Assessment of the occupational risk management system in Moroccan companies: strengths and weaknesses

The purpose of this study is to update current knowledge about occupational risks in companies in Morocco, to highlight the efforts made and the constraints in this area, and to propose recommendations to improve the management of occupational risks and working conditions. Our data come from a survey (self-administered questionnaire) about risk management in 40 Moroccan companies operating in various sectors. We refer in this study to the legislative texts of the Moroccan labor code (law 65-99). Our work has four main components covering the corporate risk management system: 1) human resources, 2) risks to the environment, 3) risks to people and 4) company property. Risk management in Moroccan companies is fairly poor, and several impediments must be overcome. Some of the companies surveyed have neither independent nor shared (with other companies) medical services. The business environment also has serious weaknesses. Several companies do not yet have strict measures in place to preserve their natural environment. We offer several recommendations to improve this situation, including: reducing occupational risks of harm to the company's people and assets by introducing appropriate prevention and protection measures; mitigating risks and negative impacts on the environment through better management of harmful discharges; complying with the regulatory provisions of the Labor Code and generalizing workers' social and medical coverage.