What exactly is a prevention plan ?
The prevention plan is a document that complements the Single Risk Assessment Document (DUERP). Its goal is to strengthen the prevention of risks associated with the work of external companies, as noted by theINRS. It does not replace the DUERP (each employer remains responsible for assessing their own risks) but covers a specific blind spot: the risks of interference between the activities of the host company and those of the external company.
These so-called "imported" risks (brought to the site by the external company) and "exported" risks (generated by the host company's activity toward the contractors) cannot be managed by either company alone—hence the requirement for formalized coordination.
When is a prevention plan mandatory ?
This is the point that causes the most confusion. However, the INRS is clear: the obligation to create a prevention plan depends solely on the existence of risks resulting from coactivity, and under no circumstances on the duration of the operation or the type of work performed. In practice, even a consulting engagement or a one-day project can trigger the obligation, provided there is a risk of interference.
However, the written form of the prevention plan becomes mandatory in two specific cases, as provided for by Article R.4512-7 of the Labor Code:
- When the operation represents at least 400 hours of work over a period of 12 months or less (continuous or intermittent). This threshold is calculated by aggregating all external companies and subcontractors working on the same operation.
- When the work is included on the list of hazardous tasks defined by the decree of March 19, 1993, regardless of its duration
Outside of these two cases, a verbal prevention plan remains legally permissible. However, in practice, the INRS recommends that it be systematically drawn up in writing, even for short operations, whenever there is any doubt regarding the extent of the risk of interference.
What the document must contain
There is no mandatory standard template, but the Labor Code sets out minimum content requirements in Article R.4512-8. The prevention plan must at a minimum include:
- Prevention measures for hazardous phases of activity
- Conditions for the use and maintenance of the equipment, installations, and devices used
- Organization and description of first aid and the measures to be taken in the event of an emergency
- Command structure and the conditions for worker participation in the work
Who writes the prevention plan, and with whom ?
The prevention plan is co-authored, a point that is often overlooked. It is initiated by the host company, which welcomes the contractors, and then drafted jointly with the external company or companies following a prior joint site inspection. The head of the host company then ensures the general coordination of the prevention measures taken by all participating companies, a duty that requires their physical presence during coordination operations. This task cannot be delegated solely to the contractors.
One specific duty is worth noting: the head of the host company must alert the head of the relevant external company as soon as they are informed of a serious danger threatening a worker from that company, even if they believe the cause of the danger is exclusively the fault of the latter.
Who needs access to the document ?
When a written prevention plan is mandatory, the Labor Code requires it to be available to several parties for the entire duration of the work, as specified by the INRS: the labor inspectorate, the occupational physician of the host company and those of the external companies involved, the Social and Economic Committee (CSE) of each company, and the OPPBTP where applicable. The manager of the host company must also notify the labor inspectorate in writing when work begins.
Prevention plan, PPSPS, Single Document : don't get them mixed up
Three documents are frequently confused, even though they address different situations:
- The Single Document (Document Unique) formalizes the risk assessment specific to each employer for their own activities
- The prevention plan covers the risks of interference between a host company and one or more external companies
- The PPSPS (Specific Health and Safety Protection Plan) specifically concerns building and civil engineering sites subject to SPS coordination requirements—it does not replace the prevention plan outside of this specific framework
How does QHSE software simplify prevention plan management ?
Between calculating the 400-hour threshold accumulated across multiple contracts, tracking joint preliminary inspections, and making the document available for labor inspections, managing prevention plans via paper or Excel quickly becomes unmanageable as the number of external companies grows. The Symalean safety software centralizes joint drafting, tracks regulatory thresholds, and provides documents to every stakeholder, with full traceability in the event of an audit.
Frequently asked questions about prevention plans
Is a prevention plan mandatory even for a one-day job ?
Yes, if there is a risk of interference. The INRS specifies that the duration of the operation is not the deciding factor: only the existence of a risk of co-activity matters. Only the requirement for a written document depends on a duration threshold or the type of work.
How is the 400-hour threshold calculated ?
It is the cumulative total of working hours for all external companies and subcontractors involved in the same operation, whether the work is continuous or intermittent. If the threshold is reached during the project, the written requirement applies immediately.
Who writes the prevention plan ?
It is co-written by the host company and the external company or companies, following a joint site inspection: it is never a unilateral document.
Does the prevention plan replace the Single Risk Assessment Document ?
No. The Single Risk Assessment Document covers risks specific to each employer, while the prevention plan specifically covers the risks of interference between companies.
