Criminal Code of the Russian Federation
The Criminal Code applies where a safety failure has already caused serious harm. The line between an administrative fine and a criminal case is the consequence: no injury means an administrative penalty, grievous harm to health or a death means a criminal one.
Liability falls on the individual on whom the duty rested - typically the person who authorised the work or supervised it. A company cannot be a defendant under Russian criminal law; a named manager or engineer can.
Why it matters for permit-to-work
For permit-to-work, these are the articles that put a signature at personal risk. The person who signed a permit for work that was not safe is the person on whom the duty rested. Article 143 covers occupational safety generally, Article 216 construction and other works, Article 217 hazardous production facilities.
Key articles
Amounts are in Russian roubles (RUB). Article links open the verbatim Russian text at the exact article.
Violation of occupational safety requirements
The general occupational-safety offence, committed by the person charged with observing the requirements, where negligence caused grievous harm or death.
| What is penalised | Sanction |
|---|---|
| Grievous harm to health (part 1) | Fine up to 400,000 RUB or up to 18 months of earnings; community service 180-240 hours; corrective labour up to 2 years; forced labour or imprisonment up to 1 year, with a ban on holding certain positions for up to 1 year |
| Death of one person (part 2) | Forced labour or imprisonment up to 4 years, with a ban on holding certain positions for up to 3 years |
| Death of two or more persons (part 3) | Forced labour or imprisonment up to 5 years, with a ban on holding certain positions for up to 3 years |
Violation of safety rules in construction or other works
Applies to construction and similar works. Unlike Article 143, it is triggered by major property damage as well as by harm to a person.
| What is penalised | Sanction |
|---|---|
| Grievous harm or major damage (part 1) | Fine up to 80,000 RUB or up to 6 months of earnings; restriction of liberty, forced labour or imprisonment up to 3 years, with a ban on holding certain positions for up to 3 years |
| Death of one person (part 2) | Forced labour or imprisonment up to 5 years, with a ban on holding certain positions for up to 3 years |
| Death of two or more persons (part 3) | Forced labour up to 5 years or imprisonment up to 7 years, with a ban on holding certain positions for up to 3 years |
Violation of industrial safety requirements at hazardous production facilities
The counterpart of Article 216 for hazardous production facilities - refineries, chemical plants, mines, gas networks. Part 1 was last amended by Federal Law No. 218-FZ of 23 July 2025.
| What is penalised | Sanction |
|---|---|
| Grievous harm or major damage (part 1) | Fine up to 400,000 RUB or up to 18 months of earnings; forced labour or imprisonment up to 3 years, with a ban on holding certain positions for up to 3 years |
| Death of one person (part 2) | Forced labour or imprisonment up to 5 years, with a ban on holding certain positions for up to 3 years |
| Death of two or more persons (part 3) | Forced labour up to 5 years or imprisonment up to 7 years, with a ban on holding certain positions for up to 3 years |
Violation of fire safety requirements
The hot-work counterpart: applies where a breach of fire-safety rules by the person responsible for them caused grievous harm or death.
535 articles in 36 chapters, in Russian - the only version with legal force.
Open the Russian text