What is an RI&E?
When you are an employer, you are obligated to make a risk inventory and evaluation (RI&E). This is a mandatory evaluation of the risks in the workplace for your staff. You identify the risks and make an action plan. The action plan outlines what you will do to provide safe and healthy working conditions for your staff. If you have no RI&E, the Netherlands Labour Authority (Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie, NLA) can give you a fine.
Drawing up an RI&E
You can draw up an RI&E yourself or use a tool for RI&E (in Dutch) from Steunpunt RI&E. The RI&E must be drafted together with or by a health and safety officer.
Identify the risks in your company
You conduct research on the risks in your company. For instance, physical risks such as lifting, vibrations that can cause hearing damage, and too much screen work. And risks of work- related stress due to irregular working hours. Or safety risks, for example if heat or radiation is released during work activities.
Decide which risks are the most serious
When you know the risks, you can assess them. Think about how many employees are at risk. What are the consequences? And how often does the risk occur? You make a list of the risks and compare them. Then you put them in the right order, from most important risk to least important risk. This forms the basis of your action plan.
Route to RI&E
The online application Route to RI&E (‘Route naar RI&E’, in Dutch) gives you options for drawing up an RI&E for your business. Answer a few questions and discover which routes you can take. You can click through to get started instantly.
Draft an action plan
An action plan is a mandatory part of the RI&E. In your action plan, identify what measures you will take to manage the risks. Who does what, and when?
Assessing your RI&E
In most cases, you must let a certified occupational health and safety service or occupational health officer (in Dutch) assess your RI&E (including your action plan). This depends on the size of your business. Check if you are required to have your RI&E assessed (in Dutch).
Discuss the RI&E in your business
Your works council (ondernemingsraad, OR) or the staff representation (personeelsvertegenwoordiging, PVT) must be consulted on decisions about working conditions. This is called the right of consent. Make sure your staff knows that there is an RI&E.
Review the RI&E and adjust it regularly
You have to review your RI&E regularly and adjust it if needed. Are you changing work processes or workplaces? Then this can influence the RI&E and the action plan. Working conditions can change, too. And sometimes new risks develop. An example of this was the coronavirus.
