In order to reinforce the safety and health of food delivery workers, the Ministry of Labor revised and promulgated the “Regulations for the Occupational Safety and Health Equipment and Measures” yesterday(2nd). In accordance with the regulations, employers are to provide protective facilities such as helmets, reflective signs, and prevention of high and low temperature hazards, as well making hazard prevention plans for food delivery operations in compliance with relevant guidelines issued by the Ministry of Labor; factors such as traffic, weather conditions, number of deliveries, time and location should also be evaluated, and work should be reasonably assigned, so as to protect the physical and mental health of workers. At the same time, the Ministry of Labor plans a four-month period of counseling, to implement counseling visits, assist business units to put laws and regulations into practice, and promote the rights and interests of workers engaged in the food delivery industry.
The Ministry of Labor stated that the “Guidelines for the Safety of Food Delivery Operations 1.0” was established on October 2, 2019, requiring employers to implement safety management measures such as the prevention and handling of traffic accidents and the prevention of heat hazards, and to strengthen the safety and rights protection of food delivery operations. After taking the suggestions and practical needs of all walks of life into consideration, the MOL amended and issued the "Guidelines for the Safety of Food Delivery Operations 2.0" on December 2 of the same year, adding preventive measures for reasonable work assignment, insurance types and coverage, and avoiding physical and mental health hazards caused by excess workload. This revision of Regulations for the Occupational Safety and Health Equipment and Measures especially reinforces the relevant safety and health protection regulations and the legal validity of food delivery operations (amendment highlights are detailed in the annex). If the employer fails to comply with the regulations, he/she may be fined up to NT $ 300,000 according to the Occupational Safety and Health Act. In addition, in order to provide the basis of previous regulations for employers to make hazard prevention plans on food delivery operations, the Ministry of Labor also promulgated the Guidelines for the Safety and Hygiene of Food Delivery Operation (version 3.0).
The Ministry of Labor emphasized that only by ensuring the safety and health of operations can the rights and interests of company and worker be protected. After the implementation of the regulation, the Ministry will promote the counseling and visit plan, guiding business units to improve the safety and hygiene facilities in a timely manner, so as to prevent occupational disasters. In addition, for work under individual contracts without employment relationships, the Ministry will reinforce the Occupational Safety and Health Act to ensure the safety and health of workers through law-making procedures in the future.
