The Legal Requirement for OHS Coverage
According to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), every employer who hires even one employee is obligated to provide coverage from a registered occupational health service. This is not a recommendation — it is a legal obligation, the non-compliance with which leads to serious sanctions.
Specifically, Article 25 of the OHSA requires the employer to ensure that workers are serviced by an occupational health service registered under the law. The occupational health service advises and assists the employer in organizing activities to ensure healthy and safe working conditions.
The obligation to sign a contract with an OHS applies to all employers, regardless of the number of hired persons, the industry sector, or the form of ownership. Even a company with a single employee must have OHS coverage.
The Statistics Speak for Themselves
Data from the Labour Inspectorate and the National Social Security Institute (NSSI) paint a clear picture of the importance of occupational health for businesses in Bulgaria:
These numbers clearly show that occupational health is not just an "administrative expense" but a real investment with measurable returns. Companies that take OHS coverage seriously report significantly fewer absences, higher productivity, and a better working atmosphere.
What Does the OHS Do for Your Company?
The occupational health service performs numerous key functions that are essential for every organization:
- Risk Assessment — identifying potential hazards at every workplace and proposing measures to minimize them. Learn more about risk assessment.
- Organizing Medical Examinations — preliminary examinations upon hiring and periodic examinations to monitor health status. See how we organize examinations.
- Health Records — creating and maintaining electronic and paper records for each employee.
- OHS Training — initial and annual training of occupational health and safety committees.
- Documentation — preparing a full set of health and safety at work documents. See the full list of documents.
Comparison: Without OHS vs. With OHS Coverage
To make the difference even clearer, here is a comparison between companies that have and those that do not have occupational health service coverage:
| Aspect | Without OHS Coverage | With OHS Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Compliance | OHSA violation, risk of fine BGN 1,500 - 15,000 | Full compliance, peace of mind during inspections |
| Risk Assessment | Missing — hazards remain unidentified | Up-to-date assessment with specific measures |
| Medical Examinations | Not conducted or chaotic | Systematically planned by type and frequency |
| Documentation | Incomplete or missing | Full set of up-to-date documents |
| Health Records | Not maintained | Personal file for each employee |
| OHS Training | Not conducted | Annual training of safety committees |
| Liability in Case of Accident | Full liability on the employer | Demonstrated duty of care, reduced liability |
| Staff Turnover | Higher — employees do not feel protected | Lower — demonstrated care for health |
What Do You Risk Without OHS?
Companies without a contract for occupational health service coverage are exposed to numerous risks:
Financial Sanctions
Fines during an inspection by the Labour Inspectorate can range from BGN 1,500 to 15,000 for the employer and from BGN 250 to 1,000 for the responsible official. For repeat violations, sanctions are doubled.
Legal Consequences
In the event of a workplace accident without a prepared risk assessment and without OHS coverage, the employer bears full liability. This can lead to compensation claims, lawsuits, and even criminal liability.
Loss of Productivity
Without systematic monitoring of employee health, the risks of occupational diseases and frequent sick leave increase. Studies show that investments in occupational health pay off many times over through reduced absences and increased efficiency.
Upon repeat identification of a violation by the Labour Inspectorate, fines are doubled. In addition to financial sanctions, regulatory authorities may also impose compulsory administrative measures, including suspension of the facility's operations until violations are remedied.
Step by Step: How to Get Started with OHS Coverage
The process of starting occupational health service coverage is easier than most employers assume. Here is how it typically goes:
Contact a Licensed OHS
Choose an occupational health service with a valid license from the Ministry of Health. Avalon OHS will consult you free of charge about the specific needs of your company.
Sign a Service Agreement
The agreement regulates the scope of services, the frequency of examinations and trainings, and the applicable fees. The price depends on the number of employees and the specifics of the activity.
Workplace Risk Assessment
The OHS team conducts a thorough inspection of workplaces, identifies hazards, and assesses risks. The result is a detailed risk map with measures for minimization.
Organizing Medical Examinations
The OHS determines the required medical specialists and examination frequency for each position. It coordinates the schedule and ensures their execution.
Preparing Documentation and Training
A full set of OHS documents, safety committee training, instruction forms. Everything needed for full legal compliance.
Ongoing Service and Consultations
Annual health status analysis, document updates, consultations on legislative changes or work organization changes.
Specific Benefits of OHS Coverage
Beyond legal requirements, the occupational health service delivers real benefits for business:
- Prevention — early identification of health problems and risks before they become serious.
- Peace of Mind — during an inspection by regulatory authorities, your documentation is fully in order.
- Employee Engagement — when employees see that the employer invests in their health, motivation and loyalty increase.
- Reduced Costs — fewer sick days, fewer workplace accidents, fewer lawsuits.
- Competitive Advantage — for public procurement participation and ISO 45001 certification, OHS coverage is mandatory.
- Improved Reputation — a company that cares for its people's health attracts higher-quality talent.
Investment in occupational health is not an expense — it is a strategic decision that protects both employee health and the financial health of the company.
How to Choose the Right OHS?
When choosing an occupational health service, pay attention to the following criteria:
- License — verify that the service holds a valid license from the Ministry of Health.
- Experience — how many years of experience it has and which industries it has worked with.
- Comprehensive Services — whether it offers the full range of OHSA activities.
- Medical Team — whether it has physicians in the specialties required for your activity.
- Responsiveness — how quickly it responds when consultation or a document is needed.
Avalon OHS has offered comprehensive service since 2005, holding license No. 278-1/27.08.2020 from the Ministry of Health. Contact us for a free consultation.
Key Takeaways
- OHS coverage is mandatory for EVERY employer, regardless of the number of employees
- Fines for lack of an OHS contract can reach up to BGN 15,000, and up to BGN 30,000 for repeat violations
- 87% of companies without an OHS contract receive sanctions during Labour Inspectorate inspections
- OHS investment pays back 3.2 times through reduced sick leave and higher productivity
- Avalon OHS offers comprehensive service — from risk assessment to training and documentation
- The process of starting coverage is simple and fast — typically within 1-2 weeks
- In a workplace accident without OHS, the employer bears full personal and financial liability
