Introduction: why a practical MSST guide in 2025?
MSST (occupational physicians and occupational safety specialists) is no longer simply a “compliance file”: it is an operational method for reducing accidents, managing risks and securing business operations. In 2025, Swiss SMEs are expected to focus on three areas: assessing their hazards, implementing proportionate measures and demonstrating that their system is under control.
This guide gets straight to the point: a clear method, practical examples and templates for building an MSST system that works, without creating an administrative maze.
This guide is part of our comprehensive resource on occupational health and safety in Switzerland.
The legal and operational context in Switzerland
- Employer’s duty to achieve results: protect employees’ health and safety, including through a structured system (organisation, roles, evidence and monitoring).
- Principle of proportionality: the level of requirements depends on your actual risks (activities, processes, machinery, products, work at height, electricity, psychosocial risks and musculoskeletal disorders) and your company’s size.
- Enforcement bodies: depending on your business activity, you may be inspected by Suva (sectors and operations involving particular hazards) or by the cantonal labour inspectorate (services, administration, healthcare, education, etc.). SECO coordinates and harmonises enforcement; CFST/EKAS issues directives and provides tools.
- Traceability required: beyond good intentions, authorities expect evidence: hazard assessments, a dated action plan, training and authorisation records, critical procedures (LOTO, work at height, chemicals), periodic inspections, indicators and management reviews.
Key takeaway: what matters is not having “every document possible”, but having the right, up-to-date elements aligned with your risks — and being able to find them easily.
What inspectors and Suva expect
During an inspection, the inspector or prevention adviser wants to quickly verify that your MSST system is active and effective. Expect requests relating to the following:
- Clear governance
- A signed OHS policy, with roles and responsibilities (management, MSST coordinator, specialists, supervisors and frontline representatives).
- A schedule of safety committee meetings and minutes documenting decisions that are followed through.
- Credible hazard assessment
- A simple but rigorous method (severity × probability, acceptability criteria).
- Clearly identified top risks (machinery, work at height, hazardous energy, chemicals, psychosocial risks and musculoskeletal disorders, etc.) and clear priorities.
- Proportionate action plan
- Technical, organisational and human measures, dated and assigned to named responsible persons.
- Evidence from the field: photographs, inspection records, test reports and certificates.
- Competences and authorisations
- A competence matrix for each position.
- Records of training and authorisations (BLS-AED-SRC/IAS, fire safety and evacuation, LOTO, work at height, chemicals and ergonomics).
- Critical procedures and emergency preparedness
- Up-to-date and accessible operating procedures (isolation/LOTO, work permits, chemical products and evacuation plans).
- Documented exercises and lessons learned.
- Monitoring and continual improvement
- Simple indicators (accidents, near misses, action closure rate and training coverage).
- Periodic management reviews and adjustments.
The right mindset: demonstrate pragmatic control. An effective MSST system is visible in the field, not just in a binder. In the rest of this guide, you will find step-by-step guidance, sector-specific examples and checklists/templates to move from theory to action.
Table of contents
- Introduction: why a practical MSST guide in 2025?
- Understand the logic of MSST before getting started
- Step 1: identify hazards and assess risks
- Step 2: develop a proportionate action plan
- Step 3: involve MSST specialists (occupational physicians and safety experts)
- Step 4: train and raise employee awareness
- Step 5: document and demonstrate compliance
- Step 6: monitor, correct and improve continuously
- Conclusion: from mandatory MSST to strategic lever
Understand the logic of MSST before getting started
Implementing an MSST system is not simply a matter of ticking administrative boxes. It is a structured process designed to meet two priorities:
- Legal compliance: meeting the obligations set out in CFST Directive 6508 and the requirements of Suva or the cantonal labour inspectorates.
- Operational effectiveness: establishing a prevention culture that reduces actual risks and improves the company’s overall performance.
The underlying principle is simple: your MSST system must be proportionate to the hazards present in your activities. An office-based SME does not face the same requirements as a construction site or a chemical plant.
The 3 fundamental pillars of MSST
- Structured risk assessment
Identify physical, chemical, biological and psychosocial hazards, then rank them according to their severity and probability. - Documented action plan
Define concrete measures (technical, organisational and behavioural), assign responsibilities and set realistic deadlines. - Monitoring and continual improvement
Establish indicators, train employees, check the effectiveness of measures and make regular adjustments.
