If you are an entrepreneur or run a business, you may already have wondered whether you can take care of company safety yourself. The answer is yes, but only under certain conditions. The figure of the employer acting as RSPP allows the owner of the business to take direct responsibility for risk prevention and protection. However, to do so properly and competently, you must complete a mandatory path: employer RSPP training.
Who the employer RSPP is and what they do
The acronym RSPP stands for Head of the Prevention and Protection Service. When the business owner decides to take on this role personally, they take on the burden of assessing the risks present, identifying preventive measures, organising safety activities and coordinating the actions needed to protect workers.
The possibility is provided for by Legislative Decree 81/08, but only in specific contexts. The advantage is twofold: on the one hand costs are reduced, on the other internal awareness of safety issues increases.
In which cases the employer can take on the RSPP role
Not all owners can take on this role. The law sets precise limits, mainly linked to the size and type of the business. Generally, the opportunity is granted to small and medium-sized enterprises, where the owner is often also the point of reference for staff. This choice streamlines management and makes the implementation of prevention measures more direct.
When the employer must delegate the role
There are contexts in which, for reasons of complexity or high risk, the regulations prevent the employer from handling prevention directly. This happens, for example, in high-industrial-risk companies, in plants subject to special regulations or in organisations with many employees. In these situations, the appointment of a qualified RSPP, chosen from internal resources or authorised external consultants, is mandatory.
Why employer RSPP training is necessary
The regulations require employers who want to take on the RSPP role to follow a specific training path. But beyond the obligation, this experience offers practical tools to truly understand the dangers connected with the activity and to manage them methodically.
Well-done training helps prevent errors, inspections and accidents, and at the same time makes the owner more autonomous and aware in making crucial decisions for workers’ health and safety.
How the course is structured and how long it lasts
The employer RSPP course varies according to the type of risk associated with the activity carried out. The risk level is identified on the basis of the ATECO code. In short, the training path has a variable duration and is divided into several modules:
- 16 hours for activities classified as low risk
- 32 hours if the business is medium risk
- 48 hours for high-risk organisations
The modules cover regulatory, managerial, technical and relational aspects. The aim is not only to meet legal obligations, but to provide real operational and managerial skills.
The changes introduced by the 2025 agreement
In 2025 a new State-Regions Agreement came into force, introducing substantial changes to employer training. One of the main novelties is the introduction of a mandatory basic module also for those who do not intend to act as RSPP, but want to better understand safety in the workplace.
Additional modules have also been provided for certain productive sectors. This update aims to make courses better suited to the real needs of companies, avoiding generic and not very useful paths.
What to know about the transitional period
The introduction of the new rules was not immediate. A one-year transitional period was provided to ensure a gradual transition. During this time, companies can still complete courses started under the old arrangements. In addition, those who have already completed the training path under previous agreements are not required to repeat it, but remain bound by the periodic update.
The obligation of periodic updating
Every five years, an employer who has taken on the RSPP role must follow a refresher course to keep their qualification valid. Here too, the duration varies according to the risk associated with the activity. The update makes it possible to keep pace with legislative developments and with the evolution of good company practice. Failing to do so can lead to penalties or the loss of validity of the certificate.
Online training: when it is possible
In recent years, e-learning has made many training paths more accessible. Training for RSPP employers can also be carried out, in part, online. However, not all modules can be followed remotely. Depending on the type of content and the risk level, some modules necessarily require classroom or synchronous videoconference lessons. Refresher courses, on the other hand, are often fully available online, provided they meet the established criteria.
How to formalise the appointment as RSPP
Once the training path is completed, the employer must formalise their decision. This is done through a written act attesting the intention to take on the RSPP role. The document must be signed and kept with the company documentation, in particular attached to the DVR. In addition, the RLS (Workers’ Safety Representative) must be informed of the designation.
Practical duties of the employer RSPP
Those who decide to manage company safety personally must handle a series of operational activities. These include: analysing the risks present, designing prevention measures, drafting internal procedures, coordinating protective interventions, training employees and taking an active part in periodic meetings. These duties are added to those already required of every employer by the general regulations.
Can the employer also act as a teacher?
In some cases, an employer who has completed the RSPP course can carry out training activities within their own company. However, this possibility is limited to workers of the same company. In addition, the joint territorial bodies must be notified in advance. In any case, the training delivered must meet the minimum standards of quality, duration and content provided for by law.
Risks if the RSPP is not appointed
Failing to appoint an RSPP, or doing so incorrectly, exposes the company to serious consequences. In the event of an inspection or accident, the absence of a safety manager entails high administrative penalties and, in certain cases, criminal liability for the owner as well.
That is why it is essential not to underestimate this requirement. Prevention is not just a budget item, but a pillar of business continuity.
Why it pays to train personally
Choosing to take care of safety personally can represent a concrete investment. An employer who directly knows the risks, the regulations and the protection measures manages emergencies with greater readiness. It also fosters a more responsible and cohesive internal climate. Training, therefore, is not only an obligation: it is also a lever for organisational improvement.
Why investing in RSPP training is an important choice
Employer RSPP training is a fundamental piece in the modern management of any business. Besides meeting a regulatory obligation, it is a strategic choice that strengthens the entrepreneur’s role in protecting workers’ health and safety. If done with care, this training can become a concrete tool for efficiency, prevention and shared responsibility.
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