{"id":5631,"date":"2025-08-14T13:07:57","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T12:07:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/safetyfirst.ch\/occupational-health-and-safety-cfst-6508-obligations-and-msst-system\/les-obligations-legales-en-securite-au-travail-en-suisse\/"},"modified":"2025-09-20T15:56:03","modified_gmt":"2025-09-20T14:56:03","slug":"les-obligations-legales-en-securite-au-travail-en-suisse","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/safetyfirst.ch\/en\/occupational-health-and-safety-cfst-6508-obligations-and-msst-system\/les-obligations-legales-en-securite-au-travail-en-suisse\/","title":{"rendered":"Legal obligations regarding safety at work in Switzerland"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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In Switzerland,safety at work<\/a> is not an option, but a strict legal obligation<\/strong> for all employers. They must take all necessary measures to protect the health and safety of their employees, in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Obligations (CO)<\/strong>, the Federal Labour Act (LTr)<\/strong> and the Accident Insurance Act (LAA)<\/strong>. These texts stipulate that measures must be adapted to the state of the art, experience and the specific conditions of each company.<\/p>\n

The aim of this obligation is to effectively prevent occupational accidents and work-related illnesses, and to ensure a healthy environment. In addition, active collaboration between employers and workers is required to implement these measures. Failure to comply with these rules may result in penalties, fines or even criminal risks.<\/p>\n

On this page, you will find a clear and concrete overview of the legal obligations in terms of safety at work in Switzerland<\/strong>, tailored to the different types of company. You will also discover the application thresholds, specific responsibilities and consequences in the event of non-compliance, so that you can ensure compliant and safe implementation in your organisation.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Table of contents<\/h4><\/div>
  1. <\/i>Why safety at work is a legal obligation<\/a><\/li>
  2. <\/i>Legal texts and reference directives (LS, OPA, CFST 6508, MSST)<\/a><\/li>
  3. <\/i>Who is affected by the legal obligations relating to safety at work?<\/a><\/li>
  4. <\/i>Penalties and consequences of non-compliance<\/a><\/li>
  5. <\/i>How to remain compliant on a daily basis<\/a><\/li><\/ol><\/div><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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    Why safety at work is a legal obligation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    A clear responsibility for employers<\/h3>\n

    In Switzerland, safety at work is a fundamental legal obligation<\/strong>. This responsibility falls primarily on employers, who must guarantee a safe and healthy working environment for their employees. This obligation is not just a recommendation, but a strict legal framework designed to protect the life and health of employees.<\/p>\n

    Health protection and accident prevention<\/h3>\n

    The aim of this obligation is to prevent occupational accidents and illnesses<\/strong>, which can have serious consequences both human \"Safety and economically. The measures to be implemented must be tailored to the specific risks associated with each professional activity, taking into account actual working conditions and technical developments. This includes hazard analysis, employee training and the organisation and monitoring of safety conditions.<\/p>\n

    Precise and imperative Swiss standards<\/h3>\n

    This obligation is framed by several important legal texts that set precise standards: the Loi f\u00e9d\u00e9rale sur le travail (LTr)<\/strong>, the Loi f\u00e9d\u00e9rale sur l’assurance-accidents (LAA)<\/strong> and the Code des obligations (CO)<\/strong>. These laws impose strict duties on employers, particularly in terms of prevention, information, control and continuous adaptation of safety measures.<\/p>\n

    Active collaboration between employers and employees<\/h3>\n

    The law also emphasises the importance of active collaboration between employers and employees<\/strong> for safety at work. This partnership makes it easier to identify risks, adapt measures and ensure that everyone adheres to the prevention culture.<\/p>\n

    Consequences of non-compliance<\/h3>\n

    Non-compliance with these obligations can result in severe punishment<\/strong> (fines, operating bans, obligations to comply under supervision, even criminal penalties). The aim of these measures is to make companies more responsible and to ensure a working environment that complies with legal requirements, in order to minimise the risk of accidents and occupational illnesses.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    Legal texts and reference directives (LS, OPA, CFST 6508, MSST)<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    The Federal Labour Act (LTr)<\/h3>\n

