The end of the year is a crucial time for every company: not only to draw up a financial statement, but also to assess the state of compliance and security within the organisation. It is the perfect time to review the activities carried out, check that regulatory deadlines have been met, update mandatory documents and plan corrective and improvement actions for the following year.
Why is it important to carry out an end-of-year review?
When it comes to health and safety at work, day-to-day management often leaves little room for strategic assessments. However, neglecting fundamental aspects such as the validity of training courses, updating safety documents and the effectiveness of preventive measures can expose the company to penalties, increase risks and undermine worker safety. Taking stock at the end of the year allows you to:
Furthermore, ending the year with a clear picture of the state of corporate security helps to plan more effectively for the new year, avoiding unforeseen events and helping to create a safer, more aware and compliant working environment.
Mandatory courses and refresher training: pay attention to deadlines
Health and safety training is a regulatory requirement, but also a fundamental tool for protecting people and improving organisational efficiency. Legislative Decree 81/2008 establishes a series of courses and refresher courses with specific deadlines, which must be carefully planned and recorded. Failure to provide training or expired refresher courses can pose a risk not only to workers but also to employers, with financial penalties and criminal liability. Let's take a look at the main requirements to be verified by the end of the year:
- Worker training refresher course: mandatory every 5 years for all employees, depending on the level of risk in the company (low, medium or high).
- Employer RSPP refresher course: those who hold the role of employer RSPP must complete the employer RSPP refresher course every 5 years (6 hours for low risk, 10 for medium risk, 14 for high risk).
- RLS refresher course: the workers' safety representative must attend the annual RLS refresher course (4 hours for companies with fewer than 15 employees, 8 hours for others).
- Supervisor refresher course: mandatory every 2 years, according to the new regulatory provisions of 2023.
- Training for supervisors: it is essential to train those who supervise the work of others, including through specific courses on safety management.
- RLS course: for newly appointed representatives, these must be planned as soon as possible.
- RSPP course for employers: in the event of a new appointment, it is necessary to start the basic course (16, 32 or 48 hours depending on the risk).
Document update: emergency plan and Legislative Decree 81/2008
In addition to training, safety also requires up-to-date documentation that is consistent with the company's operational reality. One of the most important tools in this regard is the emergency plan, which must always be aligned with the structural, organisational and operational conditions of the company: any change in the premises, in the number of employees or in the internal organisation (new departments, shifts, contract work, etc.) requires a revision of the plan.
Performing this check at the end of the year is strategic: it allows you to start the new year with a secure structure that complies with regulations. The emergency plan is not a static document, but a dynamic tool that must be updated whenever operating conditions change. The same applies to the risk assessment document (DVR) and other documents required by Legislative Decree 81/2008, which must be reviewed in the event of new risks, changes in processes, or the introduction of new equipment or substances.
Sicurezza Online support
To help companies stay compliant, Sicurezza Online offers online courses and updates to various workplace safety documents. Plan your next updates or new courses: the end of the year is the perfect opportunity to start afresh with a more solid and secure foundation!