Why a gradual approach is essential
Many companies make the mistake of trying to “do everything at once”. The result is a large, theoretical file that remains in a binder.
By contrast, a step-by-step approach using practical templates and checklists makes it possible to:
- involve teams quickly,
- demonstrate compliance during an inspection,
- and build on continuous improvements rather than creating an administrative “maze”.
Discover our MSST Concept service for turnkey support
Step 1: identify hazards and assess risks
The foundation of a robust MSST system is a structured risk assessment. Without a clear diagnosis, it is impossible to define a relevant action plan. The aim is to identify all hazards present in the company, assess their severity and determine the measures needed to control them.
How to identify hazards in your company
A “hazard” is any situation or condition that could cause an accident, illness or harm to health. The main categories to examine are:
- Physical risks: machinery, tools, electricity, noise and radiation.
- Chemical risks: hazardous products, solvents and dust.
- Biological risks: infectious agents and the handling of biological samples.
- Organisational risks: stress, mental workload, working hours and ergonomics.
- Environmental risks: work at height, work in confined spaces and internal traffic.
A systematic inspection of workplaces, supplemented by interviews with employees and an analysis of past accidents and near misses, provides a practical foundation.
Simple methods for assessing risks
For SMEs, there is no need for complex tools. A probability × severity matrix is often sufficient.
- Probability: unlikely, possible or frequent.
- Severity: minor, serious or critical.
Cross-referencing the two makes it possible to set priorities: a critical risk, even if unlikely, must be addressed as a priority.
Many tools are available to help you:
- CFST/EKAS assessment grids and templates;
- Suva sector-specific checklists;
- Excel spreadsheets or collaborative tools for centralising identified hazards.
Practical example
- Mechanical workshop: risk of crushing by a hydraulic press (medium probability, critical severity) → priority measure.
- Administrative office: risk of musculoskeletal disorders related to the workstation (high probability, low to medium severity) → corrective measures to be planned.
Key good practices
- Involve employees: they know their tasks and the actual hazards best.
- Document each identified hazard with a clear description and, where possible, a photograph.
- Rank the hazards and record them in a hazard register, which will become the basis of your MSST action plan.
Step 2: develop a proportionate action plan
Once hazards have been identified and prioritised, the next step is to define a proportionate action plan. This plan must translate the diagnosis into concrete measures suited to the company’s size and actual risks.
A common mistake is trying to “address everything at once”. A focused, realistic and monitored plan is better than an exhaustive list that is never implemented.
How to prioritise actions
- High priority: hazards with critical severity (risk of death or permanent disability), even if the probability is low. Example: working at height without protection or an unsecured machine.
- Medium priority: frequent risks with limited severity. Example: musculoskeletal disorders related to workstation ergonomics.
- Low priority: minor nuisances or risks that are easily controlled. Example: moderate noise in an office.
The rule is simple: act quickly on critical risks and plan actions for the rest.
Examples of proportionate measures
- Small office-based company (10–20 people)
- Ergonomic adjustment of workstations.
- Training 1–2 internal BLS-AED first aiders.
- Annual review of the evacuation plan.
- Industrial company (50–200 people)
- Machine safeguarding (guards and emergency stops).
- LOTO training (isolation and reinstatement).
- Targeted medical monitoring (noise and chemical substances).
- Evacuation plan with regular drills.
- Construction site
- Collective protection and PPE for work at height.
- Signage and internal traffic management.
- Specific training on risks (scaffolding, equipment and chemical products).
How to formalise the action plan
An effective action plan must include:
- Corrective measure: what needs to be done.
- Designated responsible person: who is leading the action.
- Deadline: when the action must be completed.
- Status: in progress, completed or postponed.
- Evidence: document, photograph or inspection report.
Centralise this information in a tracking table (Excel or a dedicated tool). This document will be requested during an inspection and demonstrates that the company is taking action.
Expert tip
A living action plan should be reviewed at least once a year. Every new machine, organisational change or incident should trigger an update.
Step 3: involve MSST specialists (occupational physicians and safety experts)
The MSST system is based on the principle of calling on specialised expertise as soon as hazards exceed what the company can manage on its own. This step is crucial: it shows that the employer takes its obligations seriously and ensures prevention measures are adapted to actual risks.
