The beginning of 2022 brought a new development that is still impacting companies across the country today: the implementation of the new Regulatory Standard NR-01. And what does that mean? Companies are now responsible for adopting Occupational Risk Management (GRO) and the Risk Management Program (PGR) as a fundamental part of their occupational safety and health strategies.

The goal of this standard is clear: to systematize Occupational Health and Safety Management, reducing risks and, consequently, occupational accidents. But here is the primary difference: although both terms refer to “risks,” there is an important distinction between them. 

In this blog, you'll explore everything about the difference between the two terms, how to apply each one, and understand how your company can best adapt to this new reality. Happy reading! 

What is GRO? 

Occupational Risk Management (ORM) encompasses a set of management practices aimed at ensuring the health and safety of employees in a company.

In this case, The priority of GRO is, above all, to adopt measures to identify, assess, and prevent accidents and illnesses. related to agents present in the work environment or to professional activities.

This model seeks to identify, assess, eliminate, or reduce workplace risks, aiming to create a safe and healthy environment. Furthermore, through these actions, it aims to ensure a work environment that promotes the quality of life and well-being of workers, increasing their sense of security and comfort.

What are the characteristics of GRO? 

Occupational Risk Management (ORM) is based on the PDCA cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act), which, when translated into Portuguese, means: plan, execute, check, and act. Now, let's understand how this process works in ORM: 

The first phase consists of planning, it is important to identify and evaluate occupational risks, defining control measures, such as the adequate selection of equipment, implementation of emergency procedures, and necessary training.

In the second stage (execution), the processes are implemented as planned in the previous stage, bringing the actions defined in the GRO action plan to life.

The third phase (verification) involves monitoring and measuring performance, ensuring the plan is working effectively. This helps identify problems and understand the necessary changes to resolve them.

Finally, in the last step, it is essential to act to continuously improve occupational health and safety, adjusting actions that are not achieving the expected performance and identifying possible improvements.

As you can see, the PDCA cycle is fundamental for large-scale occupational health and safety management and can be incorporated into daily management to promote a safer and healthier work environment.

What is PGR? 

The Risk Management Program (PGR) is documentation that supports the PDCA cycle we mentioned earlier, and its objective is to consolidate the information and actions necessary for prevent occupational diseases, work accidents, and protect the health and physical integrity of workers.

In addition, the PGR includes an occupational risk inventory, an action plan, and continuous monitoring. However, it should not be seen solely as a document, as it can also be met through a management system.

The purpose of the PGR is to recognize, evaluate, and propose measures aimed at preventing occupational diseases and work accidents, and reducing harm to workers' health and physical integrity. This involves analysis of work-related accidents and diseases, as well as emergency preparedness measures.

It is important to remember that these actions must be planned, developed and implemented in each establishment, being the responsibility of the employer and with the essential participation of employees to ensure the effectiveness of the process.

What is the structure of the PGR? 

To meet the PGR's requirements, two essential elements are necessary:

• Risk Inventory: The risk inventory is a document that compiles all the functions and activities of workers within the company. It describes the work environment in detail, including machinery, furniture, and spaces. Furthermore, the inventory identifies all the risks to which employees are exposed, presenting a clear description of each one based on a comprehensive risk assessment.

• Action Plan: The action plan goes beyond identifying what needs to be implemented; it also lists actions already completed and ensures proper maintenance is being carried out. The action plan is a document that describes the specific measures to be taken to mitigate the risks identified in the inventory. It includes the definition of responsibilities, deadlines, necessary resources, and strategies to ensure the effective implementation of risk control actions.

These two elements, the risk inventory and the action plan, are essential for an effective Risk Management Program, providing a solid foundation for the prevention of occupational accidents and illnesses, as well as for the continuous maintenance of worker safety and health.

What is the difference between GRO and PGR?

GRO is the macro vision of occupational health and safety management; it deals with all aspects of occupational risk management. PGR, on the other hand, is just one of the programs included in this overall framework, establishing action plans to minimize risks. 

Therefore, the basic difference between the two terms lies in their scope. After all, to implement GRO, it is necessary to go beyond the PGR, also adopting other programs, reports, and specific regulatory standards for the company's business sector. It is a great challenge, but one that brings enormous benefits.

Investing in employee safety and health is investing in the company's success. In addition to ensuring a safer work environment, the implementation of GRO and PGR brings advantages such as cost reduction related to accidents and leaves of absence, increased productivity, and improved company image with clients and society. 

What happens if your company is not compliant with NR1 standards?

Failure to comply with established regulations can lead to serious consequences for companies. NR1, which defines the application of other regulatory standards, establishes that it is the employer's duty to obey legal provisions related to occupational safety and health. In this regard, Compliance with NR is not optional.

If a company does not comply with the legal provisions of the specific NR for its sector, it may face penalties from the Ministry of Labor. These penalties can include fines, the interdiction or embargo of the work or establishment, as well as responsibility for paying for unhealthy and potentially dangerous activities.

In the event of workplace accidents with bodily injuries, the employer is responsible for all medical treatment expenses. Additionally, they must guarantee the employee's temporary job security, assume responsibility for aesthetic damages, and, if necessary, pay a lifetime pension.

Therefore, it is essential for companies to comply with regulatory standards to ensure the safety and health of workers. Furthermore, this helps to avoid legal penalties and additional costs arising from workplace accidents.

How can technology help you in implementing these tools?

Given the need for integration between different areas, it is essential to systematize data in the Risk Management Program (PGR). To do this, the use of safety indicator monitoring tools becomes mandatory, as it optimizes the company's internal processes.

Implementing management software capable of integrating and organizing information will offer more resources for GRO and help in the effective implementation of PGR. This will provide a solid foundation for effective occupational risk management, ensuring the safety and health of employees. Therefore, we recommend you use Actio Risk Management.

What's more, with the Actio Risk Management, it will be possible to identify, more precisely, the risks involved in each activity. As a consequence, this allows for the creation of more assertive mitigation plans and the adoption of more effective controls.

As you can already tell, this combination of technology and risk management can bring great benefits to your company.

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