Regulatory Standards (NR) play a crucial role in the Brazilian labor landscape, outlining guidelines and responsibilities for employers and workers. Their main objective is to ensure a safe and healthy work environment, preventing accidents and occupational diseases.
These standards complement Chapter V (On Occupational Health and Safety) of Title II of the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT), as established by Law No. 6,514, dated December 22, 1977.
The starting point for the implementation of NR was Ordinance No. 3214, dated June 8, 1978, which introduced the set of regulatory standards. Since then, new standards have been created over time, covering a variety of economic sectors and labor services, always with the aim of improving working conditions.
An important aspect of the process of drafting and revising NR is the tripartite parity system, following the guidelines of the International Labour Organization (ILO). This system involves representatives from the government, employers, and workers in groups and committees that discuss and define the standards. The Tripartite Permanent Paritarian Commission (CTPP) stands out as the main instance for these discussions, contributing to the construction and updating of NR.
Brazilian National Policy on Occupational Health and Safety
Brazilian Regulatory Standards
General Provisions and Occupational Risk Management
Establishes the general provisions, scope, terms and definitions common to the regulatory standards (NRs) and guidelines for risk management.
Prior Inspection
Required a prior inspection of new establishments to verify workplaces were free from occupational accidents.
Embargo and Prohibition
Establishes guidelines for the characterization of serious and imminent risk and technical requirements for interdiction.
Specialized Services in Occupational Health and Safety (SESMT)
Establishes requirements for the establishment and maintenance of SESMT to promote health and protect worker integrity.
Internal Committee for Prevention of Accidents and Harassment (CIPA)
Parameters for CIPA with the objective of preventing work-related accidents and illnesses.
Personal Protective Equipment
Requirements for the approval, marketing, supply, and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Occupational Health Medical Control Program (PCMSO)
Guidelines for developing PCMSO in organizations to protect and preserve the health of employees concerning occupational risks.
Buildings
Establishes requirements that shall be met in buildings to ensure the safety and comfort of workers.
Occupational Exposure Assessment (Physical, Chemical, Biological)
Requirements for the assessment of occupational exposure to physical, chemical and biological agents identified in the RMP.
Safety in Electrical Installations and Services
Minimum requirements and conditions for control measures to ensure safety for workers interacting with electrical services.
Transport, Moving, Storage and Handling of Materials
Establishes requirements for transporting, moving, storing, and handling of materials.
Machinery and Work Equipment Safety
Technical references and protective measures to ensure health and physical integrity for workers using machinery.
Boilers and Pressure Vessels
Minimum requirements for managing the structural integrity of steam boilers, pressure vessels and interconnection pipes.
Unhealthy Activities and Operations
Covers worker exposure to noise, heat, radiation, chemicals, mineral dust, and biological agents.
Hazardous Activities and Operations
Comprises definitions and procedures for hazard pay and specific hazardous activities.
Ergonomics
Adaptation of working conditions to the psychophysiological characteristics of employees to provide comfort and safety.
Health and Safety in Construction
Guidelines to implement control measures and preventive safety systems in the construction industry.
Explosives
Requirements and preventive measures to ensure safety at all stages of manufacture, storage, and transport of explosives.
Flammables and Combustibles
Minimum requirements for managing health and safety against accident risk factors arising from activities with flammables.
Open Air Work
Specific safety requirements and conditions for work activities performed in open-air environments.
Occupational Health and Safety in Mining
Precepts to ensure that planning and development of mining activities are compatible with workers’ safety.
Fire Protection
Establishes the measures for the prevention of fire in work environments.
Sanitary and Comfort Conditions in the Workplace
Minimum hygiene and comfort conditions based on the number of workers in the shift.
Industrial Waste
Specifies occupational health and safety requirements for industrial waste management.
Safety Signs
Establishes the measures for safety signs and markings to be used in workplaces.
Professional Registration of Occupational Safety Technician
Dealt with the professional registration requirements for occupational safety technicians.
Enforcement and Penalties
Focuses on the administrative procedures for the enforcement of NRs and the application of penalties.
Health and Safety in Ports
Prevention measures in health and safety in ports and guidelines for implementing risk management.
Health and Safety in Waterways
Set requirements for the protection and safeguarding of health and safety in waterway operations.
Health and Safety in Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry
Principles to be observed in rural work to make planning compatible with prevention of accidents.
Health and Safety at Work in Health Services
Guidelines for implementing measures to protect the safety and health of workers in health services.
Health and Safety in Confined Spaces
Requirements for the characterization of confined spaces and criteria for managing risks.
Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Industry
Minimum requirements and protective measures for safety in construction and repair of naval vessels.
Working at Height
Requirements and preventive measures for work at height, including planning and execution.
Slaughter Houses and Processing Meat
Minimum requirements for evaluation, control, and monitoring of risks in the meat processing industry.
Health and Safety on Oil Platforms
Safety, health, and living conditions requirements for work on oil platforms operating in AJB.
Urban Cleaning and Solid Waste Management
Requirements and preventive measures to ensure safety of workers in urban cleaning activities.