Initially called the Conseil québécois de la santé et de la sécurité pour l'industrie des textiles primaires, Préventex was the first joint sector-based association created in the private sector under the Act respecting occupational health and safety (S-2.1).

On October 22^nd, 1981, the Board of Directors of the Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CSST), the Quebec Health and Safety Commission, adopted resolution A-170-81 ratifying an agreement between the Canadian Textile Institute and the Collectif intersyndical des employés des textiles primaires du Québec (an association of unions of the primary textile industry) that was to lead to the creation of the joint sector-based association of health and safety for the textile and knitting industry.

Renamed Préventex - Association paritaire du textile in 1989, the association is an independent, non-profit organisation financed by contributions from the industry. Its services are offered at little or no cost to companies of the textile and knitting sector.

Préventex is a partner in prevention of all parties concerned by occupational health and safety within the Quebec textile industry. Companies benefit from the expertise and skill of dynamic, specialized consultants who are in tune with the needs of their clientele and peers.