Strengthening Farm Health and Safety in Estonia

Farm health and safety governance in Estonia reveals systemic gaps in policy implementation and stakeholder engagement, particularly for small and micro farms. The SafeHabitus project identifies weak enforcement of occupational health and safety regulations, limited training for self-employed farmers, and fragmented coordination among key actors. Key institutions include the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communication, Labour Inspectorate, Estonian University of Life Sciences, and the Ministry of Education and Research. Recommendations focus on harmonising legislation, developing FHS curricula, establishing a centralised FHS plan, and improving data collection and public awareness. The project facilitated national dialogues, a 2025 risk analysis training course, and policy forums, highlighting ongoing challenges such as low priority for agricultural inspections and inconsistent reporting.