Laws and regulations

There are government regulations for safe and healthy working. The exact interpretation of this has been laid down with employers and employees.

The following general regulations are relevant in the Arbowet (Working Conditions Act):

Article 3. Paragraph 1: The employer pursues a policy aimed at good working conditions.
Article 3. Paragraph 2: The employer must prevent risks and, if that is not possible, limit these risks.
Article 5: The employer identifies and evaluates the risks and draws up a plan of action.
Article 8: The employer provides information, instruction and training to employees.
Article 11: The employee is obliged to cooperate in the safe use of the circumstances and to perform work in a safe manner.

Specifically for physical strain, the following articles from the Arbobesluit (Working Conditions Decree)and Arboregeling (Working Conditions Regulations) apply:

Working Conditions Decree Article 5.2: Prevention of hazards
Working Conditions Decree Article 5.4: Ergonomic design of the workplace
Working Conditions Decree Article 5.5: Information on Working Conditions Regulations
Working Conditions Decree Articles 5.9 to 5.12: VDU work
Working Conditions Regulations Articles 5.1 to 5.3: VDU work

The Working Conditions Act does not refer to the concept of 'working from home' but to the broader concept of Location-Independent Work, see the Working Conditions Decree, Section 10, Article 1.43 et seq.

Reference factors Article 3 (2): Lifting measures
Reference factors Article 4 (a) and (b): Workplace design
Reference factors Article 6 (2): Information for workers
Individual risk factors Article 5 and Article 6 (2): Worker hazards