Category: Occupational health and safety

NEWSFLASH: COMPLIANCE WITH OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY REGULATIONS IN EL SALVADOR

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The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (“MINTRAB”), through Minister Rolando Castro, announced that as of October 10 of this year, a massive campaign will begin, which will consist of the deployment nationwide of more than 600 technicians who will inspect all companies and workplaces to strictly and rigorously verify compliance with occupational safety standards.

According to what was communicated by the head of this state portfolio, the main objective of this campaign is to promote a culture of prevention, where the occupational safety of the working class is the top priority.

Therefore, an OHS legal compliance audit process can help to identify non-compliances or improvement processes and to implement an action plan for the inspections to be carried out by the Ministry.

For more information contact [email protected]

New Law lays the foundation to promote Health Tourism in Costa Rica 

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Costa Rica has positioned itself as a leading country in medical tourism, having received more than $437 million a year for this activity. With the recent Law for the Promotion and Development of Health Tourism Services in Costa Rica, the country now has a regulatory basis to enhance the development of such foreign visits.  

The activities that the Law promotes include. 

  • Medical tourism: Which is traveling to use medical healing services, such as diagnostics, treatment, cure, prevention, or rehabilitation. 
  • Wellness tourism: Which aspires to improve and balance the main aspects of life (physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual), includes sports activities, relaxation, spa treatments, food, and alternative medicine. 
  • Health tourism: Including wellness and medical tourism, contributes to physical, mental, or spiritual health thanks to medical and related activities that increase the ability to meet personal needs and function better as individuals in the environment and society. 

Due to the variety of nature tourism and the privileged geographic location of Costa Rica, the country has competitive advantages to stand out in the health tourism industry. However, the Law seeks initiatives to increase its international competitiveness, such as: 

  • Expand the means of access: That enable tourists to seek services through insurance packages, prepaid medicine, business insurance packages, and other outsourced services. 
  • Accreditations of the quality of services: Through internationally recognized certifications within the different sectors of health tourism (doctors/clinics, hotels/lodging, carriers/auxiliaries). 
  • Promote the linkages between the different tourist activities and geographic regions: Through commercial alliances or packages so that the health tourist has access to a complete experience beyond the wellness concerns that brought them to the country:
    • Destination > Main offer > Complementary offer.
      • City > Complex treatments, Clinics of excellence > Gastronomy, Cultural, Museums, Art galleries.
      • Coast > Beauty treatments, relaxation > Wellness, Sun and Beach.
      • Rural > spas > sports and nature.

To achieve these objectives, the Law creates the Inter-Institutional Commission for Health Tourism Services in Costa Rica, comprised of the following officials or whoever they designate as their representatives: 

  • The Minister of Health.
  • The Minister of Foreign Trade (COMEX).
  • The president of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).
  • A representative of the Foreign Trade Promoter (PROCOMER).
  • A representative of the Costa Rican Coalition of Development Initiatives (CINDE).
  • A representative of the Costa Rican Chamber of Health (PROMED).
  • A representative of the College of Physicians of Costa Rica.
  • A representative of Wellness Costa Rica, the Costa Rican Wellness Tourism Association.
  • A representative of the National Chamber of Tourism (CANATUR).

The functions of the commission focus on promoting the optimal conditions for the development of the health tourism industry in Costa Rica, being able to receive in its monthly sessions members of other public or private organizations to try to analyze any proposal or concern that the actors involved may have.  

Presently, the Law has no regulations or specific incentives for health tourism. However, a space already exists that encourages dialogue between the major contributors to this industry, giving rise to the design of various initiatives that leadership can formulate hand in hand with the authorities. 

The functions of the commission focus on promoting the optimal conditions for the development of the health tourism industry in Costa Rica, being able to receive at its monthly sessions members of other public or private organizations to try to analyze any proposal or concern that the participants involved may have. 

Monthly Newsletter: Environmental Challenges 2023

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Regulatory changes, laws and implementation through regulations, and sustainable use, are some of the main environmental challenges for Central America in 2023.

Costa Rica

The year 2023 began with announcements of regulatory changes in environmental matters that pose challenges and opportunities for Costa Rican companies.  First, we find new regulatory initiatives that are seeking to reduce the consumption of single-use plastic, imposing greater duties to producers and marketers of such products, such as ensuring that they have a percentage of recycled material or even being part of the chain of recovery of such products.  

