the european agency for safety and health at work birgit müller tallinn, 23.10.2008
TRANSCRIPT
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work
Birgit MüllerTallinn, 23.10.2008
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In this presentation…
Structure and responsibilities of the Agency EU statistics Community Strategy 2007-2012 Current projects Information campaigns Information resources
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EU-OSHA: an overview
Institution of the EU Commission Founded 1996 Located in Bilbao, Spain 60 experts from 15 MS Tripartite institution:
governments, employers and employees organisations
Europe-wide network of national focal points
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Promotion of safety and health at work Central EU information point Scientific, technical and economic publications Research and statistics on workplace risks Development of a prevention culture Cooperation with EU and international networks EU-wide information campaigns
EU-OSHA: objectives and tasks
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EU statistics
5.720 fatal workplace accidents/year (1) 159.500 occupational diseases leading to death/year (2)
Construction, agriculture, health care, transport, fisheries and SMEs most at risk Higher risks for young, old and migrant workers 28% of employees report work-related health problems (3)
(1) EUROSTAT 2005: Figure in recorded economic sectors covering 87% of the workforce in the 27 EU Member States.(2) ILO 2005: Figure is an estimation for EU27; http://www.ilo.org/public/english/protection/safework/wdcongrs17/index.htm(3) European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, Fourth European working conditions survey, 2007
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Challenges
Demographic developments New tendencies: more self-employed, subcontracting,
more SMEs Stronger migration to Europe More women on the labour market More musculo-skeletal and psychological diseases Faster innovation Precarious contracts
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Community Strategy of the EU Commission, 2007-2012*
Objectiveso Sustainable reduction of workplace accidents and diseaseso Reduce by 25% the total incidence rate of accidents at work
Instrumentso Provide a modern and efficient legal frameworko Development of national strategieso Support SMEs in implementing legislationo Encourage behavioural changeso Identify new and emerging riskso Motivate companies to go beyond legal requirementso Use economic incentives
(1) Community strategy 2007-2012 on health and safety at workhttp://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2007/com2007_0062en01.pdf
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EU-OSHA: Organisation
Governing boardGoverning board
Network SecretariatNetwork Secretariat Risk ObservatoryRisk Observatory Working EnvironmentWorking EnvironmentCommunication and
PromotionCommunication and
PromotionAdministrationAdministration
DIREKTORDIREKTORDIREKTORDIRECTOR
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EU-OSHA: Risk Observatory
Research on new and emerging risks Overview on occupational safety in Europe Coordination of EU research Provide discussion platform for politicians http://osha.europa.eu/en/riskobservatory
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EU-OSHA: Working environment
Promotion of good practice and information to employers/employees
Reports for OSH experts and policy makers Expert literature and material for European
campaigns
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EU-OSHA: Communication and Promotion
Planning and management of EU-wide information campaigns
Promotion of expert reports Website: content and technical management Monthly newsletter OSHmail Events and trade fairs
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EU-OSHA: current reports
Protecting workers in hotel, restaurants and catering Expert forecasts on new and emerging risks
o Physicalo Biologicalo Psychosocialo Chemical (early 2009)
Young workers Economic incentives related to OSH (under development)
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Expert forecast on psychosocial risks
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22% of EU employees suffer from stress (1)
Second most reported work-related health problem 50-60% of absences from work are related to stress Economic cost: EUR 20 billion (EU-15, 2002) Causes:
o New forms of work contractso Insecurityo Intensified worko High emotional demandso Violence at worko Poor work-life balance
Expert forecast on psychosocial risks
(1) European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, Fourth European working conditions survey, 2007
(2) European Commission, Guidance on work-related stress, 2002
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European campaigns
2000: Turn your Back on Musculoskeletal Disorders
2001: Success is no Accident
2002: Working on Stress
2003: Dangerous Substances – Handle with Care
2004: Building in Safety
2005: Stop that Noise!
2006: Safe Start
2007: Lighten the load
2008-2009: Risk assessment
2010-2011: Maintenance
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Risk assessment is the first step to safe and healthy workplaces
Since adoption of Directive Nr. 89/391 risk assessment is a legal obligation
Target groups: o SMEso Companies from dangerous sectorso OSH experts
Communication focus:o Raise awarenesso Promote more risk assessmentso Demystify the processo Quality counts! o Involve all persons at work o Ongoing processo Identify and promote good practice
Risk assessment campaign
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Certificate of participationo European Week (20.-24.10.2008)o Seminars, exhibitions, trainingso Cooperations between small and big companies
Partner offero Active promotion on EU-OSHA web siteo Newslettero To EU Media
Risk assessment campaign
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Risk assessment campaign
19 National partnership meetings 45 Stakeholder meetings 25 out of 27 Member States participate Total number of participants: 5850
3 press conferences 6 radio call-ins 8 journalist/expert round tables 16 national news releases 11 professional articles Already ~ 2 million publications
and promotion items distributed!
