Employer health and safety obligations

The employer must ensure the safety and protect the physical and mental health of employees. In this capacity, the employer implements risk prevention actions, organizes information and training activities, adapts the business’s organization and resources, and assesses risks in the single occupational risk assessment document (DUERP).

• Avoid risks.
• Assess risks that cannot be avoided.
• Combat risks at source.
• Adapt the work to the individual.
• Keep up with technical developments.
• Replace dangerous situations.
• Plan prevention globally.
• Prioritize collective protection.
• Give clear instructions to employees.

The employer must identify and prevent the main risks related to the activity:

• Risks of falling from heights.
• Risks related to machinery and equipment.
• Psychosocial risks (stress, violence, overload).
• Chemical risks.
• Risks related to arduous working conditions (noise, manual handling, vibrations).

These actions must be adapted to the nature of the activity and updated regularly.

The employer must provide safety training to employees. Consequently, new hires receive training upon starting their positions, employees changing roles are supported through the transition, temporary workers receive adapted training, and employees returning after a leave of absence are informed of the rules in effect.

This training must be regular and adapted to the risks. It varies based on the business’s size and activity, the nature of the risks and the type of position held. A lack of training can lead to penalties.

Prevention must be integrated into the business’s organization. The employer ensures compliance with safety instructions, adapts working conditions to identified risks, can adjust schedules in the event of extreme conditions, and provides personal protective equipment (PPE).