Another important environmental challenge for companies will be the need for greater transparency on the environmental impacts of their products. This trend is being led by the European Union (EU), which already has draft legislation well underway to ensure that agricultural products imported into the EU have not been the result of deforestation. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, better known as the SEC, is working on an ambitious regulatory project to require publicly traded companies to report on their carbon footprint and that of their subsidiaries located in the rest of the world.  

A third challenge is a trend toward increasing protected areas and reducing the areas available for economic activities. The international 30×30 target, which aims to have 30% of the planet’s surface under some biodiversity protection scheme by 2030, means that companies must be more aware of the environmental implications of their economic activities and seek ways to operate in a sustainable manner. 

 

El Salvador

Undoubtedly the entry into force in 2022 of the General Law on Water Resources and its implementation through regulations during the year will pose the main challenge for companies in 2023. This new regulation, unprecedented in our country, is prompting us to look for opportunities to make more conscious use of water resources and a consequent reduction in its consumption. Initiatives such as reuse and rainwater harvesting for industrial use are two options in the face of the new regulation, as is an implementation of a fee for water use for industrial purposes. 

The entry into operation of the Salvadoran Water Association (ASA) and the issuance of new regulations add to the challenge of water resource management, now from the point of view of wastewater generation with the entry into force of the general guidelines for wastewater discharge from the water subsector for industrial, agroindustrial, recreational, and other purposes, establishing the obligation to request wastewater discharge permits from the ASA, continue with the existing obligation to treat all wastewater from all industrial, agroindustrial, recreational, and other activities, as well as to implement operation, maintenance, and maintenance programs for all wastewater from industrial, agroindustrial, recreational, and other activities; and to implement programs for the operation, maintenance, and improvement of treatment facilities. This regulation establishes the obligation to promote the circular economy of water, monitor and prevent activities from endangering or damaging the balance of the water ecosystem, and implement spill risk prevention programs and protocols for emergency situations. 

Nicaragua

Companies face the main challenges of sustaining natural resources, obtaining the expected economic development, and generating jobs. In Nicaragua, the balance of these three elements is advanced through Law 217, General Law on the Environment and Natural Resources, which establishes in Article 3 that the objectives of the Law are:  

1) The prevention, regulation, and control of any causes or activities that originate deterioration of the environment and contamination of ecosystems. 

2) To establish the means, forms, and opportunities for rational exploitation of natural resources within a National Planning based on sustainable development, with equity and social justice within the country’s cultural diversity. 

Our legislation recognizes and executes through the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, the so-called Environmental Evaluation system for authorizations and permits, which provides a classification according to the environmental impact in accordance with the commercial activities of each company operating in the country. In addition to an operating permit, companies must a) maintain the controls and recommendations established for the execution or performance of an activity; b) assume any administrative, civil, or criminal responsibilities for damages they may cause to the environment; and c) observe the provisions established in the special rules and regulations in force. Therefore, green development faces challenges that require an adequate public policy framework, support for entrepreneurs, and the creation and expansion of markets. 

Guatemala

Every human action has an impact on the environment, and so does every corporate action. Awareness of this fact makes a difference in business and society. For 2023 in Guatemala, there are many challenges, of which the most outstanding ones come from the implementation of Governmental Agreement number 137-2016 Regulation of evaluation, control and environmental monitoring and its reforms which determine the obligation to elaborate a predictive, corrective or complementary environmental instrument for all projects, industries, works or activities. Fines for not having an environmental impact study can reach up to Q.100,000.00, about $13,000.00. 

Simultaneously for companies, it is necessary to incorporate within the environmental culture the implementation of Agreement 164-2021 Regulation of the integral management of solid and common waste challenges company cultures to carry out new practices of waste separation that involve an understanding of its importance and constant daily practice. It is a reflective exercise of business self-diagnosis, which allows us to evaluate the amount of waste generated by the business activity. This challenge involves the transformation of our employees’ ways of thinking. The knowledge of the specific national standards is significant since the execution of the waste division has been empirical; now that there is a set standard, it is time to know it and perform it correctly. 

Honduras

For Honduras, the main environmental challenges are the urgency of keeping the country’s main rivers, lakes, and bodies of water clean. Current environmental intervention initiatives for lakes such as Yojoa and the Michatoya River require priority corrective and preventive measures.  

