The principles of prevention

For all health and safety concerns, Regulation 4 of the Management Regulations requires employers to implement protective and preventative occupational safety measures by following a set of principles laying down a hierarchy of prevention and control that:

• avoid risks altogether;

• evaluate any risks that cannot be avoided;

• combat risks at source;

• adapt the work to the individual, particularly with regard to workplace design, the choice of work equipment and working and production methods, with a view to alleviating monotonous work and work at a predetermined work-rate;

• adapt to technical progress;

• replace dangerous work with safe or safer alternatives;

• develop a coherent overall prevention policy covering technology, work organisation, working conditions, social relationships and the working environment;

• prioritise collective over individual protective measures; and

• give workers appropriate instructions.