Coordination of Business Activities (CAE): key to safety on site

At SOCOTEC, as specialists in Testing, Inspection and Certification, we understand that CAE transcends regulatory compliance to become a strategic tool that reduces accidents and optimizes operational processes in the construction sector.

_{What is the Coordination of Business Activities?}

The Coordination of Business Activities (CAE) is a legal obligation set out in Royal Decree 171/2004 of 30 January, which develops Article 24 of Law 31/1995 on the Prevention of Occupational Risks. However, its importance goes far beyond the regulatory framework.

It is essential to understand that the CAE is not limited to the exchange of Health and Safety Plans, nor to the control of administrative or preventive documentation of workers who access the workspace. It is a dynamic and specific process that must be adapted to the particularities of each business competition situation.

SOCOTEC's experience shows that the Coordination of Business Activities is a fundamental mechanism to prevent occupational accidents when multiple companies converge in the same construction project. It is not a mere administrative procedure, but an essential tool for safety on site.

Legal framework of the CAE in construction

 Royal Decree 171/2004 establishes the bases for business coordination in occupational risk prevention, complemented by the  specific Health and Safety Plans for each construction project. This regulation shows that the CAE is not exclusive to construction, covering any situation where companies from different activities converge.

Operational Flexibility in the CAE

The analysis of real cases demonstrates the remarkable adaptability of the CAE system  to diverse operational contexts. Coordination between different works requires an approach based on spatial and temporal separation, while in projects with multiple contractors working simultaneously, the strategy focuses on active interference management.

Time planning varies significantly depending on the context: from specific coordinations for specific activities to detailed daily planning that specifies work sequences, communication protocols and specific preventive measures for each phase contemplated in the Health and Safety Plans.

Fundamental Elements for the Success of the CAE

In all configurations of Business Activities Coordination , it is essential to establish:

• Comprehensive control systems with clear definitions of business responsibilities
• Detailed time planning with daily business sequencing and coordination of critical activities
• Specific identification of personnel, machinery and auxiliary means by company, avoiding conflicts of use
• Identification of shared spaces and resources, including differentiated transit areas for pedestrians and rolling machinery, and supply points
• Establishment of secure storage areas differentiated by companies and specialized workshops
• Emergency protocols with scheduled drills and specific responsibilities by areas contemplated in the Health and Safety Plans

Critical Success Factors in CAE

Successful coordinations incorporate proactive monitoring systems through:

• Regular Business Activities Coordination Meetings
• Comprehensive identification of risks by specific generators
• Determination of comprehensive preventive measures in Health and Safety Plans

Active Participation and Leadership

A key element of success lies in the active participation in coordination meetings of people with productive, preventive, and effective leadership responsibilities. These professionals must have the real capacity to make operational decisions and, fundamentally, to transfer and enforce the instructions agreed upon to the teams on site.

The presence of interlocutors without executive capacity seriously compromises the effectiveness of the entire system of Coordination of Business Activities.

Structured Communication

Communication is the most significant differentiating factor for safety on site:

• Change notifications at least 24 hours in advance
• Accurate documentation of emergencies with specific business identification
• Monitoring of all machine movements by skilled workers
• Prior communication between companies for modifications of collective protections

The protocols establish that "in the event of an emergency, the specific name of the company to which the area belongs, the personnel and where the emergency has occurred, without a doubt, will be recorded".

Business Responsibilities in the CAE

Each company participating in the Coordination of Business Activities maintains non-delegable responsibilities:

• Access control during your working day with notification of the cessation of activities
• Liability for damage to equipment, material and human caused by it
• Accident notification within a maximum period of 24 hours to safety managers
• The right to intervene in the work dynamics of other companies if safety on site requires it

SOCOTEC: Experts in Business Activity Coordination

SOCOTEC's experience confirms that the success of the CAE in construction depends on:

1. Systematic adaptability to each specific typology
2. Implementation of systematic controls integrated into Health and Safety Plans
3. Maintaining effective communication channels
4. Mutual respect between all participating companies

The Coordination of Business Activities transcends regulatory compliance, becoming a strategic tool that demonstrates that safety on site and operational efficiency are complementary objectives in modern business management.