Gov’t Issues New Regulation on Occupational Health

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on 26 December, 2019, signed Government Regulation (PP) Number 88 of 2019 on Occupational Health.

The Regulation aims to provide protection for workers and improve occupational health in an integrated, comprehensive, and sustainable manner.

The Regulation stipulates that the Central Government, regional governments, and communities are responsible for the implementation of Occupational Health in an integrated, comprehensive, and sustainable manner.

Implementation of Occupational Health as referred to in Article 2 Paragraph (2) of the Regulation includes efforts to: a. disease prevention; b. health improvement; c. disease management; and d. health recovery.

“The implementation of Occupational Health must be fulfilled by management or manager of the workplace and employer in all workplaces,” Article 3 of the Regulation reads.

Implementation of Occupational Health, according to the Regulation, must be supported by: a. human resources; b. health care facilities; c. occupational health equipment; and d. recording and reporting.

The human resources consist of health workers and non-health workers. The health workers must have competence in the field of occupational medicine or occupational health obtained through education and/or training.

The Regulation also states that health service facilities can be in the form of a first-level Health Service Facility or an advanced Health Service Facility in accordance with provisions of Law and Regulations, which can be implemented in collaboration with other parties.

The Occupational Health Equipment, according to the Regulation, is the equipment for measurement, inspection, and other equipment including personal protective equipment in accordance with risk/safety factors and Occupational Health at workplace.

“The implementation of Occupational Health can be funded by the State Budget, regional budgets, the public, or other legitimate and non-binding sources in accordance with provisions of Law and Regulations,” Article 15 of the Regulation reads.

The Regulation also stipulates that the Central Government and regional governments provide guidance to the implementation of Occupational Health. The guidance is carried out through: a. advocacy and dissemination; b. technical guidance; and c. community empowerment.

The Regulation states that the Central Government and regional governments may give awards to people, institutions, management or workplace managers, or employers who have contributed in every activity to realize the goals of Occupational Health in accordance with provisions of Law and Regulations.

In addition, the Central Government and regional governments supervise the implementation of Occupational Health to meet Occupational Health standards.

“The supervision may be carried out by workers who have a supervisory function in the field of manpower or workers who have a supervisory function in the health sector, in accordance with provisions of Law and Regulations,” Article 19 Paragraph (3) of the Regulation reads.

“The Government Regulation shall apply as of the date of its promulgation,” Article 21 of the Government Regulation reads. The Regulation was promulgated by Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna H. Laoly on 26 December, 2019. (Pusdatin/ES)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Reviewed by: Yuyu Mulyani