Building craftsmen fully aware of the prevention of professional risks

Produced by IRIS-ST, the health and safety expert by CAPEB & CNATP, in partnership with the OPPBTP (Professional Organization for the Prevention of Building and Public Works) among business leaders employing 0 to 19 employees, this study identifies the knowledge, expectations, needs, practices but also the obstacles of artisanal construction and landscape companies in terms of professional risk management and more generally occupational health. Although a majority of them say they are aware of the subject, the responding companies nevertheless report a need for support on technical subjects.

Companies concerned by prevention issues

The majority of companies surveyed are aware of the risks to which they are subject during their activity. In fact, almost 85% of companies feel concerned by the subject (41% very concerned and 44% somewhat concerned). Note that 75% of them say they are fairly well or completely informed about these issues.

Proper identification of professional risks

The majority of craftsmen know and clearly identify the professional risks inherent in the exercise of their profession. The study also reveals that the risks identified are consistent with the main causes of work accidents in the sector. For 57%, they are linked to falls from height, 54% pointing to physical constraints and 32% targeting machine tools.

Knowledge of the profession at the service of risk identification

For 93% of respondents, knowledge of the profession is a determining element in assessing and identifying the professional risks they encounter, while 68% identify risks through exchanges and discussions with their peers. 56% say that writing the single document is useful to them. 76% have done so, which demonstrates the value of this tool in terms of prevention.

Prevention actions linked to company performance

The majority of organizational actions implemented are carried out with the aim of increasing the company's performance and quality of work. We note in fact that the tidying up of the site (80%), the checking of tools (66%) and the vehicle (58%), the presence of a first aid kit (83%) and a fire extinguisher (59% ) are the most implemented actions. On the other hand, notices, a formalized welcome for new employees or even an internal poster campaign are rarely or never put in place.

The difficulties faced by companies in implementing prevention actions

The difficulties are linked to a lack of time for 55%, the complexity of administrative procedures for 46% and finally the complexity of the regulations in force for 52%.

Conscious and dynamic employees on the subject

According to business leaders, their employees are often aware of the risks on the construction site (45%), are interested in the subject and want to discuss (24%), but find the prevention solutions too restrictive (43 %).

Craftsmen looking for technical support

Business leaders wish to be supported occasionally during serious accidents or on a specific theme, or to help them install a more sustainable prevention approach, and finally by sending documentation and/or setting up regulatory monitoring. In terms of tools, 54% request financial aid, 46% request communication kits by profession and finally 30% request operating procedures for their sites.

Verbatims

For Jean-Christophe REPON, President of CAPEB: “Construction VSEs do not have internal resources dedicated to health and safety issues. It is therefore essential to know their needs in order to then provide them with the information and tools they expect. This is the whole role of the IRIS-ST and the whole objective that CAPEB had when it created this tool. The study carried out today in partnership with the OPPBTP confirms that managers of small-scale construction companies – who share professional risks with their employees on their sites and in their workshops – are aware and involved in prevention and in seeking mainly technical support. And, with IRIS-ST, the health and safety expert by CAPEB & CNATP, this is what we bring to them and will continue to bring them. »

For Françoise DESPRET, President of the CNATP: “Managers of craft businesses, working daily alongside their companions on construction sites, are aware, sensitive and vigilant in the prevention of professional risks and systematically integrate them into the operation of the business. If we do not have specialized occupational health services in our companies, we can rely on IRIS-ST to develop and create solutions adapted to our VSEs in order to reduce the risk of accidents, improve conditions of work and facilitate access to the prevention of professional risks for artisanal construction and landscaping companies. »

For David MORALES, Treasurer of IRIS-ST: “This study confirms to us that craft businesses are aware of the risks present in their activity. The company manager has a close relationship with his employees. He is present with them on a daily basis on construction sites. This proximity and this involvement in the field explain, among other things, the implementation of prevention actions having a direct impact on working conditions on site and/or in the workshop. A large number of tools already exist with each of the partners, the objective is therefore to improve their promotions by taking into account the needs mentioned and thus allow the business manager to save time on certain administrative aspects of the prevention. Iris-st will continue its work to adapt information to craft businesses while maintaining this business approach desired by craft businesses. »

For Paul DUPHIL, Secretary General of the OPPBTP: “At the OPPBTP, we share the results of this study, the desire to go further in prevention. Aware of the distance that remains to be made, through our strategic plan @Horizon 2025, we are strengthening our support in the field, by concretely helping companies and more particularly VSEs to identify the risks of their professions by offering them practical solutions , easy to set up. To complete this support and help all companies, we provide daily information and advice to our site Stratégiebtp.fr and our “Check Chantier” application. Also, our EnDirect service allows us to answer VSE prevention questions. Finally, as the study underlines, because prevention is often understood as a restrictive and regulatory subject, we want to change the way we look at it by considering it, no longer as a cost, but as an opportunity to gain in economic performance. »

Detailed study results available here.