1.6.

Summary

Yes No Applied?
- identification and determination of occupational hazards ? x x
- prohibition, limitation or other means of reducing exposure? x x
- assessment of risks ? x x
- prohibition or limitation of the use of hazardous processes, x x
machinery, substances etc.?
- specification of occupational exposure limits ? x x
-surveillance and monitoring of the working environment ? x x
- notification of hazardous work and related authorization and x x
licensing requirements ?
- classification and labeling of hazardous substances? x x
- provision of data sheets ? x x
- provision of personal protective equipment ? x x
- safe methods for handling and disposal of hazardous waste ? x x
- working time arrangements ? x x
- adaptation of work installations, machinery, equipment and x sometimes
processes to the capacities of workers (ergonomic factors)?
- design, construction, layout, maintenance of work places and x x
installations ?
- provision of adequate welfare facilities ? x sometimes

5
2.2. Summary

2.2.1. Degree of compliance with ILO OSH Conventions

Convention No: Ratified Provisions Provisions Intention to

incorporated used as ratify in near
in national guidance future
law
155 on Occupational safety and health, No
1981
161 on Occupational health services, 1985 No
81 on Labour inspections, 1947 Yes, 1962
129 on labour inspection (Agriculture) 1969 Yes, 1975
115 on Radiation protection, 1960 No
119 on Guarding of machinery, 1963 No
127 on Maximum weight, 1967 Yes, 1975
136 on Benzene, 1971 Yes, 1975
139 on Occupational cancer, 1974 No
148 on Working environment (Air No
pollution, noise and vibration), 1977
162 on Asbestos, 1986 No
167 on Safety and health in construction, No
1988
170 on Chemicals, 1990 No
174 on Prevention of major industrial No
accidents, 1993
2.2.2. Degree of compliance with EU Directives

EU Directives Requirements Partially Requirements Intention to

(and their individual amendments) transposed transposed used as transpose in
entirely guidance near future
89/391/EEC "Framework Directive" L 319/2006
on OSH
89/654/EEC on minimum safety and GD 971/2006
health requirements for the workplace
89/655/EEC on use of work GD 1146/2006
equipment
89/656/EEC on use of personal GD 1048/2006
protective equipment
90/270/EEC on work with display GD 1028/2006
screen equipment
90/269/EEC on manual handling GD 1051/2006
90/394/EEC on carcinogens GD 1093/2006
2000/54/EEC on biological agents GD 1092/2006
92/58/EEC on safety signs GD 971/2006
92/85/EEC on pregnant workers GO 96/2003
92/91/EEC on mineral-extracting GD 1050/2006
industries (drilling)
92/104/EEC on mineral extracting GD 1049/2006
industries
93/103/EEC on fishing vessels GD 1135/2006
98/24/EC on chemical agents GD 1218/2006
92/57/EEC on temporary or mobile GD 300/2006
construction sites
2002/44/EC on physical agents - GD1876/2005
vibration
2003/10/EC on physical agents - noise HG 493/2006
91/383/EEC on temporary workers yes
94/33/EC on young people Order no.
753/2006

99/92/EC on explosive atmospheres GD 1058/2006

83/477/EEC on asbestos GD1875/2005
2000/39/EC on indicative occupational yes
exposure limits
2006/25/EC on the exposure of Order no.
workers to risks arising from physical 706/2006
agents (artificial optical radiation)
GD – Government Decision
GO – Government Ordinance
L – Law

7
 STEPS IN THE OSH INSPECTION PROCESS
PLANNING INSPECTION VISIT FOLLOW UP ACTIVITIES
Choice of Preliminary Inspection Completion of Inspection Monitor the Completion of the
the unit to activities performance inspection visit coordination application of inspection process
be inspected requirements
      
