Introduction
In this article, you will discover how preventive measures, structured around the 9 principles defined by the Labor Code, make it possible to anticipate and limit occupational risks. We will also discuss the integration of exoskeletons as a complementary tool in a global prevention approach, by questioning their compatibility with these essential principles.
Geoffroy Hannoteau, ergonomist and occupational psychologist, and Stéphanie Tomme, ergonomist and occupational health nurse, are combining their complementary expertise to decipher this subject.
What is workplace prevention?
Public health prevention is based on three levels of intervention: Primary prevention, which consists in acting on risks beforehand; Secondary prevention, which consists in acting as soon as the first “symptoms” appear to prevent them from getting worse. We then follow the mantra: “detect, limit, improve”;
Tertiary prevention, which consists in reducing the consequences of diseases, by working on maintaining employment, for example.These 3 levels of intervention are also found in occupational health prevention approaches to promote a healthy and safe work environment.Occupational prevention therefore includes all measures intended to anticipate and limit occupational risks.Its objective is to secure the work environment in order to eliminate or at least limit exposure to Hazards: by adapting the positions of work; By improving work organization.
In France, employers have a legal obligation to protect their employees, in particular by implementing preventive actions adapted to the risks of their sector of activity in order to reduce the impact of physical and mental tasks and therefore the risk of MSDs (Musculoskeletal Disorders). To do this, they have at their disposal very effective working methods, in particular the 9 principles of prevention, which we will detail below.
The 9 principles of prevention
To structure the prevention approach, there are 9 general principles defined by the Labor Code (Article L4121-2). These principles are a common thread for all prevention and safety initiatives in companies:
- Avoid risks, try to eliminate exposure to risks rather than seek to compensate
- Evaluate risks that cannot be avoided and analyze their severity
- Combating risks at the source: acting directly on the origin of the danger
- Adapting work to humans by taking into account their physical and mental capacities in the organization of work
- Take into account technical developments by integrating innovations to improve safety and ergonomics
- Replace what is dangerous with what is less dangerous
- Plan prevention by integrating it from the design of the process or equipment
- Prioritize collective prevention measures
- Train and inform workers, raise awareness and train in the best practices of preventive measures
Applying these principles makes it possible to build an effective and sustainable culture of prevention in companies as well as a structured approach to the management of occupational risks. This will benefit both the workers (Quality of Life at Work) and the company through its performance.
And the exoskeleton in all of this?
Exoskeletons now appear as a solution to reduce the arduousness of work by providing assistance in movements and by reducing the stresses on the body. They can thus limit Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) and improve users' well-being at work.
But the real question is, are exoskeletons compatible with the 9 principles of prevention?
INRS considers exoskeletons to be a potential aid in reducing arduous work. So yes, exoskeletons can be considered within the framework of principle 5 of prevention. But they should always be secondary to the application of all the general principles of prevention.
A global ergonomic approach is therefore essential to guarantee sustainable and effective prevention of occupational risks in order to integrate the exoskeleton as an additional aid to improve the quality of life at work for employees.
In conclusion
By integrating exoskeletons into a global prevention approach, we do not seek to mitigate all risks, but to offer targeted assistance that is part of the rigorous application of the 9 principles of prevention. The exoskeleton appears to be a complementary tool: it makes it possible to reduce hardship and improve job retention, while stressing the importance of a global ergonomic approach.
To be truly effective, the exoskeleton must be part of a well-thought-out strategy that combines workplace adaptation, optimized organization and team training. This is how they can help you achieve a lasting improvement in the quality of life at work.
