The update of Regulatory Standard No. 1 (NR-1), in force since May 26, 2026, represents one of the most significant changes in Occupational Health and Safety (OSH) management in recent years. For the first time, psychosocial risks are now mandatory inclusion in Occupational Risk Management (ORM), placing mental health on the same level as physical, chemical and biological risks on construction sites and throughout the civil construction sector.
What are psychosocial risks and why were they included in NR-1?
Psychosocial risks are factors related to work organization, environmental conditions and interpersonal relationships that can cause damage to workers' mental health. The new NR-1 makes the identification, evaluation and control of these factors mandatory within the Risk Management Program (PGR) of each project or company.
Among the main factors that must be evaluated are:
- Work overload and excessive deadlines
- Moral and sexual harassment in the workplace
- Chronic occupational stress and burnout syndrome
- Organizational conflicts and lack of leadership support
- Long working hours and lack of adequate breaks
- Insecurity about staying in a job
According to experts gathered by CBIC, the inclusion of these factors in the GRO reflects a paradigm shift: what was previously treated as a behavioral or personal issue is now recognized as an occupational risk that requires documented preventive actions, with defined responsibilities and established deadlines.
How to implement psychosocial risk management in construction
Practical implementation requires companies to follow a structured approach, similar to that already used for physical and chemical risks. The first step is to survey risk factors through anonymous questionnaires, interviews and direct observation of working conditions.
Data analysis must consider the specific reality of each company. As advised by Juliana Oliveira, Occupational Safety Manager at Seconci-DF, the results must be evaluated by Homogeneous Exposure Group (GHE), function, sector or activity, as different groups may be exposed to different psychosocial risks. This approach makes the assessment more accurate and allows for more effective preventive measures.
To comply with the new NR-1, companies must:
- Update the PGR including the psychosocial risk matrix
- Define monitoring indicators, such as absenteeism and turnover rates
- Establish reporting and reception channels for harassment cases
- Train leaders to identify signs of mental overload and suffering
- Document all actions with deadlines and responsible parties, as required by the standard
- Periodically review the program based on the results obtained
Deadlines, responsibilities and the role of outsourced companies
The mandatory inclusion of psychosocial risks in the GRO came into force on May 26, 2026, without an additional adaptation period. This means that companies are already subject to inspection and can be fined if they do not present documentation proving the management of these risks.
An important point of attention is shared responsibility when there are outsourced companies operating in the same environment. The contractor must ensure that outsourced companies also manage the psychosocial risks of their own employees, integrating the actions into the enterprise's general GRO. The lack of alignment between the parties can generate gaps in worker protection and significant labor liabilities.
For construction companies and developers, the recommendation is to start the diagnosis as soon as possible, even if the PGR is already updated. The standard requires that control measures be proportional to the identified risk — from simple organizational actions, such as improving internal communication, to more structured interventions, such as mental health programs and psychological support.
Next steps for adaptation
The new NR-1 requires immediate action from OSH professionals and construction leaders. Invest in training, update your documents and ensure that your team is prepared for this new regulatory reality. Node CanalVIP catalog you will find management tools and software that can help you implement GRO and monitor occupational risks in your projects.