Under the Arbeidsomstandighedenwet (Arbowet), every Dutch employer must arrange professional support on working conditions, either through an internal expert structure (maatwerkregeling) or by contracting a certified arbodienst (vangnetregeling). The arbodienst provides a company doctor, safety expert, occupational hygienist, and work-organisation specialist.
Core duties include advising on the Risico-Inventarisatie en -Evaluatie (RI&E), supporting sickness absence management, running periodic medical examinations (PAGO), and coaching managers on reintegration under the Wet Verbetering Poortwachter. Employees retain the right to an independent consultation with the company doctor (open spreekuur) without the employer being informed of content.
Employers must put a written contract (basiscontract) in place with the arbodienst that covers the minimum statutory services. The Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie enforces the contract requirement, and missing or inadequate arrangements can trigger administrative fines.