Kurdistan Region Ministry of Labor Issues New Occupational Health and Safety Guidelines

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) - The Kurdistan Region Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs published Occupational Health and Safety Directive No. 11 of 2023 on Wednesday, a 12-article framework designed to protect workers' lives and ensure health requirements are met across all worksites in the Region.

Under the directive, the Labor Inspection Committee is responsible for conducting detailed follow-up visits to projects through field inspections. If an employer fails to comply with safety requirements, the Minister of Labor has the authority to order the closure of the worksite or the suspension of equipment until the issue is resolved.

The directive defines the duties and rights of both workers and employers according to the size of the facility and the number of employees. Environmental assessment of the workplace is required to ensure no health risks are created for workers.

On the obligations of workers, the directive requires full compliance with the use of personal protective equipment during working hours, including helmets, gloves, safety shoes, goggles, and masks. Workers are also responsible for learning how to use protective equipment properly, notifying supervisors of any deficiencies, and reporting hazards at the worksite.

Employers, in turn, are required to provide safety equipment for all workers, organize training and awareness sessions on workplace hazards, and conduct continuous environmental assessments of the work environment to ensure the absence of environmental risks.

Any violation of these guidelines will result in legal accountability by the General Directorate of Labor and Social Security, the directive confirmed.