A situation that remains unchanged
For more than ten years, the figures have remained the same: every day in France, more than two people die at work and around a hundred are seriously injured. After decades of progress, the curve has remained unchanged since 2010. And behind these figures, the causes remain the same:
- incomplete risk assessment,
- inadequate safety training,
- poor protection for young people and temporary workers,
- falls from height that are still too frequent (nearly one in three accidents),
- subcontracting chains that dilute responsibilities.
These tragedies are not inevitable: most could be prevented.
The law takes a tougher stance
Faced with this stagnation, the government is taking a tougher stance. The joint Labour-Justice instruction, signed in July 2025, marks a turning point. It strengthens cooperation between the Labour Inspectorate and public prosecutors and broadens the chain of responsibility: from now on, employers, project owners and contractors can be prosecuted.
In concrete terms, companies are now exposed to much heavier penalties than before:
Inspectors now have greater powers at their disposal: they can issue fines even in the absence of an accident, give priority to criminal settlements, and conduct accelerated judicial investigations. At the same time, enhanced support is provided for victims and their families. This tougher stance reflects a reality: zero tolerance for violations is no longer a slogan, but an assertive criminal policy.
But the real key is prevention
Punishment will not bring back the victims. The only effective lever is active and shared prevention. Training, involving and empowering teams to take action: that is what reduces accidents. A strong safety culture is not a burden, it is a performance asset: fewer stoppages, more confidence and greater peace of mind in projects.
How we operate
At C2D Prévention, we help companies take this step: moving from a minimum compliance approach to an internally controlled safety culture.
In concrete terms, this means:
- clarifying risks and practices through a structured diagnosis,
- training each employee according to their level of responsibility,
- establishing rituals and procedures that give employees an active role.
Your C2D team is here to support you!
Examples of workshops and conferences offered:
Key Takeaways
- Every day in France, serious accidents remind us of the importance of health and safety at work and the prevention of occupational risks.
- The tightening of the law in 2025 will increase the legal responsibility of employers, project owners and contractors: zero tolerance will become the rule.
- The real answer lies not only in sanctions, but in a vibrant safety culture: training, involvement and participatory management.
- A structured approach to risk prevention, incorporating QVCT and psychosocial risk prevention, is a lever for sustainable performance and trust for teams.
- Investing in workplace safety means protecting employees, reducing accidents, strengthening commitment and ensuring the success of projects.
Ministère du Travail, du Plein emploi et de l’Insertion, & Ministère de la Justice. (2023, 5 septembre). Lutte contre les accidents du travail graves et mortels : Signature d’une instruction conjointe relative à la politique pénale du travail en matière de répression des manquements aux obligations de santé et de sécurité [Communiqué de presse]. Gouvernement de la République française. https://www.info.gouv.fr/upload/media/content/0001/07/7dd59d11ed5eafd87b816663396d4f8015c73d27.pdf
Ministère du Travail, du Plein emploi et de l’Insertion, & Ministère de la Justice. (2025, 10 juillet). Lutte contre les accidents du travail graves et mortels (ATGM) : Signature d’une instruction conjointe relative à la politique pénale du travail en matière de répression des manquements aux obligations de santé et de sécurité [Communiqué de presse]. Paris.