Risk Observatory —A Tool for Improving Safety and Health at the Workplace

The main problems in occupational health and safety (OHS) system in Estonia (a postcommunist new European Union Member State) are analyzed and the implementation of a simple, flexible risk assessment method is presented. The study aimed to assess the working environment, the employers’ possibilities and willingness to carry out risk assessment, ways to manage risks and the steps being taken towards progressive improvement in OHS. The role of the Estonian Labour Inspectorate in the risk observatory is that of the main key authority in data collection and information dissemination in OHS.