the labour the labour the labour inspector the labour inspector the labour the labour inspector the labour inspector
inspector inspector plans contacts the employer concludes the inspector registers the contacts the employer verifies if the
chooses the the inspection in or his/her inspection visit with an inspection documents if the local labour requirements have been
unit to be detail; respresentative. assessment of the as soon as possible; inspectorate does not met before the
checked  Generally, an safety and health at  receive an answer to completion of the
the labour the labour
taking into employer’s work state and the the report; inspection process;
inspector inspector addresses
account the representative shall be necessary activities to  
verifies issues the inspection report the labour inspector the labour inspector
risks, present during the mentain the optimum
on the unit to be to his/her legal writes down the completes the
statistical inspection visit; conditions for the work
inspected in the employer; employer’s answer in inspection process
data, type of  environment. The 
data base; the labour inspector
the labour his/her register. This when he/she considers
industry and  labour inspector
the labour contacts persons applies to a verbal that the requirements
then makes informs the employer inspector describes
having duties in the answer from the have been performed.
clear the aim inspector on the visit results; the findings clearly
labour protection area employer as well as to Generally, the
of the elaborates an  and precisely and
inspection in the unit; generally, the labour inspector
settles clear a check made at a employer shall be
inspection;
they or other workers’ informs the employer further inspection; notified about it.
 strategy; requirements for their
the labour  representatives shall about the content of 
the labour remedy; the labour inspector
inspector be present during the the inspection report or 
the labour makes sure that when
gathers inspector inspection visit; about the possible
the deadline is
information notifies the  continuation of the inspector clearly
from various inspection visit. the labour inspector investigations that specifies in the posponed at employer’s
decides if interpreters request, this is written
sources. Generally, the represented the object inspection report the
are necessary to carry in the register;
employer shall of inspection; legal provisions the
be notified out the inspection requirements are
visit;
beforehand based on with the
about the chapters and articles
inspection visit. involved and the
name of the legal act;

17
 PLANNING INSPECTION VISIT FOLLOW UP ACTIVITIES
Choice of Preliminary Inspection Completion of Inspection Monitor the Completion of the
the unit to activities performance inspection visit coordination application of inspection process
be inspected requirements
   
The inspector the labour inspector the labour inspector the labour the labour inspector
mentiones the starts the visit by decides if the findings inspector demands in evaluates the quality of
names of presenting and need an immediate the inspection report the employer’s written
persons to explaining the aim and interdiction or that the local labour answer. Whenever the
participate in the plan of the inspection, notification of further inspectorate is requirements were not
inspection visit; as well as the interdiction; notified up to a met or were partially
 
the labour estimated duration of the labour inspector certain date about the met, the labour
inspector takes it; decides whether fines measures which are inspector shall notify
 adopted and/or the employer about the
the documents can be applied or the
the labour inspector
planed in order to action in court.
and forms that makes sure that the findings represent
remedy the findings
are necessary in legal name of the infringements and law
and answer the
the course of the employer or the one to must be applied. The
requirements;
inspection visit. be checked is labour inspector

correctly and informs the employer the labour
completely written in about the continuation inspector makes sure
the inspection of the process; the report includes
documents;  the time of the
the labour inspector
 inspection, the name
the labour inspector decides if requirements
shall obey the norms during inspection must of those involved and
their position;
of labour protection be drawn. Such

inforced in the unit requirements must be the labour
and ask for personal in written form; inspector signs the

protective equipment the labour inspector report and registers it
in the work places to settles the deadlines in the local
be inspected; inspectorate archive;
the employer has to
comply with.

18
 PLANNING INSPECTION VISIT FOLLOW UP ACTIVITIES
Choice of Preliminary Inspection Completion of Inspection Monitor the Completion of the
the unit to activities performance inspection visit coordination application of inspection process
be inspected requirements
 
the labour inspector the labour
offers information inspector sends the
materials related to inspection report as
regulation acts on soon as possible and
work environment of has the
the unit; acknowledgement of
 the receipt;
the labour inspector

writes down the the labour
comments and inspector modifies
observations relevant the requirements of
for the completition of the report in written if
the inspection, new data occur that
including the make the initial
disorders that were requirements no
fixed during the longer adequate. The
inspection visit; labour inspector
 informs the employer
the labour inspector
about such
writes down further
modifications in a
information that occur
written form.
after the inspection
visit.

