Working conditions

The Inspectorate SZW is working on a policy of supervision whereby it provides perspective about work, it helps to prevent accidents at work and occupational diseases, it keeps sickness absence as low as possible and it minimises the flow of workers into claiming unemployment benefits. With a view to the aging (working) population, sustainable employability is of crucial importance to the future labour market.
The Inspectorate SZW distinguishes the following areas requiring special attention:

• The health and safety of employees;
• High-risk businesses;
• Working hours and rest breaks for employees.

The health and safety of employees

A workplace that is healthy and safe for employees contributes to a good working climate. Employees who are able to work in healthy and safe conditions are less likely to suffer from stress, become ill or unfit for work and they perform consistently better. This leads to savings for employers in the (high) costs of sickness absence and replacement workers, as well as insurance premiums.
Set out in the Working Conditions Act (Arbeidsomstandighedenwet), the Working Conditions Decree (Arbobesluit) and the Working Conditions Regulations (Arboregeling) are the rights and obligations for employers and employees in the area of health and safety at work.

Further information can be found on the page about ‘Health and safety’.

High-risk businesses (risks involving large quantities of dangerous substances)

There are serious risks involved in the production, processing, storage and handling of large quantities of dangerous substances. Such substances must be treated with the utmost care and safety. In case of major hazards, these can generally provide high risks for people (employees and third parties present within the industrial area as well as people living nearby), the surroundings, the environment, as well as infrastructure.
The fireworks disaster in Enschede in 2000 and the fire at the industrial park in Moerdijk in January 2011 are clear examples.
In the Major Accidents (Risks) Decree 1999 (Besluit risico’s zware ongevallen 1999 or, abbreviated: Brzo 1999) and the regulation Supplementary Risk Inventory and Evaluation (Aanvullende risico-inventarisatie en -evaluatie or, abbreviated: Arie) there are rules set out that are intended to contribute to the minimisation of the possible risks involved.

Further information can be found on the page about 'Major hazard control'.

Working hours and rest breaks for employees

There are rules set out about working hours in order to protect employees from overworking employees. These rules include the maximum number of hours that employees are permitted to work and when they have the right to a break or period of rest. After all, employees need to be able to find a good balance between paid work, free time, social contact and hobbies, as well as care tasks, voluntary work and education.  

Set out in the Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet) are rules governing working hours, working on Sundays, night work, on-call services and attendance duties. There are exceptions and additions to the Working Hours Act set out in the Working Hours Decree (Arbeidstijdenbesluit or, abbreviated: Atb) relating to certain sectors and to special categories of employees or professional groups.

Separate rules apply to young people under the age of 18 years.

The Working Hours (Adjustment) Act (Wet aanpassing arbeidsduur or, abbreviated: Waa) gives employees the right to work longer hours or reduced hours for the purpose of enabling a better combination of paid work and care tasks.

Further information can be found on the page about 'Working hours and rest breaks'.