A variety of legal and legislative measures have been employed to reduce employee exposure to workplace risk factors for cardiovascular disease. These include legislation (and accompanying regulations) and collective bargaining by labor unions and employers, both of which are designed to reduce exposure to workplace chemical, physical, ergonomic and psychosocial hazards. The costs of workers' compensation for work-related cardiovascular disease may also provide an incentive to reduce workplace exposure to cardiovascular risk factors. The state of legislation (and regulations) in Europe, the United States and Japan is briefly reviewed. In addition, the use of workers' compensation and collective bargaining as prevention strategies in the United States is discussed. These measures not only have the potential to reduce exposure to workplace cardiovascular risk factors but also can promote the development of a "heart healthy" work environment.