International Occupational Health and Safety Management in the Context of Economic Crisis
Learn how to manage Occupational Health and Safety (SST) in an international context. Discover the challenges and best practices to protect your workers in different countries, focusing on adaptation to local legislation and culture. Essential for companies undergoing internationalisation.
· 7 minutos · Segurança no Trabalho
The Impact of Economic Crises on OHS Management
Economic crises, such as the one our country faced from 2008 onwards, lead many companies to seek new opportunities in external markets. This internationalisation brings new challenges in the management of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS), both for local staff and for posted or expatriate workers.
Companies, including SMEs, which had never operated outside Portugal before, find themselves needing to explore foreign markets, whether by opening subsidiaries, branches, or participating in tenders and congresses. This movement results in a significant increase in Portuguese workers travelling or relocating to other countries for professional reasons.
These workers may be exposed to risks not foreseen in their companies' usual OHS systems, such as natural hazards, endemic diseases or personal insecurity situations in conflict zones or areas with high crime rates.
Challenges of International Regulation
Managing occupational risk prevention in different countries raises several questions for OHS professionals, generating uncertainty about the guidelines and measures to apply outside the Portuguese regulatory framework. There are no universal regulatory sources or technical references detailing how to proceed in each case.
Some of the most frequently asked questions include:
- Which legislation applies to posted workers: Portuguese, local, or both?
- Are the certificates of fitness from medical examinations carried out in Portugal valid in other countries?
- What about training certificates, are they internationally recognised?
- How is business activity coordinated across different jurisdictions?
It is crucial to understand that occupational risk prevention systems vary significantly from country to country. Even in culturally close nations, such as those in the European Union, the models are not identical. Trying to apply assumptions based on national experience can lead to errors that are difficult to correct. For example, the structure of prevention services, whether in-house or external, is very distinct in various countries, and may be more flexible or even non-existent compared to the Portuguese model, where chain subcontracting is strictly regulated.
Immersion in the Host Country's Health and Safety System
For effective OHS management in an international context, it is fundamental to carry out an immersion into the Health and Safety system of the country where the company will operate. The first step is to know the local legislation, but it is equally important to delve into the actual functioning of the national prevention system. This implies understanding:
- The general healthcare system.
- The insurance model for industrial accidents and occupational diseases.
- The main stakeholders in the field of prevention and their duties.
- The bodies responsible for legislation and enforcement of regulatory compliance.
- The market for prevention services and the qualifications required for OHS technicians.
In addition to collecting applicable standards, it is essential to understand how these standards are applied in practice and how the local market responds to these regulations, including aspects that are not formally regulated.
Strategic Planning of Operations
Following this phase of information gathering and acquiring knowledge about the local context, the next step is to draw up an action programme. It is essential to know in detail the type of operations the company will develop and the particularities in relation to practices in Portugal. Factors such as:
- The geographical location and its climatic and social conditions.
- The political and cultural context of the country.
- Public safety and public health levels.
- The planned use of local workers or the posting of employees from headquarters and their contractual relationship.
All these aspects are crucial for effective planning. The amount of information to be obtained and structured is vast, constituting an additional challenge for OHS professionals.
Portuguese Labour Legislation and Vocational Training
In Portugal, the Código do Trabalho, in its Article 131 of the Portuguese Labour Code, establishes the obligation of continuous vocational training for workers, for a minimum of 40 hours per year. This legal framework aims to ensure that workers adapt to new market demands and maintain their skills.
In the context of internationalisation, OHS training is even more relevant, ensuring that posted or expatriate workers have the necessary knowledge to deal with the specific risks of the destination country, complementing the requirements of the home country and the host country whenever dual legislation applies. The importance of training is transversal and adapts to new scenarios, such as those resulting from the relocation of activities.
Practical Conclusion
The international management of Occupational Health and Safety is a fundamental pillar for the success of companies' internationalisation, especially in periods of economic crisis. Adapting to the legal, cultural and operational context of each country is crucial to protect workers and ensure compliance. Rigorous planning and a deep understanding of local particularities are indispensable to face the challenges and guarantee a safe and healthy working environment anywhere in the world.