When calling on specialists is mandatory
An employer must call on specialists when:
- the company uses dangerous machinery (presses, pressure equipment or construction equipment);
- it handles chemical products or harmful substances;
- work is carried out at height, in confined spaces or in ATEX zones;
- the activity involves particular exposure (noise, vibration, dust, radiation or biological agents);
- recurring problems arise (frequent accidents, occupational diseases or high stress levels).
Even an office-based SME may be affected, for example if it faces psychosocial risks or musculoskeletal disorders.
Role of the occupational physician
The occupational physician (or occupational health specialist) is involved in:
- appropriate medical monitoring (noise, chemicals, ergonomics and high-risk positions);
- analysis of working conditions (lighting, ventilation and work-hour organisation);
- prevention of psychosocial risks and musculoskeletal disorders and monitoring of absenteeism;
- advising management on possible adjustments.
Role of the safety specialist
The safety specialist is responsible for:
- technical risk analysis (machinery, electricity, fire and explosions);
- drafting or validating critical procedures (LOTO, ATEX and work permits);
- implementing organisational measures (signage, instructions and internal traffic management);
- targeted training for exposed employees.
How to choose your experts
- Check their certifications: they must be recognised under CFST Directive 6508.
- Prioritise sector experience: a construction specialist does not address the same risks as an expert in the chemical industry.
- Ensure complementarity: occupational health and safety specialists should work closely together and in coordination with management and HR.
- Formalise the collaboration: written assignment, duration and expected deliverables (reports, training and follow-up).
Good practices
- Include your specialists in safety committees so that they are involved in steering the system.
- Have them review your risk assessments and action plans.
- Keep a record of their opinions and recommendations: this demonstrates compliance during an inspection.
Step 4: train and raise employee awareness
An effective MSST system is not limited to documentation and external experts: it relies on employee competence. Training and awareness turn prevention into a daily reflex and give teams the ability to act correctly in the event of danger or an emergency.
Essential training
Depending on the company’s size and activity, certain training courses should be included in every MSST system:
- BLS-AED-SRC (Basic Life Support + defibrillator) : essential for having trained internal first aiders capable of responding to cardiac arrest or a serious medical emergency.
- IAS 1 & IAS 2 (advanced first aid): strengthens first responders’ skills and is useful at sites with particular hazards.
- Fire safety and evacuation training: learn how to use fire extinguishers, raise the alarm and evacuate effectively.
- Machine safety and lockout/tagout (LOTO): mandatory whenever maintenance work is carried out on dangerous machinery.
- Work at height, chemicals, ATEX and electricity: depending on the risks identified during the assessment.
- Ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorder prevention: workstation adjustment and manual handling of loads.
- Psychosocial risk awareness: stress management, burnout prevention and internal communication.
Maintaining a strong safety culture
One-off training is not enough. Prevention must be maintained and updated.
Good practices:
- Regular refresher training: most courses have a validity period (2 years for BLS-AED-SRC, for example).
- Practical exercises: annual evacuation drills, fire simulations and first aid scenarios.
- Safety briefings: integrated into team meetings or daily worksite briefings.
- Visual reminders: posters, checklists and QR codes linking to internal procedures or videos.
- Feedback from the field: every employee should be able to report a hazard or suggest an improvement.
Why training is strategic
- For the company: fewer accidents, better risk management and legal compliance.
- For employees: a sense of security, confidence in the organisation and the ability to act in an emergency.
- For management: tangible evidence of its commitment to safety and a strong argument during inspections.
Step 5: document and demonstrate compliance
An MSST system is only valuable if it can be demonstrated during an inspection. Inspectors (Suva and cantonal labour inspectorates) want to see clear evidence that the company is actually taking action and not merely expressing intentions. Documentation is therefore an essential part of the system.
Evidence expected during an inspection
- Hazard register
- List of identified risks (machinery, chemicals, musculoskeletal disorders, psychosocial risks, fire, etc.).
- Prioritisation by severity and probability.
- Update date.
- MSST action plan
- Planned measures, responsible persons, deadlines and status.
- Regular monitoring (completed, overdue and planned actions).
- Training and authorisations
- Register of trained employees (BLS-AED, IAS, fire safety, evacuation, LOTO, etc.).
- Training and refresher dates.
- Certificates available.
- Safety procedures and instructions
- Written operating procedures (isolation, chemical handling and evacuation).
- Accessibility in the field (posters, QR codes and intranet).
