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Ukraine’s state policy in the field of occupational safety and health in the context of European integration

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Parent Category: 2026

Category: Content №3 2026

Created on 26 June 2026

Last Updated on 26 June 2026

Published on 30 November -0001

Written by I. Prots, O. Ilyushyk, Yu. Lozynskyi, M. Zadnipriana-Korinna, V. Slobodian

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Authors:

I. Prots*, orcid.org/0000-0002-6483-0121, Lviv State University of Internal Affairs, Lviv, Ukraine, e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

O. Ilyushyk, orcid.org/0000-0002-4619-5785, Danylo Halytsky Lviv National Medical University,  Lviv, Ukraine

Yu. Lozynskyi, orcid.org/0000-0003-2908-7747, Lviv State University of Internal Affairs, Lviv, Ukraine

M. Zadnipriana-Korinna, orcid.org/0000-0001-8779-9246, National University of Food Technologies, Kyiv, Ukraine

V. Slobodian, orcid.org/0000-0003-2503-703X, National University of Food Technologies, Kyiv, Ukraine

* Corresponding author e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

повний текст / full article

Naukovyi Visnyk Natsionalnoho Hirnychoho Universytetu. 2026, (3): 092 - 104

https://doi.org/10.33271/nvngu/2026-3/092

Abstract:

Purpose. To assess the level of harmonization of Ukrainian labor protection legislation with EU directives and ILO standards, identify systemic gaps in reform efforts, and develop an analytical model for quantitatively evaluating the readiness of the national occupational safety and health system to meet EU-27 standards.

Methodology. A comparative method was applied to compare the provisions of domestic labor law with Directives 89/391/EEC, 89/654/EEC, 2009/104/EU, and ILO Conventions Nos. 155, 161, and 187; a structural-functional approach was used to analyze the coordination of activities between the Ministry of Social Policy, the State Labor Service, and the Ministry of Health. The integrated harmonization index (I_harm) was constructed using the weighted aggregation method of five normalized sub-indices (AHP, CR = 0.07); normalization was performed using the min-max method within the range from the 2013 level to the EU-27 standard. The coefficients of the adjusted injury rate R_adj ( = 0.35;  = 0.42) were calibrated using OLS based on data from 2016–2024 and regression analysis of panel data from 10 CEE countries (EU-OSHA/Eurostat, 2004–2015).

Findings. Ukraine is at an intermediate level of harmonization (I_harm » 0.52–0.54), which corresponds to an active but incomplete phase of reform. The greatest gaps were recorded in the sub-indices of law enforcement (E » 0.29) and safety culture (C » 0.41). Martial law conditions led to the suspension of scheduled inspections and an underestimation of official statistics: R_adj exceeds the registered level by an average of 1.35 times. The key provisions of the new Law “On Occupational Safety and Health” are outlined: full employer liability (Article 4), the hierarchy of risk prevention (Article 14), independent OSH services (Article 15), external audits for high-risk industries (Article 18), and protection of vulnerable groups (Article 28).

Originality. The authors have developed the I_harm model based on five weighted sub-indices (legislative harmonization, institutional capacity, safety culture, law enforcement, and digitalization) and proposed an adjusted indicator, R_adj, that accounts for the impact of martial law.

Practical value. The I_harm model enables sector-specific monitoring of harmonization progress in industry, construction, agriculture, and the service sectors; allows for the concentration of inspection and training resources where the gap from EU standards is greatest; and serves as a regulatory planning tool for achieving EU-27 standards by 2030.

Keywords: occupational safety, European integration, harmonization of legislation, EU directives, harmonization index

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