The Ministry of Labor and Social Security (MTSS) has enacted Resolution 57/2026 concerning workplace safety and health management, as announced in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cuba No. 78 Ordinary of 2026, published this past Friday, spanning from pages 255 to 264.
Issued on September 7, this regulation fulfills the directive of the Second Final Provision of Law 189, known as the "Labor Code," which was approved by the National Assembly on July 30. This directive tasked the MTSS with establishing additional regulations regarding occupational safety and health.
The primary objective of this regulation, as stated in its first article, is to enhance the provisions outlined in the Labor Code. It encompasses the operation of workplace safety and health groups and committees, addresses specifics related to high-risk equipment, processes, and activities, and mandates the planning and maintenance of personal protective equipment.
This resolution is applicable to both Cuban workers and foreign employees with various immigration statuses working in Cuba under subordination, as well as to all employers across different sectors.
Every employer is now required to develop a comprehensive safety and health program. This program must include security policies, risk assessments, fire prevention plans, occupational hygiene, occupational health care, management of personal protective equipment, worker training, audits and inspections, and economic evaluation of costs resulting from accidents and incidents.
The regulation establishes the National Group for Safety and Health at Work, coordinated by the MTSS and including representatives from leading authorities, with continuous involvement from union and employer representatives.
This group will convene quarterly—during the first week following the end of each quarter—to propose strategies for improvement, assess the current state of workplace safety, and report to governmental bodies.
On an organizational level, the resolution mandates the formation of Safety and Health Committees at all workplaces with more than 25 employees, serving as a consultative body with at least three members.
These committees are expected to meet monthly, but in workplaces with low-risk conditions or stable results, the top executive may decide on quarterly meetings instead.
Resolution 57/2026 is part of a broader set of 14 regulations published in the Official Gazette No. 78 Ordinary of 2026. This set also includes the Labor Code itself, Decree 179/2026 from the Council of Ministers regarding labor violations and penalties, and resolutions from the Ministry of Public Health concerning occupational diseases and medical examinations.
In terms of workplace safety and hygiene, this new regulation supersedes Resolution 39/2007 by the MTSS, which had established the General Bases of Safety and Health at Work and was in effect for nearly two decades, replacing an even older system dating back to 1964.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuba's New Workplace Safety Regulation
What is the main purpose of Resolution 57/2026?
Resolution 57/2026 aims to enhance the provisions outlined in Cuba's Labor Code by focusing on the management of workplace safety and health, including the operation of safety and health groups, risk management, and maintenance of protective equipment.
Who does the new workplace safety regulation apply to?
The regulation applies to both Cuban and foreign workers with various immigration statuses employed in Cuba, as well as to all employers regardless of their sector.
What are employers required to include in their safety and health programs?
Employers must include security policies, risk assessments, fire prevention plans, occupational hygiene, health care, management of protective equipment, worker training, audits, inspections, and economic evaluation of accident costs in their programs.