19
3.2.3. Summary:

Summary of labour inspection services

Total number of staff in labour inspection services 3,405

*
Number of inspectors, out of which: 1,599
- employment relations 989
- safety and health at work 568
HQ versus total staff (%) 5.68
OSH versus employment inspections (e.g. 100:0, 50:50, 45:50…) 48:52
Percentage of economically active population covered by labour Not available
inspection services data
Inspectors/1,000 enterprises Not available
data
Inspectors per 1,000 employees 0.34
Inspections/1,000 workers/year 11.88
Visits by one inspector per year Not available
data
Inspectors per computer 0.70
Internet access? yes
Inspectors per office car 7.2
Own car used ? yes
Own care used remunerated ? yes
Inspector salary versus minimum wage (number of time more than 3.3
minimum wage) in accordance with GD no. 1825/2006 (1288 lei/390
lei)
Average inspector salary versus average salary used at substantiating 1.3
the budget of state social insurance on 2007, according to Law no.
487/2006 (1693 lei/1270 lei)**
Inspector salary versus private sector salary (worse, same, better ?) Not available
data
Average age of inspectors 42
Annual report produced for public (yes/no) yes

* Note: The total number of inspectors also includes the head inspectors.

* Note: The web page of the National Institute of Statistics does not include data on the salary of
private sector so the average salary used at substantiating the budget of state social insurance on
2007, according to Law no. 487/2006 was taken into consideration.

20
3.3.2. Summary of key activities

Activity (functions) YES (on YES (on NO

compulsory voluntary
basis) basis)
Workplace surveys, workplace visits, exposure assessment X
Risk assessment and management X
Preventive health examinations (general surveillance) X
Risk-based health surveillance X
Registration of health data, reporting of occupational diseases X
and injuries
Workplace health promotion, health education, councelling X
Rehabilitation X
First aid, accident management X
Curative services X
Education, training, information campaigns X
Quality assurance of occupational health process, audits X
Safety inspections X
Initiatives and advice for management of workplace safety X
and health, safe workplace design
4.4. Summary

4.4.1. Summary of individual employer responsibilities

Does the employer have the responsibility to: Provided for in Generally taken
law? (yes/no) up in practice ?
(yes/no/sometimes)
- establish an OSH policy ? Yes, L 319/2006 sometimes
- implement preventive and protective measures ? Yes, L 319/2006 yes
- provide safe machinery and equipment ? Yes, L 319/2006 yes
- use non-hazardous substances ? Yes, L 319/2006 yes
- assess risks and monitor them ? Yes, L 319/2006 sometimes
- record risks and accidents ? Yes, L 319/2006 yes
- report occupational accidents and diseases to the Yes, L 319/2006 yes
competent authority ?
- ensure health surveillance of workers ? Yes, L 319/2006 yes
- inform workers on hazards and the means of Yes, L 319/2006 yes
protection ?
- consult with worker representatives on OSH ? Yes, L 319/2006 sometimes
- educate and train workers ? Yes, L 319/2006 yes
- establish joint OSH committees ? Yes, L 319/2006 yes
4.4.2. Summary of workers’ rights and duties

Does the worker have the: Provided for in Generally taken

law? (yes/no) up in practice?
(yes/no/sometimes)
- duty to work safely and not endanger others ? Yes, L 319/2006 yes
- right to compensation for hazardous work (e.g. Yes, L 319/2006 yes
hazard pay, reduced working time, earlier retirement,
free foods and drink to combat the effects of exposure
to hazards)?
- right to be kept informed about workplace hazards ? Yes, L 319/2006 yes
- right to be provided with personal protective Yes, L 319/2006 yes
equipment and clothing ?
- right to incur no personal costs for OSH training, Yes, L 319/2006 yes
personal protective equipment etc. ?
-duty to make proper use of personal protective Yes, L 319/2006 yes
equipment?
- right to select worker OSH representatives ? Yes, L 319/2006 yes
- right to remove themselves from danger in case of Yes, L 319/2006 yes
imminent and serious risk to health ?
- duty to report to the supervisor any situation Yes, L 319/2006 yes
presenting a threat to safety ?

