Portugal: Health and safety

Original authors: David Carvalho Martins, António Monteiro Fernandes, Nuno Abranches Pinto and Filipa Lopes Galvâo, Littler | Portugal

Updating authors: Tiago Sequeira Mousinho, Rui Rego Soares and Gabriela Plácido, Littler | Portugal

See the legal services provided by the author of International > Portugal, including any discounts/offers for subscribers.

Summary

• Health and safety is regulated by statute. (See General)
• Employers have various duties to keep workplaces safe. They must conduct risk assessments, assign occupational medicine services and carry out preventative measures for occupational accidents and diseases. (See Duties on employers)
• Legislation imposes duties of cooperation and diligence in risk prevention on employees. Employees have a number of rights, such as to be informed of the health and safety risks which they may be exposed to in the workplace and to receive appropriate training. (See Rights and duties of employees)
• Organisations are required to organise competent occupational safety and health services. (See Occupational safety and health services)
• The law allows for the creation, by agreement or collective bargaining, of joint occupational safety and health committees. (See Health and safety committees)
• Oversight of compliance with occupational health and safety standards falls under the competence of the Labour Inspection Authority (ACT). (See Enforcement and penalties)
• Employers must secure insurance coverage for workplace accidents. The employer is responsible for all compensation and costs arising from occupational accidents, as well as for maintaining the injured employee's job position during recovery. (See Compensation for occupational injury or illness)