Occupational health and safety management in Brazil has undergone a significant transformation. The old PPRA (Environmental Risk Prevention Program) has been replaced by the PGR (Risk Management Program), according to the new wording of NR-1. More than just a change in acronym, this represents a new approach to worker protection—and your company needs to comply.
The PPRA, which was in effect for decades, focused only on environmental risks: physical, chemical, and biological agents. The PGR expands this scope to encompass all occupational risks, including ergonomic factors, accidents, and, starting in May 2025, psychosocial risks—such as stress, workplace harassment, and work overload.
Another important difference: while the PPRA required annual review, the PGR must be a living document, updated whenever there are changes in working conditions. Formal review occurs every two years (or three, for companies with OHS management certification).
Every company with CLT (Consolidation of Labor Laws) employees is required to prepare a PGR (Risk Management Program), regardless of size or sector. The exception is for MEIs (Individual Microentrepreneurs) and micro and small businesses that do not expose workers to chemical, physical, or biological agents.
Ministry of Labor and Employment Ordinance No. 1,419/2024 formally included psychosocial risks in the PGR (Risk Management Program). This means that abusive targets, excessive working hours, lack of support, and toxic environments must be mapped and controlled. The numbers justify the measure: in 2024, more than 472,000 Brazilians took leave from work due to mental health disorders.
Attention: Until May 2026, the monitoring of psychosocial risks will have an educational character. But the obligation already exists — and companies must begin to adapt now.
Failure to comply with NR-1 can result in fines ranging from R$1,799.39 to R$6,708.08 per infraction, amounts that increase according to the size of the company and the number of recurrences. In serious cases, the penalty can reach 50 times the reference value. In addition to fines, there is a risk of activity shutdowns, actions by the Labor Prosecutor's Office, and liability in labor lawsuits.
What your company should do
- Develop the Risk Management Plan (PGR) with a documented Risk Inventory and Action Plan;
- Include psychosocial risks in the assessment;
- Involve workers in identifying risks;
- Keep your documents updated and integrated with eSocial;
- Seek specialized legal advice to ensure compliance.
Companies that anticipate these issues will avoid fines and, more importantly, build safer and healthier work environments — an increasingly valued competitive advantage.