    The Labour Act (LTr)<\/strong> is the cornerstone of the Swiss legal framework for occupational health and safety. It defines the general principles of worker protection, imposes obligations on employers concerning working conditions, the prevention of occupational risks, and the organisation of protective measures. In particular, it lays down the basics in terms of working hours, physical conditions, and protection against chemical, physical and biological hazards.<\/p>\n

    The Ordinance on Accident Prevention (OPA)<\/h3>\n

    The Ordinance on Accident Prevention (OPA)<\/strong> complements the LTr by specifying the technical and organisational requirements that companies must meet to prevent accidents and occupational illnesses. Article 11a of the OPA requires employers to call in safety specialists when risks cannot be controlled by their own means. This ordinance is an indispensable practical guide that provides a framework for the application of concrete prevention measures.<\/p>\n

    The CFST Directive 6508 (MSST Directive)<\/h3>\n

    The Directive 6508 of the Federal Coordination Commission for Occupational Safety (CFST)<\/a><\/strong>, also known as the MSST Directive, represents the detailed legal framework for the obligation for companies to use occupational safety specialists (occupational physicians, hygienists, safety officers, engineers). In force since 2000, it is based on the LAA (Law on Accident Insurance) and the OPA, and provides a framework for the introduction of a safety management system commensurate with the specific hazards of each company. It defines ten key elements, including risk assessment, rescue organisation, training, documentation and monitoring of safety measures.<\/p>\n

    The MSST system: an operational mechanism<\/h3>\n

    The MSST (Occupational Doctors and Other Occupational Safety Specialists)<\/strong> is the practical embodiment of this directive. It is an occupational safety system made up of qualified professionals who assist employers in identifying risks, assessing existing measures and implementing the necessary corrective action. This system is compulsory for certain companies, depending on their size and the hazardous nature of their activities. The MSST audit ensures that your company is compliant<\/a>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    Who is affected by the legal obligations relating to safety at work?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Swiss workplace safety legislation does not apply only to large companies or high-risk industrial sectors. It concerns all employers<\/strong>, but with obligations modulated according to the size of the company, the type of activity and the level of danger involved in the tasks performed.<\/p>\n

    Companies with special hazards<\/h3>\n

    Companies whose activities involve specific risks to the health or safety of workers are considered to present special hazards.
    Examples: construction, chemical industry, maintenance of electrical installations, work at height, handling of hazardous substances.
    These companies must    implement an MSST system<\/a> regardless of their workforce, with the<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    mandatory use of safety specialists.<\/p>\n

    Companies without special hazards<\/h3>\n

    Even without high-risk activities, certain obligations apply. Directive CFST 6508 stipulates that companies with 50 or more employees<\/strong> must use safety specialists to assess and prevent risks, even if their activity is not classified as dangerous.<\/p>\n

    SMEs and micro-businesses<\/h3>\n

    For smaller structures, the obligation essentially depends on whether or not particular hazards are present. An SME with fewer than 10 employees operating in a sector with no major risks must nevertheless comply with the general principles of safety at work: regular risk assessment, appropriate training and means of protection.<\/p>\n

    Summary table of thresholds and obligations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    \n

    Size \/ Situation of the company<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Special hazards<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    MSST obligation<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Use of specialists<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

    \n

    Less than 10 employees<\/strong><\/p>\n

    .\/p><\/td>\n

    		\n

    Yes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Yes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Mandatory<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    10 or more employees<\/p>\n<\/td>\n\n

    Yes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Yes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Mandatory<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    50 or more employees<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    No<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Yes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    Mandatory<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n

    .\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    \n

    Less than 50 employees, no special hazards<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    No<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    No*<<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		\n

    No, unless specifically requested<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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    * Compliance with general safety principles always required.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

    		 <\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    <\/strong><\/p>\n

    Sectors of activity mainly concerned<\/h3>\n