In this sense, the challenges for companies involve the responsibility of wastewater treatment in their businesses. The implementation of wastewater treatment plants is vital to mitigating water contamination. Wastewater treatment plants complement their function with studies of wastewater and contaminants and the reuse of such water to achieve the sustainability of the systems

 

 

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Basic Occupational Health and Safety Rules 

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Occupational Health and Safety has the objective of applying necessary measures for the prevention of risks related to work and plays a very important role in achieving the objective number 3 of sustainable development proposed by the United Nations Organization: Guarantee a healthy life and promote well-being for all.

In practice, it is an extension to the labor field of the duty that every person has to diligently avoid personal accidents and those of their dependents established by the General Health Law. But taking into account the diversity of situations to which people can be exposed in their work activity, there is a wide range of regulations to ensure the protection of people in their jobs.

The application of these rules is mandatory and they are not relaxed through contracts between the parties; However, the obligations in Occupational Health and Safety do not fall solely on the employers, since all workers are also obliged to comply with the legal norms and the internal rules indicated by the company in accordance with what is indicated in article 6 of the General Regulation. Occupational Safety and Hygiene.

Next, we will point out some of the Occupational Health and Safety issues of greatest incidence for companies:

* Work establishments: The work premises must comply with the location and construction conditions required by the health, morals and comfort of the workers.

Likewise, every building with more than one floor must have at least one highly fire-resistant emergency staircase, with railings and handrails.

* Space conditions: It must be ensured that workers have a work area greater than two square meters, and two and a half meters in height. However, the height can be reduced in special cases, but compensated by artificial means of ventilation and lighting.

For their part, the corridors must be wide enough in relation to the number of workers who must circulate through them, even considering cases of emergency evacuation.

* Emergency exits: The regulations do not establish a minimum number of emergency exits, but instead order that they be sufficient and conveniently arranged for a successful evacuation. Thus, in small premises, the emergency exit may be the same conventional entrance and exit, however, they must have visible notices that say “Emergency Exit”.

No emergency exit should be locked or any other mechanism that makes it difficult to open them easily in times of high pressure.

* Ventilation: In closed premises, the air must be renewed according to the number of workers and the nature of the work. Air renewal can be natural or artificial, taking into account the speed of entry, conditions of purity, temperature and humidity, so that it is neither annoying nor harmful to workers.

* Outdoor work: When work must be done in the open or semi-open air, extreme temperatures should be mitigated as much as possible and workers should be protected from adverse situations in general. Adequate equipment must be provided to protect workers from rain and dust.

When outdoor work can subject workers to situations of thermal stress due to heat, a hydration, shade, rest and protection protocol must be designed and executed.

* Lighting: Workplaces must have adequate lighting for safety and performance of duties. Artificial lighting should only be used when natural lighting is not feasible or sufficient.

* Cleaning: The premises must always be kept in normal cleanliness conditions. When the sweeping or cleaning of the floor, walls and ceiling can produce dust, wet cleaning methods have to be applied.

Cleaning should be done outside of working hours, preferably after the end of the day. But if you prefer to do it before the start of the working day, it must be done with enough time in advance so that the place is aired for at least half an hour before starting the working day. When the working day is continuous, it must be done when there is less volume of people in the establishment.

* Fire protection: The facilities must have means of evacuation, machinery, equipment or instruments to prevent and fight fires according to their needs, taking into account the number of workers, the work space and the activity carried out.

 

In addition to the topics mentioned, there are many other situations that can pose risks to everyone in the performance of our work, and which are regulated under an approach that gives priority to risk prevention.

These standards are important primarily to prevent accidents and protect people, but they also contribute to the effectiveness of work functions and prevent events that may have negative repercussions for the performance of work.

Risk Prevention Management Programs in El Salvador

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The General Law on Risk Prevention in the Workplaces of El Salvador is intended to establish responsibilities that guarantee a minimum level of protection of the safety and health of workers against the risks inherent to their activity. This law is in turn the result of the approval of the Convention on Safety and Health of Workers and the Work Environment, known as the ILO Convention 155.

As of April 28, 2012, the Law was mandatory in all private or public workplaces. For this reason, no Autonomous Institution of the public sector can allege the existence of a special or preferential legal regime on this same subject. As of the date indicated, employers have been obliged to guarantee protection in terms of health and safety of workers against occupational hazards. The entity that enforces the law is the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, through the General Directorate of Labor Inspection and the General Directorate of Social Welfare.

