Priority groups
Developing and implementing a prevention program is an obligation for employers whose establishment (or construction site) belongs to priority groups 1, 2 or 3.
The CNESST encourages workplaces to set up participation mechanisms such as health and safety committees and worker representatives in the establishment.
What is a priority group?
All companies in Québec are classified into 33 sectors of economic activity, which are divided into 6 priority groups.
Each priority group includes similar economic sectors in terms of occupational health and safety risks.
Priority groups | Sectors of activity |
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Group 1 |
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Group 2 |
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Group 3 |
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Group 4 |
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Group 5 |
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Group 6 |
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Obligations by priority group
The Loi sur la santé et la sécurité du travail provides for 4 prevention mechanisms that are either mandatory or encouraged, depending on the priority group. These prevention mechanisms are:
- an occupational health and safety committee
- a prevention program
- an establishment-specific health program
- a prevention representative
Priority group | Prevention program | Establishment-specific health program | Occupational health and safety committee | Safety representative |
---|---|---|---|---|
Priority group 1 |
Mandatory | Mandatory | Provided for by the Act except in establishments with 20 or fewer workers | Provided for by the Act |
Priority group 2 |
Mandatory | Mandatory | Provided for by the Act except in establishments with 20 or fewer workers | Provided for by the Act |
Priority group 3 |
Mandatory | Mandatory | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Priority group 4 |
Recommended | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Priority group 5 |
Recommended | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
Priority group 6 |
Recommended | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |