У даній статті опрацьовується науковий та нормативно-правовий підхід до визначення категорії «охорони праці», а також охарактеризовані категорії «роботодавець» та This article deals with the scientific and regulatory approach to defining the category of "labor protection", as well as the described categories of "employer" and "employee", the principles of their interaction to ensure comfortable and safe working conditions. The basic principles of state regulation, which include the provision of decent working conditions for employees, the creation of such working conditions in which the likelihood of harmful or dangerous situations for life and health is minimized. The research was conducted on the basis of the sixth section of the Law of Ukraine "On labor protection". The study identifies economic management methods that will improve health and safety measures, as well as the features of informing employees, their training in the basics of health care in the industrial enterprise. The issue of labor protection regulation at all levels of state regulation in the vertical direction from the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine to trade unions has been identified. It is a preliminary conclusion that the state management of labor protection is a multilevel and complex functional process, which at all levels of executive power controls and coordinates compliance with labor protection at enterprises and institutions, regardless of their form of ownership. It is determined that the existing system of state supervision over labor safety in Ukraine needs to be improved and brought to international standards. Based on the results of the analysis of scientific works, it is proposed to consider the state management of labor protection in accordance with systemic and structural-functional characteristics (approaches), which allows to determine the competence of all authorities and management in the relevant field of regulation. The main functions of state, public and departmental control over compliance with labor protection laws are analyzed. The efficiency of the labor protection management system is evaluated. The definition and the basic sphere of competence of the State Labor Service of Ukraine are given. On the basis of the conducted research the conclusion on improvement of base of normative-legal regulation is made that as a result will help in realization of effective control over observance of the rights of workers to labor safety.