What to do in the event of an accident at work
You should report the accident to your employer in accordance with the agreed workplace procedures. The report should be made as soon as possible, taking into account the circumstances.
The employer must report the accident at work to his/her insurance company. The employer must report the accident without delay and at the latest within ten working days of receiving the information.
A serious accident at work must be reported immediately to the police and to the Regional State Administrative Agency's occupational safety and health department. An accident at work is serious if the worker is killed or suffers permanent or serious injury. The obligation to report is based on the Act on Occupational Safety and Health Supervision and Co-operation in Occupational Safety and Health at the Workplace. The law obliges the labour inspectorate to investigate all serious accidents at work of which it becomes aware.
When can I take sick leave?
Occupational diseases and work-related illnesses
Work-related illnesses are causally linked to work, i.e. there is a causal factor at work. Occupational diseases are either occupational diseases or work-related diseases, where the illness is work-related but the criteria for an occupational disease are not met.
The definition of an occupational disease is based not only on medical science but also on legislation and contracts. The cause of an occupational disease is a physical, chemical or biological agent related to the work. The most common occupational diseases are noise injuries, respiratory allergies, skin diseases, asbestos diseases and upper limb strain injuries. The list of diseases classified as occupational diseases and their causes can be found in the list of occupational diseases in the Council of State Decree.
Employers must prevent work-related illnesses by identifying hazards and assessing risks, and by planning work and working methods. However, if occupational diseases or other work-related illnesses do occur, the employer must improve working conditions in order to avoid similar illnesses in the future.
Accident and occupational disease insurance scheme
Employers are obliged to take out and pay for insurance against accidents at work and occupational diseases for their employees from an insurance company that provides occupational accident insurance. The employer's obligation to insure is based on the Law on Accidents at Work and Occupational Diseases. The insurance is part of the employee's social security.
Work accident and occupational disease insurance covers the costs and loss of earnings incurred by the employee as a result of an accident at work or an occupational disease. The insurance is valid at the place of work and during journeys between home and work.
The Accident Insurance Centre (TVK) is the umbrella organisation for insurance institutions providing insurance against accidents at work and occupational diseases, which handles claims and pays compensation in cases where the employer has not taken out insurance against accidents at work. Finnish Workers' Compensation Center webpage contains statistics on accidents at work, which can be searched by sector, type of accident, type of injury and the part of the body injured.
Occupational safety and health at work
The aim of occupational safety and health is to ensure safe, healthy, comfortable and stimulating working conditions and to support the working capacity of staff. Personal well-being at work is also influenced by skills and the experience of meaningful work, work-life balance and the functioning of the work community.