Here is the ergonomics legislation from
Switzerland
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
Switzerland does not have a single “ergonomics act,” but ergonomics regulation is integrated into its Health Protection Ordinance : Swiss Ordinance 3 (OLT 3).
Page last updated: 11/05/2026
The Duties of
The Employer
-
Art. 5: Information and Education of Workers Transparent Risk Communication
Employers must ensure that every person in the workplace including those from third-party partners is fully aware of any physical or psychological risks tied to their tasks and the specific measures in place to protect them. -
Art. 5: Information and Education of Workers
Timely and Adaptive Guidance
This essential instruction must be provided when a worker first joins the team and updated whenever there is a significant shift in working conditions, with regular refreshers as needed. Active Safety Supervision -
Art. 5: Information and Education of Workers
Active Safety Supervision
The responsibility extends beyond just providing information; the employer must actively ensure that health protection measures are being followed consistently across the board. -
Art. 5: Information and Education of Workers
Respect for Working Hours
All training and safety briefings must take place during regular working hours, ensuring that these requirements never come at a financial or personal time cost to the employees. -
Art. 23: General Requirements
Ergonomic Design
Employers must design and arrange all workstations and equipment according to ergonomic principles. -
Art. 23: General Requirements
Appropriate Usage
Employers, in collaboration with workers, are responsible for ensuring that all equipment is used correctly and appropriately. -
Art. 24: Special Requirements
Freedom of Movement
Employers must provide sufficient free space around workstations to allow workers to move unhindered during their activities. -
Art. 24: Special Requirements
Postural Flexibility
Workspaces must allow for sitting or alternating between sitting and standing; those who work standing up must be provided with seats for occasional use. -
Art. 24: Special Requirements
Natural Posture and Seating
Permanent workstations must be designed for a natural body position, including comfortable seating tailored to the work, with armrests and footrests provided if necessary. -
Art. 24: Special Requirements
Environmental Safety
Workstations must be shielded from the negative health effects of nearby machinery or storage through protective walls or separate rooms. -
Art. 24: Special Requirements
Access to Outside Views
Permanent workstations must offer a view of the outside world; if windows are unavailable, special measures must be taken to protect the workers' overall health.
The Duties of
The Employer
🏠 for Remote Work
-
Art. 7: Protection Against Overuse
1) The employer may not give or have work delivered to their home on Sundays or public holidays. On other days, he may only give it away and have it delivered to him during the hours set by the Federal Council. The cantons may grant exemptions if special conditions require it.
2) The employer must take into account the personal production capacity of the homeworker. In particular, it must set the time limit for the delivery of the work in such a way that the homeworker does not have to work more than eight hours a day or on Sundays. -
Art. 8 Protection of Life and Health
1) The work implements and materials provided by the employer to the homeworker must be designed in such a way that, if properly handled, they cannot cause any accident or injury to health.
2) Homeworkers are required to comply with the instructions given to them by the employer in order to prevent accidents and damage to health. In particular, they must make proper use of the safety devices on work instruments and may not remove or modify them without the employer's permission.
The Duties of
The Employee
-
Art. 10: Obligations of Workers
1) The worker is obliged to follow the employer's health protection guidelines and to observe the generally accepted rules. In particular, he must use personal protective equipment and refrain from compromising the effectiveness of the means of protection.
2) If a worker finds defects that compromise health protection, they must be eliminated immediately. If the employer is unable or not authorized to do so, the employer must notify the employer without delay.
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.
