Risk prevention plan (PPR): Obligations and advice

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The Risk Prevention Plan (Plan de Prévention des Risques – PPR) is an essential tool for ensuring safety in the workplace, especially when it comes to coordinating work involving several companies. Mandatory in many cases, it helps prevent accidents and ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.

The purpose of this article is to clarify the legal obligations of companies, and to provide practical advice on how to design an effective PPR adapted to each situation.

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What is a Risk Prevention Plan (PPR)?

The Risk Prevention Plan (Plan de Prévention des Risques – PPR) is a document drawn up with the aim of preventing accidents in the workplace and limiting the risks associated with work carried out by outside contractors. Unlike the Document Unique d’Evaluation des Risques Professionnels (DUERP)While the DUERP is concerned with the internal risks of a single company, the PPR focuses on the coordination of risks between several entities working on the same site.

The PPR is required in contexts such as construction sites, maintenance work and industrial activities. It becomes mandatory whenever an operation involves several companies and significant risks are identified.

Legal obligations for companies

Regulatory framework

The implementation of a PPR is governed by Article R4512-7 of the French Labor Codewhich requires a joint preliminary inspection and the establishment of clear instructions. These regulations are designed to ensure optimum coordination between companies and avoid conflicts of responsibility.

Cases of obligation

The PPR is mandatory in several situations, including :

  • Construction sites where several companies are working simultaneously.
  • Work involving specific risks: heights, hazardous chemicals.
  • Industrial activities involving multiple subcontracting.
  • The total number of hours planned for the work exceeds 400 hours over a period of 12 months or less.

Penalties for non-compliance

Failure to comply with PPR obligations can have serious consequences: administrative sanctions, civil and criminal liability for the employer, and even cessation of activities in the event of non-compliant inspections.

construction site

 

The key stages in setting up a PPR

Risk audit

The first step is to carry out an in-depth audit to identify the risks associated with the planned activities. This audit must take into account the different types of risk (physical, chemical, organizational) as well as potential interactions between companies.

Drawing up the plan

Once the risks have been identified, the plan must include :

  • A precise description of the activities concerned.
  • Risks assessed and prioritized.
  • Preventive measures to be taken.
  • Clear safety instructions for operators.

Communication and training

The PPR must be communicated to all stakeholders: the company manager, employees, the CSE and the labor inspectorate. Specific training courses may be required to raise employee awareness and ensure their involvement in complying with the instructions.

Involvement of outside contractors

Companies working on the site must be involved in drawing up and validating the PPR. A joint inspection can be organized to check that the planned measures are understood and appropriate.

Regular updates

A PPR is never static. It must be regularly updated to take account of changes in activities or new regulations in force.

Practical advice for a successful PPR

Optimized collaboration

Good communication between external contractors and end-users is essential. Regular meetings facilitate coordination and limit misunderstandings.

Use of digital tools

Digital solutions make it possible to centralize information, track corrective actions and guarantee traceability of the measures implemented. Risk management software such as PrevenRisk or Enablon are available. These platforms automate data collection, manage audits and inspections, and ensure real-time monitoring of prevention plans. These tools are also useful for automating updates and generating compliance reports, thus facilitating overall PPR management.

Team training

Training remains a key lever for instilling a culture of culture of prevention. Des sessions régulières permettent d’actualiser les connaissances des collaborateurs et d’adopter de nouveaux réflexes face aux risques.

Why call in an HRD?

The role of the HRD in risk management

In small companies without an HQSE (Quality, Health, Safety, Environment)The HRD plays a central role in the development and management of a PPR. He or she is responsible for coordinating preventive actions, ensuring compliance with current regulations, and involving teams in a proactive approach to prevention. Smaller companies can therefore call on the services of a timeshare HRD to benefit from multi-skilled support in this area.

The advantages of a timeshare HR manager

For small and medium-sized businesses, using a time-share HRD is an optimal solution for setting up a PPR. This professional offers :

  • Specialized expertise in occupational risk assessment and management.
  • Adaptability to business needsby intervening only when necessary.
  • Saving time and resources for managers, who can concentrate on their core business.

Time-sharing HR manager who studies graphs

Concrete examples

At Boost’RH, several part-time HR managers have been mobilized to support companies in a variety of contexts:

  • In the construction sector A HR director reorganized safety procedures on a complex site involving several subcontractors. By coordinating exchanges between companies and adapting prevention instructions, the risk of accidents was reduced by 30% in six months.
  • In the chemical industry Boost’RH: an SME called on Boost’RH to help structure its PPR following an audit recommending new preventive measures. Targeted training helped to improve team vigilance in the face of specific risks, such as handling hazardous products.
  • In the service sector A Boost’RH HR Director set up an adapted PPR for a renovation project involving several service providers. By using digital monitoring tools, incidents linked to coordination problems were completely avoided.

These interventions demonstrate the importance of tailored, personalized expertise to guarantee effective risk prevention.

 

Conclusion

The Risk Prevention Plan is an essential pillar in guaranteeing business safety and compliance. By following a structured approach and involving a time-sharing HRD, small businesses can ensure optimum risk management while building confidence among their teams and partners.

Boost’RH provides risk prevention experts to help managers set up an effective PPR tailored to the specific needs of their sector. Contact our teams for personalized support.

 

Need an expert in safety and occupational hazards?

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Philippe P, OHS Manager at Boost'RH Groupe

Philippe P, expert SST

Our expert advises all small companies to call on a time-sharing HRD to draw up the PPR when there is no OHS / HSQE manager within their organization. In this way, small companies can benefit from versatile, expert support in coordinating and drafting this essential document for co-activities.

As soon as there is co-activity, i.e. the involvement of several companies in a given worksite or project, the risks are increased. Upstream preparation, “before the first blow of the pickaxe”, is therefore crucial to prevent accidents and determine responsibilities. In the event of an accident, the Labour Inspectorate will examine the PPR to check whether the risk in question had indeed been identified. That’s why,” advises our expert, “it’s important to draw it up in as precise yet simple a manner as possible.

To sum up

En 3 Questions

  • When is the Risk Prevention Plan mandatory?

    A Risk Prevention Plan is mandatory whenever an operation involves several companies on the same site and significant risks are identified. This applies in particular to construction sites, industrial works or activities involving exposure to hazardous substances.

  • What's the difference between the PPR and the DUERP?

    The DUERP (Document Unique d’Evaluation des Risques Professionnels) focuses on the internal risks of a single company, while the PPR (Plan de Prévention des Risques) aims to coordinate risks between several companies working on the same site. The PPR is therefore required in specific situations involving external interventions.

  • Which expert to contact to draw up a PPR?

    A risk prevention expert such as a part-time HR manager, can provide specialized expertise in identifying and prioritizing risks, coordinating the various stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. They also intervene by training teams and implementing appropriate tools, enabling SME managers to focus on their strategic priorities.