Frequently asked questions about occupational health

Yes, always. TTOS § 12 obliges all employers to arrange occupational health services regardless of the number of employees. In practice this is done by concluding a contract with an occupational health service provider. Even a company with one employee must arrange the service. Failure to comply is punishable: up to EUR 32,000 for a legal person (TTOS § 27-1 to § 27-5 (2)). If you have no contract, conclude one as soon as possible. Providers can be found in the Estonian Health Board register (medre.tehik.ee).

No, never. These are entirely different things. A training benefit is a voluntary employee benefit whose tax exemption is regulated by the Income Tax Act. An occupational health contract is a legal obligation (TTOS § 13) that a training benefit does not replace. Even if all employees go to a gym, the employer must have an occupational health contract.

Yes. Remote work does not exempt the employer from occupational health obligations (TTOS § 13). If a home-office employee uses a computer 5+ hours a day, the display-screen work health examination requirement applies; its frequency is set by the occupational health doctor, but the next examination may not be later than 3 years (TTOS § 13¹ (8)). Add a chapter on remote work to your risk assessment.

All providers with a valid activity licence are listed in the Estonian Health Board register at medre.tehik.ee. In the "Teenused" field select "Töötervishoiuteenused". Always verify the provider has a valid licence before signing a contract. (Source: tooelu.ee)

Not for all, but for many. A health examination is mandatory for employees exposed to health-damaging factors at work: noise, vibration, chemicals, biological agents, high physical load, display-screen work (5+ hours a day), etc. (TTOS § 13¹). Always mandatory for: employees under 18, pregnant employees, and employees in transport, catering and healthcare.

The employer arranges the initial health examination within four months of the employee starting work (TTOS § 13¹ (6)). Night workers and employees exposed to biological agents, carcinogens, mutagens, lead or asbestos dust must undergo the examination before starting work (TTOS § 13¹ (7)). Minors are examined at least once a year.

The frequency is set by the occupational health doctor based on the risk assessment, but the next examination may not be later than 3 years (TTOS § 13¹ (8)). High-risk sectors (chemicals, mining, healthcare, catering): more frequently. Low-risk (office, display-screen work): up to once every 3 years.

The employer covers all costs of the health examination (TTOS § 13). The employee may not pay for it. The employer must also pay the employee's wages for the time of the examination.

Yes. The employer is obliged to assess hazards in the working environment (TTOS § 13). The risk assessment must be submitted to TEIS (the Estonian Work Life Information System). It must be updated at least once every three years or when significant changes occur at the workplace.

Up to EUR 32,000 for a legal person (TTOS § 27-1 to § 27-5 (2)). Up to EUR 1,200 for a natural person. Proceedings usually start with a precept, and repeated violations are followed by a fine.