One of the essential points of the law is that every employer must have an Occupational Risk Prevention Management Program, guaranteeing the effective participation of workers in its formulation and implementation. Thus, article 8 of the Law in reference, states only in a general way what the content of the Program could be. This situation gives rise to the inspectors of the General Directorate of Labor, when evaluating the implementation, to impose fines for considering that the Management Program is formulated but not properly implemented. By virtue of the foregoing, it is considered important to develop with due precision the required elements of the Management Program established in article 8 of the aforementioned law:

    1. Mechanisms for periodic evaluation of the Occupational Risk Prevention Management Program: this section must define the policy, objectives, goals, evaluation methods such as audits, management indicators, including psychological and social risks in particular.
    2. Identification, evaluation, control and permanent monitoring of occupational risks: this section must include a map of general risks of the company, risk identification sheets for jobs, hygienic study reports, psychological and social risks must be included in particular. .
    3. Updated register of accidents, professional illnesses and dangerous events: within this section, the existence of an accident, dangerous events and professional illnesses record chart will be verified on a monthly basis; notification form submitted to the MTPS, accident investigation meeting, recommendations made to the employer and response to the committee, among others. All data must be sorted by sex.
    4. Design and implementation of your own emergency and evacuation plan: within this section it will be necessary to consider the organization for emergencies, evaluation of internal and external threats, communication and alert mechanisms, response equipment and means, response procedures, training plan for brigade members, scheduling, registration of drills and methods; Evacuation plan; Map or sketch of the company that identifies the routes, emergency exits and safe concentration points.
    5. Theoretical and practical training, in an inductive and permanent way for workers on their skills, techniques and specific risks of their job, as well as the general occupational risks of the company: this section must include an annual training plan, list and theme, evidence of attendance at training, diplomas, photographs.
    6. Establishment of the program of medical examinations and first aid care in the workplace: in order to develop this section, it will be necessary to define which examinations will be required by job, their frequency and evaluation of results.
    7. Establishment of complementary programs on the consumption of alcohol and drugs, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, HIV AIDS, Mental Health and reproductive health: this section requires elements such as inclusive language, awareness of sexual and workplace harassment, as well as methods of raising awareness that can be carried out through talks, articles on billboards, posters, videos, among others, of all of which a documentary or photographic record will be required.
    8. Planning of the activities and meetings of the Occupational Health and Safety Committee: this requirement must contain a work plan for the committee; monthly meetings, training they will receive.
    9. Formulation of a program for the dissemination and promotion of preventive activities in the workplace: the Instructions or prevention signs that are adopted in the company will be placed in visible places for the workers, and must be understandable. This element must be documented with the existence of safe work procedures, verification of delivery of Personal Protective Equipment, billboards; warning, mandatory and danger signage, safety manuals, among others, it is required to include prevention related to psychological and social risks.
    10. Formulation of preventive programs, and awareness about non-violence against women, sexual harassment and other psychological and social risks: these elements can be developed through techniques, surveys, awareness talks, among others.

It is important to implement and develop the Risk Prevention Management Program, not only to comply with a legal requirement, but also to develop a culture of prevention for the benefit of the workers. The Risk Prevention Management Program should be a tool for continuous improvement, and as such it should be evaluated and updated year after year and made available to the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare.

Current status of procedures for obtaining permits to operate a business in Guatemala.

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In Guatemala, for any work, project or industry, a series of permits is necessary to operate, among which we can mention:

  1. Environmental Impact Study, which must be approved by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources as established in the Law for the Protection and Improvement of the Environment.
  2. Sanitary License issued by the Health Centers, attached to the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, as established in the Health Code;
  3. Occupational Health and Safety Plans, approved by the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, as established in the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
  4. Emergency Response Plan approved by the Disaster Reduction Coordinator, as established in Disaster Reduction Standard number two-NRD-2.
  5. Municipal permits that will depend on each municipal jurisdiction establishing the corresponding permit.
  6. Hydrocarbon licenses in general, approved by the Ministry of Energy and Mines, among others.

In the country there is a particular situation related to obtaining permits from the institutions, which consists in the fact that there is no established order or clear information to obtain permits. This creates a problem for companies since there is confusion, misinformation, disorder and government bureaucracy on the subject.

In this sense, the personnel in charge of verifying the obtaining and compliance with the permits to operate of a company are generally assigned a series of additional administrative tasks typical of what the company does and this implies an extra burden of attributions that has as a consequence the carelessness or inattention in the issue of permissions.

