The new strategy builds upon the evaluation of the previous Community strategy on health and safety at work 2002-2006 and on European legislations on the matter. It is worth noting that the European Union has legislative competence on health and safety at the work place (based on article 137 of the EU Treaty).
According to the Commission’s strategy, fatal accidents from 2002 to 2004 have dropped by 17% and the rate of workplace accidents leading to absences of more than three days has fallen by 20%. However progress remains uneven across different countries and sectors: some categories of workers are still overexposed (eg young workers, migrant and older workers), certain types of companies are more vulnerable (eg SMEs), certain sectors are particularly dangerous.
The Strategy identifies challenges to be addressed in the future such as migrant workers, demographic change ane new employment strands.
Proposed actions
In order to achieve a 25% overall reduction of occupational accidents and diseases in the EU, the European Commission has identified the following series of actions at European and national level:
Improving and simplifying existing legislation and enhancing its implementation in practice through non-binding instruments such as exchange of good practices, awareness-raising campaigns and better information and training.
Defining and implementing national strategies adjusted to the specific context of each Member State. These strategies should target the sectors and companies most affected and fix national targets for reducing occupational accidents and illness.
Mainstreaming of health and safety at work in other national and European policy areas (education, public health, research) and finding new synergies.
Better identifying and assessing potential new risks through more research, exchange of knowledge and practical application of results.
Linkages with other health-specific initiatives
More specifically, the Strategy calls upon Member States to improve the preventive effectiveness of health surveillance. They point out that the healty care system should play a leading role of the matter, as well as healthcare professionals.
The European Commission Strategy will also take into account the results of the consultation on the Green paper on smoke-free environments, as well as the results of the consultation on Mental Health.
In its response to the Green paper on mental health, EPHA called upon the European Commission to mainstream mental health and well-being into other policy areas, especially in policies directly impacting on the work place.
The European Social Fund will also play an important role in health and safety at the work place.
The European Agency for Health and Safety (OSHA) will be requested to review whether health and safety aspects are incorporated into Member States’ vocational and occupational training policies. They will also disseminate information to support the development of awareness raising campaigns.
In addition, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions will be commissioned to assess the effectiveness of these campaigns. In its position paper on the Public Health Programme, EPHA questioned the effectiveness of wide information campaigns.
The research agenda will also be used to identify new risks. Among others, the research priorities include psychological issues and exposure to chemicals.
It should be noted that although mental health is strongly emphasised in the Strategy, alcohol at the workplace and the alcohol strategy are not mentioned.
Employment, Social, Health and consumer affairs council’s resolution, 30 May 2007
The Council resolution welcomes the strategy and stresses the importance of Good Work. Although it emphasises the role of the health and healthcare systems, there is no mention of stress, nor mental health at the work place.
Decent Work - Safe Work: a global report on work-related accidents and ill health
