Annual report of Internal Department for Prevention and Protection in the Workplace

Don't forget the 2021 Annual Report from the Internal Department for Prevention and Protection at Work

SD Worx Knowledge Centre

Health and safety at work

The welfare legislation obliges the employer to organise a preventive welfare policy at work. One of the obligations in this regard is the establishment of an internal department for prevention and protection at work (IDPPW). Every employer is obliged to do this.

The IDPPW consists of at least one prevention adviser (member of staff), usually supplemented by experts and administrative staff. A medical supervision department may also be included.

In any case, the IDPPW must be capable of multidisciplinary operation.

In companies with fewer than 20 employees, the employer may take on the role of prevention adviser.

If the company does not have sufficient expertise to perform all the duties of the IDPPW, the employer must outsource these tasks to an external department for prevention and protection at work.

Annual report

The prevention adviser must draw up an annual report on the operation of the IDPPW. The employer shall keep this report to be made available for inspection.

The annual report provides an overview of the preventive welfare policy that was carried out within the company during 2021. It also statistically reflects the events in terms of well-being.

The content of the annual report is determined by law. FPS Employment, Labour and Social Consultation makes the necessary forms available to employers, together with an explanatory note.

Consequences for the employer

Every employer must keep an annual report available for inspection. Failure to comply with this obligation is punishable by law.

How will this affect the public sector?

The preparation and availability of the IDPPW annual report is also an obligation in the public sector.

SD Worx Social/Legal News March 2022 Page 44