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| EU’s strategy for health and safety at work | |||||||||
In its next series of monitoring reports, EPTDA is proud to present you the 5th report on "EU’s Strategy for Health and Safety at Work". Especially for the Power in Motion readers, EPTDA publishes an introductory version, whereas the members of EPTDA can count each time on a more detailed report. | |||||||||
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For a labour-intensive industry such as the power transmission industry, it is important to be aware of these developments. One of the main goals of the strategy, entitled "Improving quality and productivity at work", is to reduce by 25% work-related accidents. Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Vladimír ·pidla said: "By bolstering productivity and quality at work, we will boost European growth and competitiveness." The Commission's proposals aim to ensure the implementation of current health-and-safetyat- work legislation, instead of adding new rules. They aim to achieve a continuous reduction in accidents and occupational illnesses through consolidating a risk-prevention culture, the better application of existing law and a global approach to well being at work. The 2007 strategy proposes to:
The Commission says that Member States have made real progress in drawing national action programmes, resulting in a fall of 17% in the number of fatal accidents in the EU-15. The number of accidents leading to absences of more than three days has also fallen: 20%. The Commission, however, recognises that accidents are not being reduced in a uniform way. Some industries, such as the construction and engineering, are still more vulnerable. Also of concern to EPTDA members is the heightened vulnerability of SMEs, which have "fewer resources to put complex systems of worker protection into place". Along with changing demographics and growing immigrant populations, increased employment in SMEs represents an important challenge, the Commission says. Safety policies also need to recognise the increased number of women in the workplace. In 2004, the Commission conducted a report on how legislation - the directive 89/391/EEC - was being implemented. It found "serious shortcoming", particularly in areas affecting the most vulnerable workers, such as those working on short-term contracts for SMEs. As a result, the Commission said that it would provide extra support to Member States to ensure compliance and be more vigilant. It also said that infringement proceeding were a possibility. The Commission’s latest proposals, which were outlined in a Communication, were adopted by the European Council on 30 May, 2007. The Council endorsed the need for developing an overall approach in order to achieve an ongoing, sustainable and consistent reduction in accidents at work and occupational illnesses. The Council also emphasised the importance of recognising good work and its underlying principles (for example, workers' rights and participation, equal opportunities, safety and health protection).
Focus on prevention The European Agency for Health and Safety will be required to review the extent to which health and safety aspects have been incorporated into Member States' vocational and occupational training policies. Member States are called on to make wider use of the European Social Fund and other Community funds for developing training projects. Companies that invest in prevention obtain results:
The Commission encourages Member States to make provision in their national strategies for specific initiatives enabling enterprises, in particular SMEs to be given technical assistance and advice concerning the promotion of workers' health. The development of awareness may be reinforced, particularly in SMEs, by providing incentives for prevention measures. The emphasis on training for blue-collar working is likely to have an impact on the European power transmission industry. Also the special focus on the challenges facing SMEs will impact on EPTDA members, many of which are SMEs. For the detailed report, log on today to www.eptda.org Members Only section. | |||||||||
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Copyright © 2008 Thomas Publishing Company