The General Principles of Prevention in the Framework Directive 89/391/EEC of Occupational Risk Prevention for the Building Construction

Abstract

Since 1989, the European Union has been actively developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) to reduce occupational accidents and diseases. The Framework Directive 89/391/EEC establishes fundamental principles and guidelines for assessing and addressing risks in the workplace, with an emphasis on the General Principles of Prevention (GPP) for managing OSH in all economic sectors. This study reviews the construction of the European regulatory framework and its impact on accident rates. Additionally, it analyses the relationship between the GPP and the Hierarchy of Controls of risk defined in 1973, as well as with Prevention through Design (PtD). It analyses the implementation of these concepts in Directive 92/57/EEC, which establishes minimum safety and health requirements for temporary or mobile construction sites. The crucial role of the GPP in this directive is highlighted, as well as how these principles structure the obligations and responsibilities of the various actors involved in a construction project, such as the Client, the Project Supervisor, and the coordinators. The effective integration of PtD in construction projects is ensured by stakeholders’ compliance with the GPP. This proactive approach in the European regulatory framework sets a benchmark for global standards in OSH risk management. © The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025.