4.4.3. Summary of worker OSH representatives’ rights and responsibilities

Do worker representatives have the right to: Provided for in Generally taken
law? (yes/no) up in practice?
(yes/no/sometimes)
- inspect the workplace for potential hazards ? Yes, L 319/2006 yes
- investigate the causes of accidents ? Yes, L 319/2006 yes
- investigate complaints by workers relating to OSH or Yes, L 319/2006 yes
welfare ?
- participate in risk assessments and access to Yes, L 319/2006 yes
information concerning risk assessments ?
- call the authorities responsible for OSH inspections? Yes, L 319/2006 sometimes
- participate in/submit observations to inspectors Yes, L 319/2006 sometimes
during inspection visits to the work site ?
- information given by inspection agencies responsible Yes, L 319/2006 yes
for OSH ?
- access to the list of accidents and diseases and Yes, L 319/2006 yes
reports of these in the enterprise ?
- access to records the employer is obliged to keep ? Yes, L 319/2006 yes
- receive information and consultation by the employer Yes, L 319/2006 yes
in advance concerning measures which may
substantially affect OSH ?
- consultation in advance concerning the designation Yes, L 319/2006 yes
of workers or hiring of external services or persons
with special responsibility for OSH ?

30
 Do worker representatives have the right to: Provided for in Generally taken
law? (yes/no) up in practice?
(yes/no/sometimes)
- submit proposals to the employer with view to Yes, L 319/2006 yes
mitigating risks and/or removing sources of danger ?
- appropriate training during working hours ? Yes, L 319/2006 yes
- facilities and time off with no loss of pay to be able Yes, L 319/2006 yes
to carry out their duties as OSH representatives ?
- attend meetings of the OSH committee ? Yes, L 319/2006 yes
- access to outside experts ? Yes, L 319/2006 sometimes
- stop dangerous work on behalf of workers ? Yes, L 319/2006 yes

5. Regular and ongoing activities related to OSH

5.1. Promotional OSH programs and activities

In recent years there have been several national campaigns to improve the level of prevention and
protection and of awareness among workers in various fields: construction, industry, etc. organized
by the Labour Inspection.

Each year in October the Safety and Health Week is coordinated by the European Agency on Safety
and Health at Work, through its Focal Point in Romania. The themes approached in the last years
were about musculo-skeletal disorders, ocupational risks in construction, noise as occupational risk,
work of the young people.

A theme of interest has been the elimination of hazardous child labour which has been dealt with in
various programs and activities aiming at rising awareness and responsibility of authorities,
employers and parents. Thus, Romania participates actively in the International Programme for the
Elimination of Child Labour.

The World Day of Safety and Health at Work is organized annually on 28 April by the Labour
Inspection with the participation of all social partners.

5.2. International capacity building, technical cooperation activities directly related to OSH

Romania has benefited from various international programmes in the area of heath and safety at
work. Several exemples of such projects in the area developed by the Labour Inspection are
presented below.

In the general context of Romania’s integration into European Union, the Labour Inspection has
benefited from the support of the European Commission to strengthen the administrative capacity in
the safety and health at work area.

Thus, during the years 2001-2002 the institution developed two PHARE projects of institutional
twinning with partners from France and Sweden.

1. PHARE project RO/IB/99/CO/01 – “Strengthen the institutional capacity of labour

inspection” developed in collaboration with the Authority for the Work Environment in Sweden.

31
The aim of such project was to strengthen the institutional capacity of labour inspection in order to
implement the communitary acquis in the safety and health at work area.

The results of the project were:

 Improvement of the Labour Inspection management by training 45 public servants of the top
local and central management in a ten days’ course and by adopting the Policy on management
acting for Labour Inspection.
 Alignment of principles and methods of inspection to the good practices of the Member States in
the European Union by:

- Elaboration of the Manual of inspection methods (printed in 1,000 copies), an instrument of

control at the disposal of labour inspectors.

