Changes to health and safety laws

At a glance

• The Ministry of Labour must now submit an annual report on workplace safety to Parliament.
• An employer now has the option to conduct the preventive medical examinations at the pre-employment stage.
• The procedures for medical examinations after extended absences have been revised.

On 13 December 2024, the Italian Parliament approved a law introducing significant changes to health and safety, amending the Consolidated Act on Health and Safety in the Workplace. These changes came into force on 15 January 2024. 

The Ministry of Labour is now required to submit an annual report to Parliament on workplace safety. This report will help monitor the effectiveness of current regulations and suggest possible improvements.

The new legislation also allows employers to conduct preventive medical examinations at the pre-employment stage, which must be performed exclusively by a competent doctor. This measure aims to prevent risky situations from the time of hiring, ensuring that the candidate is fit for the tasks outlined in the employment contract.

Additionally, the procedures for medical examinations after extended absences have been revised. A medical examination after 60 continuous days of absence is now mandatory only if deemed necessary by the competent doctor. If not necessary, the doctor must still provide a fitness judgment for the specific task.

Finally, the requirement for special technical needs to perform work in enclosed, underground, or semi-underground premises has been removed. The use of such premises is now allowed as long as the work does not produce harmful emissions.