As a result of the situation experienced by the employees in charge of the issue of permits, it is recommended that they rely on companies that can advise them, take control and carry out the necessary procedures before public institutions to obtain permits and thus guarantee that companies are in compliance to operate.

For this, ZONE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES puts at your disposal the experience that is available for the processing of these permits before the aforementioned Public Institutions, so that companies can achieve compliance.

Having this service implies a benefit to the companies, because they avoid wear and bureaucracy before the institutions to obtain the permit, the employees can dedicate themselves to the assigned tasks of the company, and they have technical support staff that can solve Doubts or queries about the requirements, process, costs and time to obtain the permit.

Reforms to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations in Guatemala

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The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare issued Government Agreement No. 57-2022 containing reforms to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations. These reforms come into force as of March 4, 2022. Among the reforms implemented, the following stand out:

  1. The powers and functions of the occupational health and safety committee must also be included in the Internal Work Regulations.
  2. Changes in risk prevention obligations for employers, based on the number of employees in a workplace.
  3. Updating of occupational health and safety plans every three (3) years, by the employer.
  4. Establishment of levels of health care in the workplace.
  5. The National Council for Occupational Health and Safety -CONASSO- will issue technical standards complementary to these reforms.

We recommend having specialized advice on the matter to ensure that your company reaches compliance levels and avoids sanctions. You can contact us at the following emails: [email protected] and [email protected] , or by phone 2225-7000.

New resolution before COVID-19 in Costa Rica

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The Government extends the term of concessions and permits for DISCHARGES that expire in 2020, THROUGH RESOLUTION R-0080-MINAE:

  1. The terms granted in those exploitation concessions and discharge permits are extended for one year.
  2. This measure seeks to support the productive sector in the face of the COVID-19 emergency, extending the term of water use concessions and discharge permits that expire in 2020.
  3. The original conditions of the concessions, as well as the discharge permits, must be respected by the administrators.
  4. Resolution R-0080-MINAE (see Here )
  5. List of Beneficiaries (see Here )

The validity of the Sanitary Operating Permits, Qualification Certificates, Licenses and Authorizations is EXTENDED , THROUGH RESOLUTION DM-RM-0748-2020 

  1. The validity of the Sanitary Operating Permits, Qualification Certificates, Licenses and Authorizations of the establishments and people who have them and that are between March 23 and September 30, 2020 is extended until September 30, 2020. .
  2. Requests for the renewal of Sanitary Operating Permits, Qualification Certificates, Licenses and Authorizations that are in the previous situation, must be processed in the respective offices responsible for management, during the month of September 2020, and not before. When they are renewed, the validity will be established from the original expiration date.
  3. New applications and modifications of Sanitary Operating Permits and Qualification Certificates, Licenses and Authorizations, required before September 30, 2020, must be processed by email, as long as there is no virtual system, the mailing list Electronic documents are available on the website of the Ministry of Health at the following link: https://www.ministeriodesalud.go.cr/index.php/tramites-ms/permisos-a-establecimientosms
  4. Requests submitted via email must be digitally signed by the interested party, indicate an email for notifications and provide all the requirements established by the regulations in force for each case.

MINAE grants an extension to fuel suppliers that expire in 2020 (see Here )

  1. An automatic extension is granted to gas stations, transport units, peddler (house-to-house sale).
  2. It is extended for a period of three months and begins to take effect from the expiration date between April and June of this year.
  3. This measure seeks to help service stations, transport units and fuel self-consumption tanks in the face of the national emergency caused by COVID-19.
  4. The Concession may be extended depending on the evolution of the virus in the country. For this, the interested parties must present the application for renewal or updated Central American technical proof.

Regulations issued in Guatemala due to the COVID-19 crisis

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Through Government Decree 05-2020 dated March 5, 2020, the President of the Republic ordered a state of calamity and the immediate implementation of regulations that come from the Ministries of Economy; Labor and Social Welfare; and Public Health and Social Assistance. Said Government Decree has been modified and expanded by Government Decrees 06-2020 and 07-2020.

As a complement, the presidential provisions dated March 16 and 21, 2020 were issued. These were repealed by the presidential provisions dated March 29, 2020, which are currently in force. The set of presidential provisions establish restrictions and prohibitions to various economic sectors, companies and workplaces. Only those considered essential and those authorized by the Ministry of Economy can operate.