- Testing the Swedish campaign model as method of inspection by organizing and developing A
pilot awareness campaignon the risks of exposure to wood dusts in the work environment. The
campaign was developed in 20 economic units of 5 counties – Neamt, Brasov, Valcea, Cluj and
Prahova. Thus, 20 labour inspectors were trained, a seminar of analysis for the registered results
was organized and the final report was distributed to the local labour inspectorates as a model of
good practice.

 Elaboration of National Program of Training for Labour Inspectors in the Safety and Health at
Work Area, for the period 2002-2007. The development of this program was supported by the
Center of Professional Training for Labour Inspection – Botosani where there were trained 30
labour inspectors as trainers, who in their turn trained more than 400 labour inspectors within 6
training modules on: communication; physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psycho-
social risks; risk assessment; safety of machinery and systems of machinery.

 Elaboration of a Guide of Good Practices Addressed to the Employer to Reduce the Exposure to
Harmful Chemical Agents at the Work Place (printed in 5,000 copies). The Guide was presented
to the labour inspectors at the training courses and was distributed to the employers by the labour
inspectors.

2. PHARE Project RO/99/IB/OT01, “Design of a protection system for workers exposed to

dangerous agents at the work place” developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and
Solidarity of France.

The objectives of the project were:

- Transposition in the General Norms of Labour Protection of the specific Directives of the
European Union on exposure to asbestos, noise, biological, carcinogen and chemical agents;

- Elaboration of national policy to prevent the occupational risks;

- Development of a pilot center in the health area as reference model for other similar institutions as
for its results.

The results of the project were:

32
 Modification and completion of the General Norms of Labour Protection by transposing several
European Directives on chemical, carcinogenic, biological agents, asbestos and noise.

 Elaboration of the document on the national policy of prevention in the safety and health at work
area by which the directions of action and strategy in the safety and health at work area for the
period 2002-2006 were settled.

 Development of a culture of occupational risk prevention based on:

- Development of a communication system for the performance and dissemination of information

related to the management of occupational risks based on cooperation protocols with the Ministry of
Health and Family, National Institute of Research and Development of Labour Protection, Section
of Occupational Medicine within the University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Carol Davilla”,
“Obiectiv” Magazine, Institute of Mine Safety and Anti-explosive Protection – INSEMEX –
Petrosani.

- Elaboration of Information materials in 178,000 copies (guides, posters, leaflets, booklets)

addressed to employers, employees and labour inspectors to make them aware of the specific risks
envisaged by the directives of the European Union transposed in the General Norms of Labour
Protection.

- Organization of Information sessions in Iasi, Cluj and Bucharest with the participation of more
than 300 people (employers, safety and health at work representatives, occupational medicine
physicians, representatives of the employers’ organizations, trade unions, etc.) to whom the General
Norms of Labour Protection were presented in order to raise their awareness and increase the labour
inspectors ability to disseminate information.

 Development of a Pilot center in the health area within the National Institute of Infectious
Diseases “Matei Bals” where a program for the improvement of work conditions for workers in
the health area had been experimented during 6 months. Starting from the experience
accumulated in the Pilot Center a National Plan of Action was elaborated to improve the work
conditions in the health area (approved by the minister of health and the minister of labour).

 Training of 32 labour inspectors as trainers in the area of risks related to exposure to biological,
chemical, carcinogenic agents, asbestos and noise at the work place.

 Elaboration of training modules that supported the National Training Program of labour
inspectors in the area of safety and health at work during the period 2002-2007.

 Development of the web page of Labour Inspection.

During the period 2006-2007 the Labour Inspection has developed a new PHARE project of
institutional twinning RO/04/IB/SO-01 “Implementation of harmonized legislation in the area of
safety and health at work in small and medium enterprises”.

In order to support the small and medium enterprises in Romania to implement the national
legislation harmonized with the provisions of the European Directives in the safety and health at
work area, the Labour Inspection together with Agency for European Integration and Economic
Development of Austria has developed a project of institutional twinning starting on 1st March
2006 and continuing for a period of 21 months.

