Occupational health services in the Nordic countries

Occupational health services in the Nordic countries--Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden--started as initiatives of single industrial enterprises. Coverage of employees by voluntary occupational health services ranges from an estimated 23% of employees in Denmark to 93% of employees in Finland. Contents of OHS in the Nordic countries correspond mainly with the ILO Convention (161/85) on OHS. The services are primarily directed to preventing work related problems and achieving a better working environment. Employers are responsible for the total costs of occupational health services in all Nordic countries, but each nation has state reimbursement plans to help cover the costs. However, additional advantages in the subsidy system are needed to stimulate even the smaller enterprises to join the occupational health system.