Ensuring the safety and protecting the health of employees is no longer an option in Switzerland: the CFST 6508 directive and the MSST system now impose a demanding framework all companies, from micro-structures to high-risk industrial sites.
This page brings together everything you need to know to understand your obligations, assess your risks and implement asustainable prevention approach. You’ll discover how an overarching OHS management concept, combined with a structured audit and action plan, ensures legal compliance while improving your organisation’s performance.
Whether you’re looking for an initial overview or solutions specific to Romandie, this guide will point you in the direction of the essential resources, tools and skills. Take the first step towards a proactive safety culture and benefit from expert support to transform regulatory obligations into genuinelevers for responsible, long-term and sustainable growth.
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What is Health and Safety at Work?
Definition and issues for Swiss companies
Occupational safety and health encompasses all the elements designed to protect employees against accidents, occupational illnesses and psychosocial risks. In Switzerland, the CFST 6508 directive requires every employer to set up a structured prevention system tailored to the size of the company and the hazards involved.
Beyond the legal framework, an effective OHS policy reduces absenteeism, improves productivity and enhances the organisation’s reputation with partners, customers and insurers.
To find out who does what and prepare your inspections, consult our 2025 guide to occupational safety players in Switzerland (Suva, SECO, CFST/EKAS, cantonal inspectorates).
Difference between safety at work and health protection
Safety at work focuses on preventing accidents and controlling immediate physical hazards immediate hazards, while health protection also encompasses factors that can affect physical or psychological well-being over the long term, such as stress, musculoskeletal disorders or exposure to chemical agents.
The two components are inseparable: without a safe environment, well-being cannot be sustainable, and without consideration for overall health, accident prevention remains incomplete.
Human and economic impact of work-related accidents
Every year, Swiss companies deplore several hundred thousand work-related accidents, some of which cause serious injury or permanent disability. These events result in high direct costs for insurance companies and even higher indirect costs for employers: loss of productivity, disorganisation of teams, recruitment or training of temporary staff and damage to employee motivation.
On a human level, the consequences are measured in suffering, physical sequelae and family drama, reminding us of the importance of proactive and systematic prevention.
Safetyfirst in figures
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Taux de réussite des participants aux formations.
Évaluation moyenne attribuée par les participants.
Sociétés formées à la sécurité et santé au travail.
Formateurs certifiés, prêts à dispenser des formations.
Taux de réussite des participants aux formations.
Évaluation moyenne attribuée par les participants.
Sociétés formées à la sécurité et santé au travail.
Legal obligations in Switzerland: CFST Directive 6508 and Regulatory Framework
In Switzerland, all employers have legal obligations regarding the health and safety at work of their employees.
The CFST 6508 directive in detail
Edicated by the Commissionérale de coordination pour la sécurité au travail, directive 6508 requires employers to set up a health and safety management system proportionate to the hazards present. It defines ten key elements: risk assessment, emergency organisation, training, monitoring of measures, documentation, regular reviews, etc. Every company must demonstrate that it has these elements under control, either through a recognised industry MSST solution or through an individual solution tailored to its specific risks.
Ordonnance sur la prévention des accidents (OPA)
Supplementing the Labour Act, the OPA specifies the technical and organisational requirements designed to prevent accidents and occupational illnesses. Article 11a OPA refers directly to the CFST 6508 directive: it obliges employers to call in safety specialists when the protection of workers cannot be guaranteed by their own means.
When is your company affected?
This applies to:
- All companies with ten or more employees exposed to particular hazards.
- Companies without particular hazards employing fifty or more people.
- Smaller structures which, after analysis, nevertheless present specific risks (chemicals, height, complex machinery).
Table of obligations by size and specific hazards
Size of company | Special hazards | MSST obligation | Timeframe for compliance | |
1 – 9 employees | No | 12 months after creation | ||
1 – 9 employees | Yes | External specialist, individual solutionCalling in an external specialist, individual solution | Immediate | |
10 – 49 employees | No | Simplified branch solution or simplified audit | 12 months | 10 – 49 employees | Yes | Industry solution or specialist audit | 6 months |
.p>≥ 50 employees | No | Branch solution or simplified audit | 12 months | |
≥ 50 employees | Yes | Complete audit, individualised MSST concept | Immediate |
Sanctions and consequences of non-compliance
In the event of non-compliance, the cantonal labour inspectorate may issue a warning, require the implementation of measures within a set period or order the suspension of dangerous activities. Accidents that occur without an appropriate MSST system result in additional insurance costs, administrative fines and, in the case of serious misconduct, criminal proceedings against the employer. In addition to the financial impact, the company’s reputation can be permanently damaged and employee confidence compromised.