33
The general objective of the project is the awareness of employers and employees in the small and
medium enterprises about the importance of implementing the harmonized legislation in the safety
and health at work area that transposes the Directives of European Union.

The project benefits from the support of the Ministry of Labour, Social Solidarity and Family, local
labour inspectorates, National Agency for Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives, Focal
Point of the European Agency for Safety and Helath at Work in Romania and other institutions.

The project envisages national legislation that transposes the European Directives on:

- encourage the improvements in the safety and health of workers at work (D 89/391/CEE)

- chemical agents at the work place (D 98/24/CE)

- biological agents at the work place (D 2000/54/CE)

- noise at the work place (D 2003/10/CE)

- manual handling of loads (D 90/269/CEE)

- vibrations at the work place (D 2002/44/CE)

- temporary and mobile sites (D 92/57/CEE)

- psycho-social risks at the work place (D 89/391/CEE).

The project has two main components:

 Information actions to raise awareness of the employers and employees on the necessity to
comply with and implement the legal provisions in the safety and health at work area
(elaboration, printing and dissemination of informative materials, organization of ten information
sessions, development of 2 TV spots and 2 radio spots, improvement of the web page of Labour
Inspection);

 Actions to strengthen the implementation of the harmonized legislation in the safety and health at
work area in 6 pilot centres of small and medium enterprises, which will become “model centers
of good practice in the area” and thus will be an example for other employers. Furthermore, an
“Assessement guide of occupational risks for small and medium enterprises” will be elaborated,
printed in 150,000 copies and disseminated to employers by labour inspectors. In order to extend
the experience of the 6 pilot centers “A national plan of action” will be elaborated and will be
presented for approval to the Ministry of Labour, Social Solidarity and Family and the National
Agency for Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives and posted on the web page of
Labour Inspection and National Agency for Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives.

5.3. Situational analysis and recommendation

Romania can benefit from the experience of other developed countries in Europe, which are more
experienced in the area of safety and health at work. Thus, the European and international programs
can help a lot in exchanging experience and ideas and implement the European legislation in the

34
area. At present, as member of the European Union, Romania has a better access to European funds
that can be used for further improvements.

6. Occupational safety and health outcomes

6.1. Recording and notification of occupational accidents and diseases

The Law no. 319/2006 stipulates that any event shall be communicated to the employer by the
supervisor of the work place, and the employer has the obligation to notify the event to the local
labour inspectorate and to the insurer. The investigation of work accidents is compulsory and is
performed by the employer whenever the events resulted in temporary work incapacity, by local
labour inspectorates whenever the events resulted in invalidity or death, collective accidents,
dangerous incidents etc., by the Labour Inspection in case of collective accidents generated by special
events, such as exploxions or industrial failures.

As for occupational diseases they are investigated and recorded by the local authorities of public
health. The notification of occupational diseases is compulsory and is made by the physicians of the
local public health authority. The occupational acute intoxication is declared, investigated and
registered both as occupational disease and work accident.

There is a central system of data collection at the level of the Labour Inspection. The data are analysed
for a better definition of priorities and relevant information is disseminated by various means, i.e. an
information bulletin, mass media, website.
6.3. Indicators of working conditions

Indicator Widespread Serious Moderate Minor Not a

serious problem for problem problem problem
problem some workers
Exposure to noise above X
legal limit (please
indicate legal limit)
Exposure to vibration X
Exposure to radiation X
(ionising)
Exposure to high X
temperatures
Exposure to low X
temperatures
Breathing in dangerous X
vapours, fumes, dusts,
infectious materials, etc.
Handling or touching X
dangerous substances or
products
Exposure to asbestos X
Exposure to pesticides X
Inadequate lighting X
Regular exposure to X
solar radiation (e.g. in
construction work)
Painful or tiring X
positions
Lifting or carrying X
heavy loads
Repetitive hand/arm X
movements
Non-adjustable X
workstations (e.g. work
bench, desk, chairs, etc.)
Working at high speed X
Working to tight X
deadlines
Stressful work X
Changing work X
organization
Working time X

6.4. Situational analysis and recommendations

The most favorable conditions for safety and health at work activity are created in big companies
where a safety and health at work committee is set up for more than 50 employees and for more
than 150 employees an internal service of protection and prevention is set up or an external service
is contracted. For a big company which has a considerable financial force the cost-efficiency rate of

37
the implementation measures is higher. For exemple, the recommendations for adopting a new
technology and abandoning the old one that is polluting and non-ergonomic can completely
eliminate the contaminants and risks; on the contrary, conservative approach consists in simply
imposing the wear of personal protective equipment.