- Evidence from the field
- Internal inspection reports, audits and technical inspections.
- Dated photographs of compliance measures.
- Safety committee minutes.
Templates and checklists to download
To save time and standardise documentation, it is recommended to use ready-to-use templates:
- Hazard assessment grid.
- MSST action plan template.
- Training and authorisation matrix.
- “Suva/cantonal inspection” checklist.
Adapted to your sector, these documents serve not only as formal evidence, but also as an internal management tool.
Key good practices
- Centralise documentation in a single file (paper and digital).
- Plan an annual update and an update after every major change (new machine, reorganisation or accident).
- Involve management: management approval is a strong signal to the authorities.
- Prepare a “inspection pack” that is immediately accessible in the event of an audit (register, action plan, training records and key evidence).
Check your compliance before an inspection with our initial audit.
Step 6: monitor, correct and improve continuously
An MSST system is not a one-off project: it is a living system that evolves with the company, its activities and its risks. Once the action plan has been launched, regular management is needed to maintain its effectiveness and demonstrate that prevention is an integral part of the company culture.
Annual monitoring and updating
- Annual review: the MSST system must be reviewed at least once a year. This review makes it possible to check:
- progress on planned actions;
- the relevance of existing measures;
- new hazards that have emerged (new machinery, processes or products).
- Post-event update: any accident, near miss or major change (e.g. a new production line) must trigger an immediate update.
- Fixed schedule: putting it in the annual calendar (e.g. November) ensures that it is never forgotten.
Examples of indicators and dashboards
Effective monitoring relies on simple, meaningful indicators:
- Action closure rate: percentage of actions in the plan completed on time.
- Training coverage rate: percentage of employees who have completed mandatory training.
- Number of accidents and near misses: monthly monitoring and trend analysis.
- Hazard reports: volume of field alerts, an indicator of team involvement.
- Equipment compliance rate: periodic checks of machinery, PPE and fire safety installations.
This data can be presented in a visual dashboard (Excel, Power BI or Google Data Studio). This is not a luxury: during an inspection, showing graphical monitoring sends a strong signal that the system is under control.
Good practices for continual improvement
- Involve management: a credible MSST system is supported at the highest level, not only by the safety manager.
- Celebrate successes: communicate internally about successful actions, certifications obtained and declining accident rates.
- Encourage feedback from the field: every employee should feel authorised to report a hazard without fear.
- Integrate prevention into projects: new equipment, a new building or a new organisation → the MSST system must be consulted from the design stage.
- Sector benchmarking: compare your indicators with the standards in your industry to improve continuously.
Guide conclusion: an effective MSST system is not a constraint, but a strategic lever. When properly managed, it reduces accident-related costs, improves the employer brand and strengthens the confidence of customers and partners.
Your system is structured, but is it still difficult to maintain its monitoring? Discover our STPS support service to monitor your action plan , update documents and improve measures over time.
Conclusion: from mandatory MSST to strategic lever
Implementing an MSST system is not merely a legal obligation arising from CFST Directive 6508. Above all, it is a strategic opportunity to:
- Reduce risks and protect your employees;
- Optimise costs by reducing work stoppages and absenteeism;
- Improve your employer brand and strengthen the confidence of your partners, customers and insurers;
- Anticipate inspections and avoid sanctions by demonstrating compliance.
In summary: a well-designed MSST system is not an administrative burden, but a profitable investment that improves the company’s safety, performance and reputation.
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- Or entrust us with your project: our team supports SMEs and large companies in building a pragmatic, compliant and effective MSST system.
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MSST FAQ in Switzerland
MSST refers to the obligation for employers to call on occupational physicians and occupational safety specialists in order to organise a structured prevention system adapted to their risks.
Yes, all companies must assess their hazards and implement appropriate measures. Calling on specialists is mandatory as soon as the risks exceed internal expertise (machinery, chemicals, work at height, etc.).
The authorities expect a hazard register, an MSST action plan, a training and authorisation register, written procedures and evidence from the field (reports, photographs and inspections).
It depends entirely on the company’s size and activity. An office-based SME can implement its MSST system in a few weeks, whereas an industrial company or construction site may require several months and the support of external specialists.
Depending on the sector, compliance is checked by Suva (sectors involving particular hazards) or by the cantonal labour inspectorates, under the coordination of SECO.