The MSST System: Structure and Implementation
The MSST system (Calling in Occupational Doctors and Other Occupational Safety Specialists) in accordance with CFST Directive 6508 is based on ten complementary elements, broken down via inter-company or individual solutions, to guarantee effective prevention and continuous improvement of health and safety in the workplace.
The 10 elements of the MSST system defined by the CFST 6508 directive form the foundation of your safety organisation: safety policy, organisation, training, information, planning, implementation, control, continuous improvement, documentation and worker participation.
> Discover in detail each MSST element and the specific implementation requirements →
The 10 elements of the MSST system
- Guiding principles and safety objectives
- Safety organisation
- Training, instruction and information
- Safety rules
- Hazard identification and risk assessment
- Measures to be taken and their implementation
- Rescue organisation
- Documentation and reporting
- Review and continuous improvement
- li>Worker participation
These ten components form the “backbone” of the MSST, having to be planned, recorded and regularly reassessed.
MSST solutions available
To satisfy the call for specialists, two main families of implementation are proposed:
- Inter-company solutions
– Solution by branch: sector manual, checklists, training and exchange forum.
– Solution by group of companies: sharing of best practice and resources for multi-site companies.
– Standard solution: “turnkey” package by consultancy firm, incorporating process, training and monitoring. - Individual solution
– Tailor-made design of the MSST system, adapted to the company’s specific features and risks.
– Need to call on external specialists on an ad hoc or ongoing basis for each element of the MSST.
Benefits of a well-structured MSST system
- Proactive prevention of occupational incidents and illnesses
- Regulatory consistency ensuring CFST 6508 and OPA compliance
- Measurable reduction in absenteeism, insurance costs and SUVA premiums
- Increased employee commitment through participation and training
- Continuous improvement through periodic reviews and performance indicators
A comprehensive MSST system, whether inter-company or individual, thus promotes business continuity, operational efficiency and optimum protection of health and safety at work.
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Audit and Assessment of Occupational Risks
Importance of the initial occupational safety audit
The initial occupational safety audit is the first essential step for any company wishing to control its occupational risks. It provides an accurate picture of the current situation: identification of weak points, mapping of specific hazards (chemicals, height, machinery), and verification of compliance with CFST 6508 requirements. A rigorous audit promotes proactive prevention, significantly reduces the number of accidents and serves as the basis for drawing up a tailor-made OHS action plan.
Methodology for analysing specific hazards
The methodology is based on a three-phase approach:
- Field survey: on-site visits to observe workstations, practices and equipment, interviews with employees and safety managers.
- Quantitative and qualitative assessment: use of risk rating grids (severity × frequency), documentary analysis (safety sheets, incident registers) and benchmarking of best practices in the industry (industry vs. individual MSST solution).
- Prioritisation and action plan: classification of hazards by criticality, definition of corrective actions (technical, organisational, training), budget estimate and implementation schedule.
Audit frequency and follow-up
To ensure the ongoing effectiveness of the OHS system, the initial audit must be regularly supplemented:
- Short-term follow-up (6-12 months): verification of the progress of corrective measures and rapid adjustments.
- Complete audit (every 3 years): recasting of hazard mapping, overall reassessment of CFST 6508 compliance and incorporation of regulatory developments.
- Spot checks: after any incident or major change (new process, acquisition of high-risk equipment), to react immediately and maintain the prevention chain.
These best practices in auditing and structured evaluation ensure a robust OHS approach, while directing users to our page dedicated to MSST workplace safety audit to benefit from expert, personalised support.
Developing a Global Safety Concept
What is an occupational safety concept?
A occupational safety concept is a structured system that defines the principles, responsibilities and procedures designed to prevent occupational risks. It is based on an analysis of hazards, the identification of critical workflows and the implementation of technical, organisational and formative measures. This concept serves as a reference for all prevention actions, guaranteeing a coherent approach that complies with directive CFST 6508.
Integration into the corporate culture
Integrating safety into everyday life involves making prevention a value shared by all employees. This involves:
- The appointment of internal referents trained in good OHS practices
- awareness-raising sessions./strong> to maintain focus on the issues
- The involvement of management via measurable objectives and an OSH dashboard
- Systematic feedback after any incident or exercise
This approach encourages collective ownership, reduces resistance to change and strengthens everyone’s commitment. 
