3. Occupational Safety Regulatory Standards (NRs)

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The Regulatory Standards, also known as NRs, are guidelines that aim to ensure the safety and health of workers in the work environment. They are established by the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) and are mandatory for all companies. In this text, we will discuss three important NRs: NR 4, NR 5 and NR 6.

NR 4 - Specialized Services in Safety Engineering and Occupational Medicine (SESMT)

NR 4 establishes the obligation of all public and private companies, with the exception of micro and small companies, to maintain a Specialized Service in Safety Engineering and Occupational Medicine (SESMT). The SESMT is made up of a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including occupational safety engineers, occupational physicians, occupational nurses, occupational nursing assistants and occupational safety technicians. The number of professionals required varies according to the risk level of the company's main activity and the number of employees.

The SESMT aims to promote health and protect the integrity of workers in the workplace. For this, he must act in the prevention of accidents at work and occupational diseases, through the implementation of risk control measures, the promotion of prevention programs and the carrying out of occupational medical examinations.

NR 5 - Internal Commission for Accident Prevention (CIPA)

NR 5 establishes the obligation of all companies, regardless of size or degree of risk, to set up and maintain an Internal Commission for Accident Prevention (CIPA). The CIPA is composed of representatives of the employer and employees, and the presidency is always occupied by a representative of the employer.

The objective of CIPA is to prevent accidents and illnesses resulting from work, with a view to preserving life and promoting workers' health. To do so, it must identify the risks in the work process, draw up a risk map, carry out prevention campaigns, promote the Internal Occupational Accident Prevention Week (SIPAT), among other activities.

NR 6 - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

NR 6 establishes the obligation to supply free Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to workers whenever collective control measures are not sufficient to eliminate or reduce risks to acceptable levels. PPE is any device or product, for individual use, used by the worker, intended to protect against risks capable of threatening their safety and health.

The employer is responsible for selecting the PPE appropriate to the risk, acquiring the PPE approved by the competent national body, providing the worker with PPE in perfect condition and functioning, guiding and training the worker on the correct use of the PPE, and requiring its use. The worker, in turn, is responsible for using the PPE only for the purpose for which it is intended, being responsible for the safekeeping and conservation of the PPE, and communicating to the employer any change that makes the PPE unfit for use.

These are just some of the Regulatory Norms that govern work safety in Brazil. They are essential to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for all workers, and compliance with them is everyone's responsibility: employers, workers and occupational safety professionals.

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43.1. Occupational Safety Regulatory Norms (NRs): NR 1 - General Provisions