Occupational Medicine in Morocco: Organization and Legal Obligations

Occupational medicine in Morocco is governed by the Labor Code (Law 65-99). It mandates the creation of a medical service for companies with 50 or more employees. This article details the organization, obligations, and role of the occupational physician.

Legal Framework

Occupational medicine in Morocco is governed by the Labor Code (Law No. 65-99), enacted by Dahir No. 1-03-194 of 14 Rejab 1424 (September 11, 2003). The occupational medicine system is defined in Articles 304 to 343, which are part of Title IV — "On the Hygiene and Safety of Employees" (Articles 281 to 344) of Book II. This legal framework sets the thresholds for creation, the role of the occupational physician, the employer's obligations, and the monitoring of employees exposed to specific risks.

Beyond the Labor Code, the Moroccan system is inspired by ILO Convention 161 (1985) on Occupational Health Services.

Threshold for Creating a Medical Service

Article 305 of the Moroccan Labor Code mandates the creation of an occupational medical service for companies with 50 or more employees. Below this threshold, the employer may join an inter-company medical service or contract with an approved occupational physician.

Two forms are possible:

• Independent medical service: For large enterprises, managed internally.
• Inter-company medical service: Shared among several companies in the same area or sector.

Qualifications of the Occupational Physician

The occupational physician must:

• Hold a medical degree
• Possess a qualification or accreditation in occupational medicine
• Be registered with the Moroccan Medical Association
• Respect professional secrecy and technical independence

The occupational physician is an advisor to the employer and employee representatives. They participate in the prevention of occupational risks and do not provide curative care within the company.

Main Missions

The missions of the occupational physician are defined by the Labor Code (Articles 304 to 343):

1. Prevention

• Inspecting workplaces and analyzing workstations
• Studying occupational risks
• Proposing preventive and protective measures
• Informing and training workers

2. Medical Surveillance

• Pre-employment, periodic, and return-to-work medical examinations
• Enhanced monitoring of employees exposed to specific risks (asbestos, lead, noise, chemical agents, night work)
• Monitoring of pregnant workers and workers with disabilities
• Detection of occupational diseases

3. Workstation Visits

• Assessing fitness for the position
• Proposing workplace adjustments or reassignment

Reporting and Traceability

The occupational physician prepares an annual activity report, which is submitted to the employer and the labor inspectorate.

Occupational Accidents in Morocco

Occupational accidents in Morocco are governed by Law No. 18-12 concerning occupational accidents and its implementing decree. According to Moroccan social security regulations (verified via CLEISS, the official French source), the employer must report the occupational accident to their insurer within a maximum of 5 days. The specific procedures and deadlines according to the relevant authority (insurer, labor inspectorate, CNSS) must be verified in the applicable text for the establishment.

Sources et références

1. Code du travail marocain (Loi n° 65-99), Titre IV — articles 304 à 343 (médecine du travail) ILO NATLEX : https://natlex.ilo.org/dyn/natlex2/r/natlex/fe/details?p3_isn=67319

2. INRS — Portail des risques professionnels (hygiène et santé au travail) https://www.inrs.fr/risques.html

3. OIT — Convention 161 sur les services de santé au travail (1985) (Occupational Health Services Convention) https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:12100:0::NO::P12100_ILO_CODE:C161