Here is the ergonomics legislation from
Costa Rica
The information here was collated from official online sources by Ergo Global ergonomists. All information is for general purposes and cannot be considered 1-to-1 legal advice. Ergo Global disclaim any liability relating to the information provided on this page.
To Note
Costa Rica does not have a single “ergonomics act,” but ergonomics regulation is integrated into its Executive Decree No. 45166-MTSS.
Page last updated: 06/07/2026
The Duties of
The Employer
-
Consideration I
In accordance with Article 66 of the Political Constitution, the employer must adopt in each workplace the necessary measures for occupational hygiene and safety in order to protect the life, health, and integrity of the worker in the exercise of their work activity. -
Consideration II
The authority of the Occupational Health Council to promote the necessary regulations to guarantee, in every workplace, optimal occupational health conditions is set forth in Article 274(c) of the Labor Code. -
Consideration V
Every employer, whether under public or private law, is obligated to constitute and maintain Occupational Health Commissions and Departments, according to the number of workers in their workplaces, as applicable. -
Article 13
The employer's obligations with respect to the Commission are:
a) Constitute at least one Commission in each workplace with ten or more workers, in accordance with Article 288 of the Labor Code and this regulation.
b) Integrate and support the operation of the Commission, designating its representatives in accordance with the procedures prescribed in this regulation.
c) Grant the necessary time, during working hours and with full pay, for workers to participate in the election of their representatives and for Commission members to carry out their functions, without additional workload for attending sessions.
d) Provide the materials, physical space, and documentation required by the Commission to carry out its functions.
e) Train Commission members, through the person in charge of the Department or a designee, at least once a year in occupational health matters, in accordance with the training guidelines established by the Council.
f) Address workplace condition improvements proposed by the Commission, issuing a remedial action plan within no more than thirty (30) business days from the date of submission of the requests.
g) Deregister the Commission when it no longer meets the legal conditions of Article 288 of the Labor Code.
h) Disseminate information on the measures recommended by the Commission to the workforce and not obstruct its distribution. -
Article 25
The Occupational Health Commission shall have the following functions:
a) Identify occupational risk factors in the workplace.
b) Monitor compliance with legal, regulatory, and other occupational health provisions at the workplace.
c) Investigate the causes of occupational risks and determine prevention measures, with support from the Department where one exists, in accordance with Article 288 of the Labor Code.
d) Promote informational activities on occupational risk prevention.
e) Inform the employer in writing of risk factors present in working conditions for appropriate correction.
f) Promote prevention campaigns and dissemination of occupational health information.
g) Participate in all occupational health training programs.
h) Hold at least one meeting per month and follow up on agreements.
i) Generate the annual report of Commission actions registered in the platform provided by the Executive Directorate of the CSO, in accordance with Article 45 of this regulation.
The Duties of
The Employer
🏠 for Remote Work
- Article 8(c): Inform about compliance with the norms and directives related to occupational health and prevention of occupational risks, according to what is established in the current legal framework for this matter.
- Article 10: With respect to occupational risks, for telework the insurance policies foreseen for in-person work shall apply and it shall be governed by the provisions of Law No. 2, Labor Code, of August 27, 1943. Occupational risks in the telework modality are considered to be accidents and diseases that occur to teleworkers on the occasion of or as a consequence of the telework they perform in a subordinate and remunerated manner, as well as the aggravation or re-aggravation that results as a direct, immediate and undoubted consequence of those accidents and diseases
- Employer Obligations - Employers have obligations to ensure the health and safety of remote workers, provide necessary equipment (unless otherwise agreed), and maintain communication channels. They must also respect the employee's right to privacy and disconnect outside of working hours.
The Duties of
The Employee
-
Article 8
The obligations of workers are:
a) Participate in the election of their representatives to the Commission.
b) Support the operation and development of the functions of the Commission or Department.
c) Report to the Commission or Department any situation that may likely cause harm to workers' health.
d) Participate and collaborate in all occupational health training activities.
e) Respect and comply with the promotion, prevention, protection, and surveillance measures issued by the employer or its designee through the company's or institution's official channels, and those recommended by those responsible for the Commission or Department.
f) Not obstruct the performance of the Commission or Department. -
Article 7(k)
In the event that the activities are carried out from the home, the worker must set up a physical space in accordance with the established occupational health and safety regulations and permit access for inspections of the ergonomic, safety and hygiene conditions of the workstation, with prior notification and consent of the worker.
What's next?
Step 1
Run an ergonomics audit following these regulations.
Step 2
List out the gaps in your ergonomics policy.
Step 4
Contact Ergo Global for more support where needed.
