The 9 principles

  • 1. Avoid risks: remove the hazard whenever possible.
  • 2. Assess the risks that cannot be avoided, which feeds the DUERP risk assessment document.
  • 3. Tackle risks at source, rather than limiting their effects.
  • 4. Adapt work to people: workstations, equipment, methods and work pace.
  • 5. Take technical progress into account to improve safety.
  • 6. Replace what is dangerous with what is not, or is less so.
  • 7. Plan prevention, integrating technology, organisation, working conditions, social relations and the risks of moral and sexual harassment.
  • 8. Give priority to collective protection over individual protection.
  • 9. Give appropriate instructions to workers.

The order matters

These principles form a hierarchy: first try to remove the risk, then reduce it at source, and only then protect people. A guardrail (collective protection) comes before a harness (individual protection).

Where does first aid fit in?

Even with exemplary prevention, an accident or someone feeling unwell is still possible. The ninth principle, giving appropriate instructions, includes training: Workplace First Aiders both report risky situations and act effectively if an accident happens.