RI&E

The Risk Inventory & Evaluation (RI&E) is mandatory for every organization (except for self-employed persons) to promote the health and safety of employees and reduce financial risks. An RI&E provides insight into the working conditions and safety in the workplace within your organization. We have a unique perspective on risks and safety in organizations and provide support in the implementation and/or assessment of the RI&E, as well as guidance in drawing up and implementing the action plan.

How does PDG Health Services support the RI&E?

PDG Health Services specializes in supporting companies in the field of occupational health and safety. Our role in the RI&E process is crucial in ensuring that organizations comply with legal requirements and create a safe working environment for their employees.

Content of the RI&E

Drawing up an RI&E is a customized process and requires thorough knowledge of both health and safety legislation and the specific needs of the organization. PDG Health Services combines this knowledge with the Health and Safety Catalog, the applicable collective labor agreement, and our own expertise to develop an RI&E that seamlessly matches the customer's situation.

Expertise of PDG Health Services

Our team consists of certified occupational health and safety experts with a broad background in various disciplines such as safety engineering, occupational hygiene, and occupational and organizational science. This multidisciplinary approach enables us to offer a holistic approach to occupational safety and health and to deliver tailor-made solutions for our clients.

Methodology for Risk Assessment

PDG Health Services uses a methodology that focuses on thorough and systematic risk assessment. This methodology helps to identify and evaluate all relevant risks based on their impact and likelihood. This enables us to make effective and targeted recommendations for preventive measures.

This methodology was developed in collaboration with various experts in the field of occupational safety, health, and legislation and regulations. This enables us to offer a structured and scientifically based approach to identifying and assessing risks.

Testing and obligation of your RI&E

The RI&E is mandatory and, depending on the size of your organization, must be assessed by a core expert. This is a crucial step in ensuring the quality and completeness of your risk assessment.

Who assesses the RI&E? The assessment must be carried out by a certified core expert (safety expert, occupational hygienist, or company doctor). This is only not mandatory if your company has fewer than 25 employees and you use an instrument recognized by the industry.

After the assessment, an action plan is drawn up, which forms the basis for improving safety.

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The RI&E has been carried out; now what?!

Now the real work begins! By implementing the RI&E, you have gathered a lot of important and relevant information and drawn up an action plan. The next step is to take action. In the action plan, you have specified who will do what and within what timeframe. If necessary, De Arbodienst will also be happy to help you with the next steps. However, the RI&E is not a one-off investigation, but a living document that must be kept up to date.

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Keeping the RI&E up to date

The Risk Inventory & Evaluation is a living document; this means that any change in the way an organization is structured, processes or workplaces are designed, or a change in the materials used, will result in a change in the risk profiles that must be reflected in the risk inventory. It is, of course, recommended that every change be assessed for risks and hazards before it is implemented. This allows the RI&E to be adjusted accordingly. It is the primary responsibility of the prevention officer to keep the RI&E up to date.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, the Risk Inventory and Evaluation (RI&E) is a legal obligation for virtually every employer with staff in service, as laid down in the Working Conditions Act (Occupational Health and Safety Act).

In principle, this applies from 1 FTE, including interns, volunteers, or temporary workers. The only exception applies to self-employed persons without personnel (zzp'ers).

The employer is ultimately responsible for drawing up, implementing, and keeping the RI&E up to date.

The employer may use the RI&E:

  1. Prepare it yourself (often with the help of an industry tool).
  2. Have it drawn up by an external occupational health and safety service or certified occupational health and safety expert.

In all cases, the RI&E must be drawn up in collaboration with, or by, the company's prevention officer. The works council (OR) or employee representative body (PVT) also has the right of approval with regard to the RI&E.

The Working Conditions Act does not specify a fixed period of validity (e.g., every 3 or 5 years) for conducting an RI&E. The Act stipulates that the RI&E and the accompanying Action Plan must always be up to date.

  • A new RI&E or a thorough review is necessary if:
  • The work or production methods are changing.
  • The number of employees is changing significantly.
  • The company is relocating.
  • New risks arise.

As long as there are no major changes, you must continue to evaluate the RI&E in the interim and adjust it if necessary.

In most cases, yes. The RI&E, including the Action Plan, must be assessed for completeness and reliability by a certified core expert (such as an occupational hygienist or occupational health and safety service).

There are two important exceptions where assessment is not mandatory:

  1. Companies with up to 25 employees that use a recognized industry-specific RI&E tool.
  2. Organizations where the total number of hours of paid work does not exceed 40 hours per week.

The Dutch Labor Inspectorate (formerly Inspectorate SZW) checks whether employers have a valid and up-to-date RI&E and Action Plan.

If you do not have an RI&E, or if it is seriously incomplete or outdated, you risk an administrative fine from the Labor Inspectorate. These fines can be as high as โ‚ฌ4,500.

The difference between an RI&E and an action plan lies in their function:

  • The RI&E is the diagnostic phase. It is the written inventory and evaluation of all health and safety risks within your company. Here, the risks are identified and their severity is determined.
  • The Action Plan (PvA) is the therapy phase. This is a mandatory part of the RI&E and describes the measures that must be taken to control or eliminate the risks identified in the RI&E. It specifies what will be done, when it must be completed, and who will implement the measures (the action holder).