The new Law on Occupational Safety and Health (“Official Gazette of the RS”, No. 35/2023, the “Law”) entered into force in 2023, while the deadline for its full implementation is set for 7 May 2025. By this date, all employers are required to align their operations with the provisions of the Act, as non-compliance may result in monetary penalties of up to one million dinars.
A set of by-laws has been adopted or amended in conjunction with the Law, including the following four rulebooks:
- Rulebook on Preventive Measures for Safe and Healthy Work at Height
- This is a new Rulebook that entered into force on 28 February 2025.
- Its aim is to establish appropriate preventive measures to minimize the risk of occupational injuries or health impairment among employees working at heights—such as on scaffolding, trees, vessels, or vehicles.
- Employer obligations include: providing appropriate equipment to employees, conducting risk assessments, implementing protective measures, establishing emergency procedures, etc.
- Rulebook on the Procedure for Inspection and Testing of Work Equipment, and Inspection and Testing of Electrical and Lightning Protection Installations and Work Environment Conditions
- The amendments to the Rulebook from April 2025 prescribe periodic and preventive inspections to be conducted by a licensed authorized person, who prepares an expert report upon completion.
- Defective equipment or installations must be visibly labelled with a warning: “DEFECTIVE! USE PROHIBITED!”
- The amendments to the Rulebook extended the deadline for employers to comply with its provisions until 1 June 2026.
- Rulebook on the Method and Procedure for Risk Assessment in the Workplace and Work Environment
- Amendments to the Rulebook prescribe that all assessments of working conditions, workplace hazards, harmful exposures, and safety of work equipment must be based on expert reports issued by licensed professionals.
- All occupational risks, hazards, and harmful exposures, along with corresponding prevention and mitigation measures, must be included in the employer’s Risk Assessment Act.
- Employers are required to align their Risk Assessment Acts with the Rulebook by no later than 1 June 2026.
- Rulebook on the Method of Record-Keeping and Retention Periods in the Field of Occupational Safety and Health
- This new Rulebook has been in effect since 28 April 2025.
- Its annexes contain templates for various types of records—such as records of high-risk job positions, occupational injuries, occupational diseases, biological hazards, employees trained for safe work and proper use of personal protective equipment, conducted equipment inspections, etc.
- Depending on the type of record, employers are required to retain documentation for either 6 or 40 years, as prescribed.
For additional information or consultations, the Tasić & Partners team is at your disposal.