Role and mission of prevention stakeholders in companies

The Role of the Designated Worker

 

The designated worker is a person appointed by the employer to handle occupational risk protection and prevention activities within the company. Their main responsibilities are to be agreed upon with the employer and may include:

 

• Identification and assessment of occupational risks.
• Proposal of prevention and protection measures.
• Monitoring compliance with applicable legislation.
• Raising worker awareness and training on safety issues.
• Collaboration with management, employees, and external bodies such as the Labor and Mines Inspectorate (ITM).
• Conducting audits and reports on the state of safety within the company.

 

The designated worker therefore plays an advisory and support role for the employer, while ensuring smooth communication with employees on safety issues.

 

Designated Worker Training

 

To perform their duties, designated workers must complete training appropriate to the size of the company and the specific risks of their sector of activity.

 

Mandatory Training

 

Designated worker training is mandatory and is provided by organizations approved by the ITM. It includes:

 

• Basic training in occupational safety and health.
• Specific modules depending on the sector of activity.
• Continuing training to update their knowledge in line with regulatory and technological developments.

 

Skills Updating

 

It is imperative that designated workers continue to receive training throughout their career to keep up with evolving safety standards and best practices in risk prevention.

 

**The Occupational Safety and Health Representative ** Employee safety and health must be a top priority within the company's organization. In order to guarantee a healthy and safe working environment, legislation requires the appointment of a health and safety representative for companies with a staff delegation.

 

**Designation and mission of the safety and health delegate ** During the founding meeting of the staff delegation, a safety and health representative is appointed from among the elected members or from among the other employees. Their identity is communicated in writing to the company manager within three days. This representative's primary mission is to monitor the safety and health conditions of employees within the company. They record their findings in a special register, accessible to members of the delegation and the inspection services. In the event of an emergency, they may directly alert the Labor and Mines Inspectorate, while simultaneously informing the company manager and the staff delegation. Each week, they are authorized to conduct inspection tours of company premises and temporary construction sites. In administrative departments, these tours are limited to two per year.

 

Mandatory consultations and information

 

The company manager is required to consult and inform the safety and health representative on several crucial points:

• Assessment of occupational safety and health risks, including those affecting vulnerable groups.
• Protective measures to be adopted and protective equipment to be used if necessary.
• Reporting to the Labor and Mines Inspectorate, in accordance with Article L. 614-11.
• Any action impacting employee safety and health.
• Appointment of employees responsible for occupational risk protection and prevention activities.
• First aid, firefighting, and employee evacuation measures.
• Organization of relations with external services for emergencies (rescue, medical assistance, fire, rescue).
• Use of external expertise for occupational risk prevention.
• Employee training on best practices in safety and health.
• Assessment of environmental risks related to health and working conditions. Environmental protection measures, if they have an impact on the health and working conditions of employees.

 

The delegate has the right to propose measures to mitigate any risks or eliminate sources of danger.

 

Other rights and obligations The delegate collaborates closely with the designated employees. They are entitled to 40 hours of training leave per term, increased by 10 hours for a first term, without loss of pay. These training sessions are organized by unions or specialized institutions.

 

Finally, they cannot suffer any loss of pay due to inspection rounds or assistance provided to the labor and mining inspection services.