- Preparing draft legislation and regulations within its area of expertise and issuing essential opinions regarding proposed legislation related to Occupational Health.
- Proposing to the Executive Branch a list of workers’ personal protective equipment and supplies that may be imported into the country exempt from taxes, fees, and surcharges.
- Conducting or coordinating national or local Occupational Health campaigns, either independently or in collaboration with public or private entities, and carrying out statistical and economic studies related to its area of expertise.
Depending on the number of workers, companies must register an Occupational Health Committee and establish an Occupational Health Office. These entities assist in preventing occupational risks by developing and implementing Occupational Health programs, safety plans, and preventive medicine plans. Workplaces that permanently employ ten or more workers must register an Occupational Health Committee composed of an equal number of employer and worker representatives. Its purpose is to investigate the causes of occupational risks, recommend preventive measures, monitor compliance with Occupational Health provisions, promote training for employers and workers, establish emergency and fire-response brigades, and coordinate equipment purchases. An Occupational Health Office must be established when a company permanently employs more than fifty workers. Its functions include:
- Managing the Occupational Health of individuals in the workplace through a preventive approach and the comprehensive management of hygiene, safety, psychological, emerging, and reemerging risks, according to the nature of each company.
- Addressing risk factors inherent to the work activity by conducting an assessment and developing an intervention strategy.
- Maintaining statistical records of occupational accidents and illnesses.
- Submitting a report on accident or illness cases to the Council.
- Conducting Occupational Health prevention and promotion activities through worker training and awareness programs.
In 2015, Costa Rica’s National Occupational Health Policy was enacted through Executive Decree No. 39321-MTSS. This policy defines the national guidelines governing State action in Occupational Health and Safety matters. Its objectives are to establish general guidelines for improving working conditions and the work environment; foster a culture of prevention and workplace harmony that promotes a healthy lifestyle and quality of life for workers; consolidate the National Occupational Health System; review and update the applicable regulatory framework; and develop strategies to promote health, prevention, protection, workplace adaptation, and healthy workplaces.