Ministry of Economy

As of March 18, 2020, it issued administrative authorization to companies and work centers whose operations are not prohibited by presidential provisions. These authorized companies have, among others, the following obligations:

  • Ensure health services for all its employees, in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.
  • Facilitate health services in the production plant for its employees, in accordance with the Occupational Health and Safety Regulations.

Companies authorized to operate during government restrictions are subject to inspection for compliance with the obligations described above. In case of not complying with it, they will be closed and will not be able to operate in the rest of the time that the restrictions last.

Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance

On March 14, 2020, it issues official communication number 33, indicating that all work activities must be supervised by the employer and adhere to the prevention measures issued by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance.

Also, on March 15, 2020, it issues official communication number 36 in which it establishes that the employer sector must take into consideration that all people over 70 years of age or with serious illnesses must work from their homes, because they are groups high risk of contagion of COVID-19.

Presidential provisions in force

As of March 30, 2020, the presidential provisions dated March 29, 2020 came into force. Regarding occupational health and safety, they literally establish that all the inhabitants of the country, legal entities, companies and private entities must:

“… 1. Apply the measures, protocols and recommendations of health, hygiene and sanitary and occupational safety for the prevention and containment of COVID-19 that is found in the virtual communication platforms and electronic portals of the Government, as well as any provision established by competent authorities, including national and international health regulations.

  1. Follow up and comply with the Plan for the Prevention, containment and response to cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Guatemala , issued by the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance, which is found on the virtual communication platforms and electronic portals of the Government.

All people must comply with the health standard of social distancing, carrying out their activities respecting a distance of at least one meter and fifty centimeters from each other, avoiding unnecessary physical contact …”

Government of Costa Rica issues Guide for business continuity

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The Government of Costa Rica issued the Guide for the prevention, mitigation and business continuity due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the workplace , which establishes a series of guidelines aimed at promoting the continuity of companies as a means of livelihood of society, while ensuring that the reactivation of economic activities does not imply an increase in cases of COVID-19.

According to article 148 of the General Health Law, every person must be diligent in preventing the infestation and contamination of movable and immovable property and the formation of sources of infection. Additionally, article 147 of the same law establishes that every person must comply with the practices aimed at preventing the appearance and spread of communicable diseases. This Guide must be considered precisely as a diligent action to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

The Guide issued by the Government establishes as mandatory a series of actions and preventions that all companies must follow to continue their operations, among them we find:

  • Update your Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan with the pandemic scenario if it is not covered.
  • Be clear about the policy or protocols to be followed in possible emergency scenarios, managers, communication channels and disseminate this to all workers.
  • Keep updated contact and forms of timely communication with the Health Governing Area with jurisdiction in the locality.
  • Immediately notify the Health Governing Area of ​​the confirmation of a COVID-19 case in a worker under their charge.
  • Officialize through an internal communication to your staff the obligation to comply with the general guidelines, as well as the specific ones issued by the company for care, prevention and care in the event of a confirmed case.
  • Prepare and disseminate messages on healthy practices issued by the Ministry of Health and the Costa Rican Social Security Fund, through informative talks, enabling information points, distribution of informative material and reminders such as posters or electronic means
  • Inform by means of a sworn statement to the Governing Area of ​​Health of the locality about the company’s plans in accordance with the general guidelines.
  • Carry out a series of preparatory measures that are included in section 3.12 of the Guide and submit to the Occupational Health Council a sworn statement indicating compliance and the application of the Decision Tool for Operational Continuity . The Decision Tool and the model of the affidavit are included in the Guide and must be presented virtually, however, the web portal has not yet been enabled.
  • If one of the company’s collaborators is diagnosed as a positive case of COVID-19, the measures described in the section “Rehabilitation actions in case of a positive for Covid-19” of the Guide must be carried out and their compliance must be reported. through a sworn statement addressed to the local Health Governing Area .

 

Although the Guide does not mention any specific sanction for non-compliance with its guidelines, its compliance would certainly reduce the risks of all members of the organization, while promoting its continuity.

With these requirements, the authorities seek to guide the 113,000 companies that make up the Costa Rican business park towards a culture of prevention in their work centers that allows the necessary reactivation of the productive sector, minimizing to the maximum the risk of spreading the virus, both from preventive and immediate response point of view. Turning the business sector into a key piece for the economic and health recovery of the country.