Action plan and continuous improvement
The MSST action plan is broken down into several stages:
- Drawing up a timetable for implementing corrective measures (technical, training, organisational)
- Implementing key indicators (accident rates, compliance indicators, training follow-up)
- management review meetings and quarterly OSH committees to assess progress
- Intermediate reviews./strong> every 6 to 12 months to adjust priorities
- Updating the concept according to field feedback, regulatory developments and new technologies
This PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle ensures continuous improvement, transforming your safety concept into a real driver of performance and compliance.
Key players in workplace safety
SUVA: Prevention and insurance
SUVA combines accident insurance, prevention and control for industry, crafts and construction. It finances training, draws up sectoral directives and can penalise non-compliant companies.
SECO: Federal supervision
SECO supervises the application of the LTr and the OPA in the tertiary sectors (offices, commerce, services), coordinating the action of the cantonal inspectorates.
Cantonal inspectorates: local inspections
Each canton has inspectors who carry out MSST inspections on site, with approaches varying from region to region (support in Vaud, firmness in Geneva).
CFST: Strategic coordination
The Federal Commission draws up directives (including 6508), validates industry solutions and arbitrates between organisations.
MSST by canton: Local specificities
MSST compliance in Geneva
In the canton of Geneva, any company exposed to particular hazards or with ten or more employees must comply with CFST Directive 6508 via the MSST system. Employers are required to appoint a safety officer (formation PERCO) and call on MSST specialists (occupational physicians, hygienists, engineers) to:
- Develop and document the safety charter and the OSH objectives
- .li>Implement a suitable safety organisation
- Conduct a risk assessment./strong> and an initial audit
- Formalise an action plan and regular monitoring
The Geneva labour inspectorate may require an additional audit and impose penalties if deadlines are not met.
MSST support in the canton of Vaud
The canton of Vaud offers tools and advice on MSST compliance via the Directorate-General for Employment and the Labour Market. The Vaud companies concerned benefit from:
- Models of branch solutions (eg: watchmaking branch, industry)
- Individual solutions for SMEs with specific risks
- Technical guides on the OPA ordinance and the LAA law
- Access to SUVA subsidies to finance audits and training
MSST service providers registered with the State of Vaud provide support from the determination of hazards right through to the integration of an effective and sustainable SST system.
Solutions tailored for French-speaking Switzerland
There are two main ways of implementing MSST throughout French-speaking Switzerland:
- Solutions by branch: sectoral models validated by the CFST, offering an OHS manual, checklists and collective training courses.
- Individual solutions: tailor-made MSST systems for companies whose risks are not covered by a branch or require a personalised approach.
Companies choose the most effective option depending on their size, sector and the criticality of the hazards. The certified providers in French-speaking Switzerland guarantee rapid integration of the ten elements of the MSST system and ongoing accompaniment for the continuous improvement of occupational safety and health.
Are you looking to understand how to apply your MSST obligations in practice? Discover our practical step-by-step guide to setting up an MSST, with downloadable examples, templates and checklists.
FAQ on the MSST system
A MSST audit is a one-off, precise assessment of risks and compliance with CFST Directive 6508. It identifies hazards, checks the effectiveness of the measures in place and provides a quantified report with a short-term action plan.
The MSST concept, on the other hand, is a overarching, long-term company health and safety management system, structured around the ten elements of the directive (charter, organisation, training, risk assessment, etc.). It defines the policy, responsibilities, processes and regular reviews to ensure continuous improvement.
Yes, if you expose your employees to particular hazards (chemicals, machines, heights, biological agents, etc.), even with fewer than ten employees, you must call in an MSST specialist and comply with CFST Directive 6508. If there are no particular hazards and you have fewer than ten employees, all you need to do is apply simplified internal prevention measures within 12 months.
The cost varies depending on the size, level of risk and support method chosen:
- Initial audit: CHF 1,500-2,000 per day, variable depending on the consultant.
- Global MSST concept: fixed price of CHF 3,000-6,000 for a typical system, including training and documentation.
- Sectoral solutions: CHF 200-800 per company for sectoral models.
- SUVA subsidies: up to 50% of the cost of audits and training for certain sectors.
Yes. outsourcing involves entrusting all or part of the OHS function to an external service provider (PERCO contact person or specialist organisation). This guarantees:
- Ongoing expertise and regulatory compliance
- Flexibility (flexible packages depending on workload)
- Neutrality and ongoing updating
- Reduction in internal administrative workload
- Branch solution: suitable if your sector has an approved MSST model (watchmaking, chemicals, construction, etc.). It offers an OHS manual, checklists and standardised training at a lower cost.
- Individual solution: necessary if your risks are not covered by a branch or if you have specific needs. It is more expensive but 100% customised (analyses, procedures, personalised training).
