The Workplace Health and Safety Committee Registration with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare (MINTRAB) is a mandatory procedure for companies with 10 or more workers. The committee is the bipartite body that monitors working conditions, prevents accidents and occupational illness, and channels worker voice on safety matters. Without current registration, the company violates the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation and is exposed to fines from the General Labor Inspection.
Quick summary: Free (Q0) registration with MINTRAB. Mandatory for companies with 10+ workers. 2-year validity, renewable. Mixed procedure (online + in person). Time: 15-30 business days.
Information verified May 2026 based on Acuerdo Gubernativo 229-2014 (Occupational Health and Safety Regulation) and the Labor Code.
What is the Health and Safety Committee
It’s the bipartite, parity-based body inside the company, made up of employer and worker representatives, in charge of:
- Identifying workplace hazards
- Recommending preventive measures
- Monitoring safety policy compliance
- Investigating occupational accidents
- Training staff
- Drafting monthly minutes with agreements and follow-up
The committee is the foundation of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System every company must implement, regardless of sector (industrial, services, agricultural, retail, construction).
Who is Required
| Number of workers | Required structure |
|---|---|
| 1-9 | Health and Safety Officer (1 person) |
| 10-50 | Committee with at least 2 employer + 2 worker representatives |
| 51-100 | Expanded committee with 4 representatives per side |
| 101+ | Larger committee with 6+ representatives per side and area subcommittees |
Applies to all companies with salaried staff: private, public, mixed, NGOs, cooperatives, microfinance institutions, restaurants, hotels, agricultural farms with permanent staff.
Registration Requirements
- Registration application addressed to MINTRAB’s Occupational Health and Safety Department
- Current commercial license (patente) or legal entity ID
- Employer registration certificate with the IGSS
- Committee constitutive minutes signed by all members (MINTRAB template)
- Worker-representative election results (voting minutes)
- Valid DPI for each committee member
- Acceptance letter signed by each member
- Internal committee bylaws (MINTRAB template available)
- Annual health and safety plan for the company
- Training certificate for at least one member in OSH (INTECAP, IGSS or certified private course)
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1 — Worker representative election
Call a general assembly. Workers elect representatives and alternates by direct, secret vote. Draft assembly minutes with attendees’ signatures.
Step 2 — Employer representative designation
The legal representative designates committee members in writing. At least one should be from HR or industrial safety.
Step 3 — Constitutive minutes
In a joint meeting both sides sign the constitutive minutes, elect chairperson and secretary (alternating yearly between employer and workers), and approve internal bylaws.
Step 4 — Initial training
At least one member must certify OSH training. Available courses: INTECAP, IGSS, and private providers (40-80 hours).
Step 5 — File the application
Submit the complete file at MINTRAB’s Occupational Health and Safety Department, headquarters or departmental delegations. Some stages can be processed via the MINTRAB portal.
Step 6 — Inspection (if applicable)
MINTRAB may schedule a workplace visit to verify declared conditions, especially for industrial or high-risk companies.
Step 7 — Resolution and registration certificate
MINTRAB issues a resolution approving registration and delivers an official certificate that must be displayed at the workplace. Total time: 15-30 business days.
Cost and Time
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| MINTRAB fee | Free (Q0) |
| INTECAP training | Q500-Q1,500 per member |
| IGSS training | Free (limited slots) |
| Private training | Q1,000-Q3,000 per member |
| Optional legal advice | Q1,500-Q5,000 |
| Total time | 15-30 business days |
How to Apply: Committee Operation
Once registered, the committee must:
- Meet monthly and sign minutes
- Inspect the workplace quarterly
- Investigate every occupational accident within 48 hours
- Report quarterly to MINTRAB and IGSS
- Train workers on personal protective equipment (PPE) use
- Maintain first-aid kits, fire extinguishers and current signage
- Renew registration every 2 years
Penalties for Non-Compliance
| Infraction | Fine (2026) |
|---|---|
| No registered committee | Q10,000-Q40,000 |
| No monthly meetings | Q3,000-Q15,000 |
| No annual plan | Q5,000-Q20,000 |
| Accident without investigation | Q15,000-Q50,000 |
| Forged minutes | Fine + criminal prosecution |
Fines are imposed by the General Labor Inspection and may double if MINTRAB finds repeat violations.
Difference from Other Bodies
- Health and Safety Officer — for companies with fewer than 10 workers; a single person
- Emergency Brigade — voluntary body; complements but does not replace the committee
- IGSS Joint Committee — required by IGSS for occupational insurance purposes; separate from the MINTRAB committee
If your company needs both committees, you can integrate them but must keep separate minutes for each institution.
Related Procedures
- IGSS Employer Registration — prerequisite for registration
- IGSS Worker Affiliation — for each employee
- Severance Calculation — MINTRAB tool
- Labor Complaint — if non-compliance occurs
- Foreign Worker Permit — for foreign committee members
Official Links
- MINTRAB - Occupational Health and Safety Department
- Government services catalog
- Health and Safety Regulation (AG 229-2014)
- INTECAP - Industrial safety courses
The Health and Safety Committee isn’t just a procedure — it’s the first line of defense against workplace accidents. Companies that invest in their committee reduce absenteeism, improve productivity, and lower IGSS insurance premiums.