If you plan to launch or expand your business in the Netherlands, developing a strong health and safety policy should be one of your first priorities. This policy must follow the Dutch Risk Assessment & Evaluation (RI&E – Risico Inventarisatie & Evaluatie in Dutch).
Creating a well-structured health & safety policy not only ensures legal compliance but also protects your employees and your business from future risks. A safe workplace boosts morale, productivity, and engagement. In this guide, we explain the essential components of the RI&E and what you can expect during the process.
What Is the Risk Assessment & Evaluation (RI&E)?
The RI&E is the official process businesses in the Netherlands must complete to establish a compliant health and safety policy. According to Dutch regulations, this procedure involves two main steps:
- Listing all workplace health and safety risks.
- Creating a plan to reduce or eliminate those risks.
The first step requires identifying every potential threat to employee well-being, whether physical or psychological. The second step focuses on developing a clear plan of action (plan van aanpak) that defines your timeline, specific actions, and required resources.
Who Is Involved in the RI&E Process?
To create an effective health & safety policy, every company must appoint a health and safety officer (preventiemedewerker in Dutch). This person coordinates the RI&E, implements the plan, and works closely with other key parties, such as the company doctor and the Works Council.
If your business employs 25 or more people, your RI&E must undergo an internal review. The Works Council should assess it first to ensure all departments are represented. After that, a workplace safety inspector may visit your business to review both your RI&E and the progress of your implementation plan.
For new companies or expanding businesses, partnering with an external health and safety expert often makes the process smoother and more compliant.
Why Is a Health and Safety Policy Important?
Employee well-being is a top priority in the Netherlands, and for good reason. When employees feel safe and supported, they perform better and stay engaged. A thorough health and safety policy offers many benefits, including:
- Fewer workplace accidents and incidents
- Reduced absenteeism and health-related disruptions
- Improved efficiency and team morale
- Stronger legal compliance and avoidance of fines
- Greater business continuity and resilience
At Octagon Professionals, we view every health & safety policy as more than a compliance document. It’s an investment in your team’s long-term well-being and your business’s stability.
How the Health and Safety Policy and RI&E Differ, and What Each One Means
Many employers confuse the health and safety policy with the RI&E, but they serve different purposes within workplace compliance. Understanding how they work together helps you build a safer, more efficient, and legally compliant organisation.
The Health and Safety Policy: Your Overall Commitment
Your health and safety policy outlines your company’s overall approach to employee well-being. In short, it defines your goals, responsibilities, and preventive measures for creating a safe work environment. Essentially, it explains what your business stands for in terms of workplace safety and why these standards matter.
The RI&E: Your Practical Implementation Tool
The RI&E (Risk Assessment & Evaluation) turns your policy into action. It’s a structured process that identifies risks, assesses their severity, and establishes an actionable plan to control or eliminate them. In other words, while the policy provides direction, the RI&E delivers the steps needed to achieve it.
Together, your health and safety policy and RI&E create a complete safety framework, one that protects your employees, ensures compliance with Dutch law, and strengthens your organisation’s long-term success.
Key Elements of the RI&E
Every business operating in the Netherlands must complete the RI&E as part of its health and safety policy. This process helps employers identify, evaluate, and control workplace risks in a structured and transparent way. While every organisation may have different challenges, the RI&E generally includes three essential elements that together create a safer and more compliant work environment.
1. Risk Identification (Risico Inventarisatie)
The first step involves identifying every possible risk that could threaten employee health, safety, or well-being. These risks can be physical (such as unsafe machinery or slippery floors), chemical (for example, exposure to hazardous substances), or psychosocial (like stress, bullying, or harassment).
In order to make this process more effective, use industry-specific checklists and involve employees from various departments. Their daily experience often helps uncover hidden risks that management might overlook. Moreover, reviewing accident records or previous inspection reports provides valuable insights. By combining these methods, you can create a complete picture of your workplace’s safety landscape.
2. Risk Evaluation (Risico Evaluatie)
After identifying all potential hazards, the next stage is to assess their likelihood and potential impact. During this step, employers determine how serious each risk is and how frequently it could occur. This evaluation allows you to prioritise the most critical risks first, ensuring that immediate threats receive prompt attention while less severe issues are addressed later.
Additionally, comparing your findings with national safety standards or sector benchmarks helps you understand how your organisation measures up. As a result, your health & safety policy remains aligned with Dutch legal requirements and best practices.
3. Action Plan (Plan van Aanpak)
Once risks have been evaluated, it’s time to take action. Develop a detailed, step-by-step plan that outlines how each risk will be controlled or eliminated further. Each action should include a clear deadline, assigned responsibility, and measurable results. This approach ensures accountability and keeps your health and safety policy both actionable and transparent.
Furthermore, it’s important to communicate this plan effectively across your organisation. Regular updates, safety meetings, and visible progress tracking encourage employee involvement and build a culture of shared responsibility. Over time, this proactive attitude not only reduces accidents but also strengthens trust and engagement among your team.
Health & Safety Risk Assessment Template for New Businesses
If you’re establishing or expanding your company in the Netherlands, use this risk assessment template as a practical starting point. It helps ensure your business follows Dutch regulations and keeps your employees protected from day one.
| Steps | Contents |
| Identify Hazards | – Inspect all work areas and equipment. – Involve employees to spot potential hazards. – Review incidents or near-misses from similar workplaces. |
| Evaluate the Risks | – Estimate how likely each risk is to occur. – Determine the severity of potential harm. – Rank risks to decide which need immediate action. |
| Plan Preventive Actions | – Define clear actions to remove or control risks. – Assign responsibility to specific employees. – Set realistic deadlines and provide necessary resources. |
| Implement and Communicate | – Share the health & safety policy and RI&E with all employees. – Offer regular training on safety procedures. – Encourage open communication about new risks or improvements. |
| Review and Update Regularly | – Reassess your risk assessment template every year or after major changes. – Document updates and keep your RI&E up to date. |
How Octagon Professionals Can Help
Octagon Professionals has been supporting international businesses in the Netherlands for over 30 years. We understand that entering a new market comes with complex HR and compliance challenges.
Our team of HR and compliance experts can help you establish a legally sound health and safety policy, complete your RI&E, and implement effective safety measures tailored to your business.
Would you like to learn how we can support your expansion? Contact us today and let’s ensure your workplace stays safe, compliant, and ready for growth.
