The 9 general principles of prevention: the foundation of sustainable safety in the construction industry

On our construction sites, safety isn't an option; it's an obligation. And at the heart of this obligation are the nine general principles of prevention (GPP). Too often perceived as an abstract list, they actually constitute the foundation of an effective and sustainable prevention approach.

Respecting them is not only a matter of regulatory compliance, it is an essential condition for guaranteeing the physical integrity of everyone and avoiding heavy civil and criminal penalties for the company.

These principles, anchored in our legislation, are a logical and pragmatic roadmap for identifying hazards and implementing appropriate protective measures. As construction professionals, we encounter them every day, sometimes without even thinking about it. However, recent observations, made possible by Cad42's artificial intelligence and computer vision, remind us that their application is not always optimal.

Take the example of laying pre-slabs. We have detected situations where safety harnesses were used inappropriately, even though the OPPBTP clearly recommends the installation of guardrails when moving forward to make this task safer. In another case, a site manager, with the best intentions in the world, recommended the use of reversing beeps on machinery, even though analysis of pedestrian and machinery flows revealed constant crossing, making this measure insufficient in the face of the risk of collision. More recently, our tools have highlighted issues of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) linked to the manual carrying of heavy loads, even though mechanization solutions exist and should be favored.

These very real situations, observed on the ground, are not examples of bad faith. Rather, they highlight the complexity of implementing general prevention principles and the need for tools to help us see things more clearly. AI and computer vision offer us this clarity by objectifying practices and identifying areas where improvements are needed.

It is therefore crucial to remember these 9 principles, which guide our daily actions:

Avoid risks: Remove the danger or source of danger.
Assess risks that cannot be avoided: Analyze the nature and magnitude of remaining risks.
Combat risks at the source: Integrate prevention from the design of projects and working methods.
Adapting work to people: Designing workstations and choosing equipment while taking into account human capabilities and limitations.
Take into account the state of technical development: Integrate technological advances to improve security.
Replace what is dangerous with what is not dangerous or with what is less dangerous: Choose less risky products and processes.
Planning prevention: Integrating safety into work organization and site planning.
Take collective protection measures as a priority over individual protection measures: Favor solutions that protect all workers.
Provide appropriate instructions to workers: Inform and train on risks and preventive measures.

These principles are not mere recommendations; they constitute a regulatory framework that every construction industry player must adhere to. Failure to comply with these obligations can lead to significant legal consequences, ranging from financial penalties to criminal prosecution in the event of an accident.

The contribution of AI and computer vision at Cad42 isn't to point out shortcomings, but rather to offer us valuable assistance in better applying these principles in the field. By detecting risky situations and analyzing practices, these technologies allow us to identify areas for improvement and strengthen our culture of prevention, in a constructive and caring spirit. Because ultimately, the goal is the same for all of us: safer construction sites for everyone.

Opinion piece by Igor CANONNE, HSE 4.0 Solution Manager, CAD.42 ( LinkedIn ).