Here is the ergonomics legislation from
Denmark
The information here was collated from publicly available online sources by Ergo Global ergonomist, Fiona Tan. Some parts may have been edited for clarity or layout.
The Duties of
The Employer
All employers covered under the OSH Act must ensure that workers are protected from recognized hazards that may cause dealth or serious physical harm, which includes ergonomics hazards.
To protect their workers, OSHA recommends that employers implement an ergonomics process with the following elements:
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An assessment must be made of the screen work being carried out, so that the individual's workplace is appropriately designed, and that the screen units used are suitable or adapted for the work, so that the use is in terms of safety and health fully responsible.
This applies both where the employees perform the work at fixed workplaces and where they perform the work at changing workplaces (home).
The employer must ensure that the working conditions are fully sound in terms of safety and health. Special reference made to:
- the performance of the work
- the layout of the workplace
- the technical aids etc. - In order to prevent musculoskeletal problems in connection with screen work, employers must ensure that the screen workplaces are arranged and equipped with furnitures, so that employees can perform the work in a fully safe manner in terms of safety and health.
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The employer must ensure that each individual employee, regardless of the nature and duration of the employment relationship, receives sufficient and appropriate training and instruction in carrying out the work in a safe manner. Information must be provided about the accident and disease hazards that may be associated with their work, including occupational medical examinations to which the employee has access.
Training and instruction must take place in particular in connection with:
- the employment
- transfer or change of work tasks
- the introduction or change of work equipment
- the introduction of new technology - The employer shall provide eye examination to their employees and if computer glasses are needed, it is the employer's duty to ensure that the employee is provided with at least standard frames, glasses or contact lenses at no cost to the employee.
- Employees receive sufficient and appropriate training and instruction in carrying out homework in a fully responsible manner in terms of safety and health. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that the training and instructions are understood by the employee.
- Employers must ensure that the employee's homework is planned and organized in such a way that it can be carried out in a fully responsible manner in terms of safety and health.
- Employers must ensure that the employee has the necessary work equipment , such as a computer, available for home work.
The Duties of
The Employee
- The employees shall participate in the cooperation concerning health and safety.
- The employees shall cooperate to ensure that the working conditions are safe and without risks to health within their field of activity and shall check the effectiveness of measures taken to promote health and safety.
Penalties
(1)Unless a more severe penalty is prescribed by other legislation, a person shall be liable to a fine or imprisonment of up to one year where he:
– violates sections 15, 15a, 16, 17(1) and (2), 18, 19, 20(1), 20a(1), 21(1), 23, 25-34, 37(1) and (6), 38(1), 42(1), 45(1), 48(1), 63(5), 75(4), 76(1) or regulations of the European Community concerning matters covered by this Act
– allows work to be carried out in contravention of Parts 9 and 10, manages or supervises such work, or carries out work in contravention of Part 9
– fails to comply with an order pursuant to sections 77, 77a(1)
– fails to submit information pursuant to section 22(2).
(2) The penalty may be increased to imprisonment for up to two years in cases where a contravention has caused an accident resulting in serious personal injury or death.
(3) When setting penalties under subsection (1), no. 1, it shall, insofar as the employer has discharged his duties pursuant to Part 4 of this Act, be considered aggravating circumstances that employees intentionally, or with gross negligence, contravene the legislative requirements concerning:
– use of personal protective equipment
– use of extraction and ventilation measures
– use of protective equipment or safety measures
– use of safe working methods
– certificates for cranes or fork-lift trucks
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