Serbia’s Workplace Safety Regulations: Understanding Penalties for Non-Reporting of Injuries

Workplace safety is a crucial aspect of any functioning organization, aiming to protect employees and ensure a secure working environment. In Serbia, the Law on Occupational Safety and Health (ZBZR) outlines strict regulations for reporting workplace injuries. Employers play a pivotal role in promptly notifying the relevant authorities about any incidents. Failure to comply with these regulations can lead to severe penalties. This article delves into the penalties imposed on employers for not reporting workplace injuries as stipulated by the ZBZR.

1. Reporting Obligations Under ZBZR

According to Article 100, paragraph 1 of ZBZR, employers are legally obliged to report workplace injuries to the labor inspection and internal affairs authority. These reporting requirements are further categorized based on the severity of the injuries:

1.1. Fatal, Collective, or Serious Injuries:

• Employers must immediately, but no later than 24 hours from the occurrence, report any fatal, collective, or serious workplace injuries, as well as hazardous occurrences that could jeopardize the safety and health of employees (Article 64, paragraph 1).

1.2. Minor Injuries:

• Employers have a maximum of five working days from the occurrence to report any minor workplace injuries that render the employee unfit for work for more than three days (Article 64, paragraph 2).

1.3. Reporting to Relevant Authorities:

• Employers are required to submit a report on workplace injuries and occupational diseases to the competent health insurance organization and the Labor Inspectorate (Article 65, paragraph 1).

2. Penalties for Non-Reporting of Injuries

Failure to comply with the reporting obligations can lead to significant penalties for employers. As a legal entity, employers may face the following fines:

2.1. For Failure to Report Fatal, Collective, or Serious Injuries:

• A monetary fine ranging from 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 dinars will be imposed on the employer who neglects to report such incidents to the competent authorities (Article 100, paragraph 1, points 30, 31, and 32).

2.2. For Failure to Report Minor Injuries:

• Employers will incur a fine of 400,000 to 500,000 dinars if they fail to report minor workplace injuries to the labor inspection within the specified time frame (Article 100, paragraph 1, point 31).

2.3. For Failure to Provide Reports to Injured Employees:

• Employers who do not provide the required reports on workplace injuries to the affected employees will face a fine ranging from 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 dinars (Article 101, paragraph 1, points 2 and 13).

3. Penalties for Different Types of Employers

The penalties differ based on the type of employer:

3.1. For Employers who are Entrepreneurs:

• For all offenses, entrepreneurs will be fined between 400,000 and 500,000 dinars.

3.2. For Directors or Responsible Individuals within the Company:

• For all offenses, directors or other responsible individuals within the employing company will incur fines from 50,000 to 150,000 dinars.

3.3. For Employers who are Natural Persons:

• For all offenses, employers who are natural persons will be fined between 50,000 and 150,000 dinars.

Conclusion

In light of the above, employers in Serbia must adhere to strict reporting regulations outlined in the Law on Occupational Safety and Health to ensure a safe working environment for employees. Failure to report workplace injuries within the specified time frames can result in significant fines for employers, irrespective of their status. By understanding and complying with these reporting obligations, employers can actively contribute to the overall improvement of workplace safety standards in Serbia.