Occupational Safety and Health Manager as a Service

The general objective of occupational safety and health (OSH) legislation in Finland is to maintain and promote employees’ health, safety, and work ability, as well as to prevent occupational accidents and work-related diseases. These obligations are governed by national legislation on occupational safety, occupational health services, and workplace cooperation. 

Under Finnish law, the employer is required to appoint an Occupational Safety and Health Manager (OSH Manager), unless the employer personally assumes this role. The OSH Manager acts as the employer’s representative in occupational safety matters and is responsible for organising and coordinating OSH cooperation at the workplace in a structured and compliant manner. 

The OSH Manager plays a central role in developing working conditions, ensuring that safety-related procedures are implemented in practice, and supporting both management and employees in OSH-related matters. In addition, the OSH Manager serves as the main point of contact with occupational safety authorities and is responsible for internal communication related to health and safety issues. 

The role of the OSH Manager should not be confused with that of the Occupational Safety Representative, who represents employees in OSH matters. In workplaces that regularly employ at least ten employees, the Occupational Safety Representative must be elected by the employees.