According to Act on Working Environment, Health and Safety in Workplaces, No. 46/1980, in companies employing 10 people or more, the employer shall appoint one person as a safety guard on their behalf and the employees shall appoint another from their group as a safety representative. The Administration of Occupational Safety and Health oversees administration and monitoring in the field covered by this Act, as well as the training for the safety guards.
In companies employing 50 people or more, a safety committee shall be established. The employees select from their group two representatives and the employer appoints two representatives. According to Act on Trade Unions and Industrial Disputes, No. 80/1938, Article 11, employers and their representatives are not permitted to terminate the employment of safety guards and representatives in the safety committee, on account of their service as such.