Company visits and policy advice given a facelift: What can you expect?

Wouter Swevers: “The primary purpose of the company visit is to help structure the prevention policy at smaller organisations. It makes the specific hazards and risks transparent and helps provide direction by defining priority actions.

For the employer, it’s a reminder or a refresher of all of their tasks and obligations regarding Well-being at Work. At the same time, the company visitor may also point out issues that you as an employer are not always aware of. The outcome of such a visit is concrete advice and tools to help structure the prevention policy.

It is also an important contact moment with the external service provider. There is time for questions, and domains where support may be needed from the external service provider can be explored, if necessary.”
 

Wouter Swevers: “Before the new Royal Decree came into force, FPS Employment, Labour and Social Dialogue (FOD WASO) and the external service provider were not always on the same page when it came to the interpretation of the company visits and their results, the policy advice. This has now been formulated unambiguously.

The changes relate to the type of company visits (exploratory company visits, periodic company visits and visits to the head office), the prior information and the content of the policy advice.

Within two months of joining, a new client must be provided with the information they need to work on well-being in the workplace. After the first visit – the exploratory company visit – the employer, is given five, high-priority work points. These form the core of the policy advice, which Mensura clients can always consult in MyMensura, our digital customer environment. There they can also access an overview of all the activities that have been carried out.”
 

Wouter Swevers: “That depends on the category of business you belong to. Category A/B/C+ companies will notice that their risk analysis is now much more important. It forms the basis of health monitoring for the employees. For category C-/D companies, there will be greater focus and structure. After a company visit, you as an employer are confronted with a lot of information. The new style of company visit will help you see the forest for the trees.

You will gain a clear view of the hazards and risks within your company and of the extent to which sufficient action has already been taken. The five priorities indicate what you need to do first to provide a better working environment. In other words, they form the basis for the prevention policy in the coming years. Based on the identified hazards and risks, it is also possible to correctly organise medical supervision.

At the same time, you will be informed about what needs to be done to be fully compliant with the Well-being at Work legislation so that, in the event of an incident, you can prove that the necessary steps have been taken.

Last but not least, the changeover will not happen overnight; it will evolve naturally over the next few years.”
 

Wouter Swevers: “First and foremost, they are the partner you can contact between visits if you have any questions. We are also well placed to assist in addressing the five priorities. We can help draw up risk analyses, carry out specific measurements, provide psychosocial assistance, formulate advice etc.”

Wouter Swevers: “My most important tip is to allow time for the company visit and to give it your full attention. It is so fundamental to the prevention policy that it cannot be done with one eye on the clock. Also important: As an employer, you are responsible for the prevention policy – even if you have an internal prevention advisor – so it is best to be present during the tour. Moreover, good preparation is not possible without paperwork. So make sure that the list of employees, the list of locations, the inspection and check certifications etc. are at hand. That way the visit will be efficient and smooth.”