A strong financial company can have its own medical service, permanent surveillance of
employees’ health states, as well as plans and procedures of safety and health at work and even a
certified system of integrated management of quality-environment-safety and health at work.

According to present legislation there are three parallel subsystems for collecting data on health at
the work place manage by the Ministry of Public Health, Ministry o Labour, Social Solidarity and
Family and Local Directions of Public Health. The communication between the two involved
ministries is minimal, each of them having exclusiveness of data that result in breaking the
information.

7. Basic information

Romania is a republic in accordance with the Romanian Constitution adopted in 1991 and modified
in 2003. The regulation power is represented by bicameral parliament (Chamber of Deputies and
Senate) and the executive power is represented by the government led by a prime minister
appointed by the president of Romania. The president of Romania is elected by universal vote for a
5 year mandate.
The surface of Romania is 238,391 km² and the population is 21,673,328 (in 2004) inhabitants.
The capital is Bucharest having 1,927,559 inhabitants (in 2004).
Romania is devided into 42 counties (including the city of Bucharest) and the capital into six
sectors.
The official language is Romanian. Other spoken languages are: Hungarian, German, Russian,
Rromani.
Health
Statitic
s
Indicator Value Remarks
Life expectancy (years) at birth 71.32
 Men 67.74
 Women 75.06
Infant mortality per 1,000 live births 13.96
Standardised death rate (SDR), 721.9 Men
cardiovascular diseases, 0-64 747.0 Women
years/100,000
SDR, respiratory diseases, 0-64 80.8 Men
years/100,000 46.2 Women
SDR, cancer, 0-64 years/100,000 244.1 Men
163.8 Women
SDR, external causes of injury and 98.0 Men
poisoning, 0-64 years/100,000 28.0 Women
Total health expenditure (% of GDP)
Physicians per 1,000 population 2.22
Dentists per 1,000 population 0.46
Nurses per 1,000 population 5.61
Conclusions

The last 17 years in Romania meant a period of huge political, economic and social changes. This
transition period involved a lot of modifications, demands, attempts. The adherence process to the
European Union imposed the taking over of the Communitary legislation, which was transposed
almost completely in the safety and health at work area. The OSH policy has been one of the
priorities of the Romanian Government as the basis of progress and development resides in the
economic activity. Such activity is carried out by the active worker who has to be provided with a
safe, healthy and welfare environment.

The elaboration of the National Profile started with a survey which was conducted among all
stakeholders of OSH by sending the Terms of Reference for the National Profile to two Ministries,
several key social partner organizations, employers’ organizations and trade unions. The response
rate was high. Some difficulties were encountered with filling the summaries as some data were not
available.

Economic appraisal and economic aspects of occupational safety and health are considered
important in addition to the substantive aspects of safety and health. There is a positive economic
impact of good working conditions.

In general, the basic safety and health issues are relatively effectively managed and show a positive
trend.

The Ministry of Labour, Social Solidarity and Family has developed a general strategy in the safety
and health at work area which shows a permanent concern for the improvement of safety, health
and wellbeing of workers at work.

The rapid changes in all aspects of life in Romania after 1989 have brought about important and
radical changes in work life such as: fragmentation of enterprises, incontinuity of work contracts
and low coverage of occupational health services among small-scale enterprises and the self-
employed.

Romania is now a member of the European Union; important steps have been made in the area of
legislation as the Communitary aquis in the health and safety at work has been transposed entirely
into the Romanian legislation.