Regulations governing the organisation and management of occupational health and safety for the staff of the State of Valais (RSS-Pers) - Purpose (RSG-PERS)

1. The purpose of the present regulation is to organize the implementation of health protection and safety in the workplace within the cantonal administration, in accordance with the industry solution "Safety and Health Protection at the Workplace in Cantonal and Federal Administrations" (hereinafter: industry solution).

1. This regulation applies to the civil servants and employees of the cantonal administration, the auxiliary staff and employees with permanent employment contracts, the court clerks and administrative personnel of the courts and the public prosecutor's office, the corps of the cantonal police, the teaching staff and the administrative and technical staff of the cantonal schools, as well as the interns and apprentices (hereinafter: Staff).

1. Any designation of person, status, or function applies equally to men and women.

1. To implement the joint industry solution, a management system for workplace safety and health protection (hereinafter referred to as: WHP-System) is introduced in the cantonal administration.

1. The Office for Employee Protection and Employment Relations, as well as Suva for the areas of responsibility assigned to it by federal legislation, are the independent supervisory authority for ensuring compliance with regulations concerning hygiene, health protection, and workplace safety within the state.

1. The State Council decides on the objectives in the area of workplace safety and health protection and provides the necessary resources for further implementation.

2. It approves the reference manual issued by the Coordination Body for Workplace Safety and Health Protection in the cantonal administration.

1. The State Council appoints a coordination body (hereinafter: CB) for workplace safety and health protection in the cantonal administration.

2. The CB is administratively assigned to the Department of Finance, Institutions, and Security.

3. The members of the CB are appointed by the State Council.

4. The CB establishes its working methods.

1. The CO is the strategic body responsible for the implementation of the OHS system.

2. It has the following specific duties

a) It proposes to the State Council the principles of policy and the objectives of the OHS system;

b) It designates the units exposed to particular dangers (as per ASA Directive No. 6508);

c) It establishes the tasks and responsibilities of the bodies and individuals mentioned in Articles 9 to 16 above;

d) It approves specific sectorial or standard solutions and coordinates them with the sectorial solution, where applicable.

1. The Chief of Service or Institution Director is the head of the OHS (Occupational Health and Safety) system.

2. As such, they are responsible for the implementation of the OHS system within their own unit. They adapt the reference manual issued by the Safety Officer to the needs of their unit.

3. For units that are geographically close and exhibit similar hazards, the chiefs may, for purposes of rationalization and synergy utilization, form a single risk unit by mutual agreement and with the consent of the OHS Officer. However, each chief remains responsible for the implementation of the OHS system within their own unit.

1. The Office for Personnel and Organization is the specialized agency responsible for safety and health protection at the workplace within the cantonal administration. The specialized agency serves as the operational unit of the Coordination Office (KO) for the implementation of the Occupational Safety and Health Management System (SGA-System).

1. An ASA specialist who meets the requirements of the Federal Ordinance of November 25, 1996, on the Suitability of Occupational Safety Specialists shall be employed by the specialist department as the person responsible for the SGA system (hereinafter referred to as the SGA Officer).

2. The Officer is the contact person and is responsible for providing advice and support in the area of workplace safety and health protection.

1. In each unit with specific hazards (pursuant to ASA Directive No. 6508), Committees for Hygiene and Safety shall be established (hereinafter: CHS).

2. If several units with specific hazards have combined to form a risk unit within the meaning of Article 9 Paragraph 3, they may, by mutual agreement and with the consent of the SGA Officer, establish a single committee.

1. The AHS is chaired by the head. In the case of a risk unit, it is chaired by one of the affected heads.

2. It also consists of employees who possess industry-specific knowledge in health protection and safety, as well as the necessary ASA specialists.

1. The Health and Safety Officer (HSO) coordinates the necessary structures for implementing measures for workplace safety and health protection within the unit for which they have been designated.

2. The duties and composition of the Health and Safety Officer are approved by the Board of Directors upon the recommendation of the Head.

1. Every office or institution shall designate at least one contact person for occupational health and safety (hereinafter: CHS).

2. If multiple units without special hazards have combined to form a risk unit under Article 9, paragraph 3, they may, by mutual agreement and with the consent of the OSH officer, designate a single contact person.

3. The CHS conveys information regarding health protection and workplace safety within their unit and ensures the proper implementation of occupational safety and health measures for the staff. Additionally, they act as a liaison between the staff, the specialist department, and the Coordinator.

4. The tasks of the CHS shall be approved by the OSH officer upon the request of the chief.

1. Employees are required to participate in the implementation of regulations concerning health protection and workplace safety.

2. They use personal protective equipment, correctly apply safety devices, and do not remove or modify them without their supervisor's approval.

3. Employees must promptly report any irregularities and defects that endanger health protection and workplace safety to their supervisors.

4. In the event of a health hazard and if the supervisor fails to take the necessary measures, any employee may contact the supervisory authority pursuant to Article 4.

1. The persons and members of bodies mentioned in Articles 9 to 16 above must complete the training designated for them by the SGA system.

2. The specialist department provides the participants for the mandatory courses.

1. This regulation shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force on March 1, 2008.