The recent seismic events that occurred in Central Italy in May 2012 highlighted the vulnerability of prefabricated buildings constructed without seismic design criteria. These events triggered a renewed focus on the critical issue of workplace safety.
In 2003, Italy underwent a new seismic mapping that eliminated the unclassified zone. Therefore, even low-risk areas are now all considered to be at potential seismic risk.
From 2003 to 2009, there were several extensions on the enforcement of these regulations, with various standards coexisting for a time. It was only after the L’Aquila earthquake that they became definitive.
Thus, in addition to prefabricated buildings constructed before 2003, even some buildings erected up to 2009 may have significant seismic vulnerabilities, as they were not designed for such events.
Buildings must comply not only with technical standards but also with specific workplace safety regulations.
Legislative Decree 81/2008 and subsequent amendments
Articles 17 and 28 of Legislative Decree 81/2008 and subsequent amendments, “Consolidated Act on Occupational Health and Safety”, require that all risks to health and safety—including earthquakes—be assessed. Therefore, current law mandates that employers perform a risk assessment that includes potential seismic events. The Ministry of Labour also issued a press release explicitly urging employers to ensure the structural integrity of workplaces in the event of an earthquake. Standard documents such as compliance certificates or occupancy permits alone are not sufficient to guarantee safety.
Moreover, Article 29 of the same decree requires that risk assessments be carried out in accordance with the latest developments in technology, prevention, and protection. Today’s scientific and technical advances allow for highly effective and at the same time non-invasive seismic retrofitting. As such, companies should rely on competent technicians or qualified providers like C.T.SAFE to carefully analyze their situation, identify real risks, and above all, implement any necessary measures to improve the safety conditions of buildings.
Following the earthquake in Emilia, the approach to liability in the event of a seismic event has changed. The Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, with regard to workplace safety—especially in the Emilia-Romagna region—clarified that the stability and structural soundness of buildings is a clearly required safety condition in Annex IV of Legislative Decree 81/2008, which governs health and safety in the workplace. Failure to meet this requirement is criminally punishable, and no waiver can nullify such a penalty.
Given this scenario, it is wise and prudent to evaluate the need for seismic safety measures or to plan improvement/retrofitting interventions.