Project “Identifying Common Interests for Social Dialogue in the Waste Industry” Mathias Maucher Policy Officer “Health and Social Services” European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU) EPSU/Municipal Waste Europe Seminar on Health and Safety in the Waste Industry: An avenue for cooperation between social partners? Brussels, 14 February 2012 Directive 2010/32/EU “Prevention of sharps injuries”: Process towards adoption + Key features + Follow up

Framework Agreement on the prevention of sharps injuries in the hospital and health care sector (17 July 2009) Prior to 2006: EP debate and resolution on the prevention of blood-borne infections due to needle-stick injuries : 1 st Stage Consultation of Social Partners 7 February 2008: Technical Seminar (presentation of case studies; insight in complexity and urgency of problem) : 2 nd Stage Consultation of Social Partners 26 January 2009: Start of 9 months negotiation period EC suspends own legislative proposal Appearance before EP, expressing displeasure about social partners’ involvement/”hijacking” of dossier 2 June 2009: Agreement + 17 July 2009: Signature EC film on policy process:

Directive 2010/32/EU on the prevention of sharps injuries in the hospital and health care sector (10 May 2010) 25 January 2010: Invitation of European social partners to European Council Social Questions Working Party Implementing the Framework Agreement + Making it legally binding (=> Art. 155(2) TFEU) as of 11 May 2013 Sets out an integrated approach with various key features o Risk assessment (technology: instruments/devices; work organisation; working conditions; level of qualifications; work- related psycho-social factors; working environment o Elimination, prevention and protection from exposure to risks (safe procedures; use of medical devices with safety-engineered protection mechanisms; ban of recapping; safe disposal) o Information and awareness-raising (also for cleaning personnel!) o Training (policies/procedures; induction for all new/temporary staff) o Reporting (based on local, national, EU-wide reporting systems) o Response (care for injured; investigation into causes) and follow up

What have European social partners done since adoption of directive? (1) Meeting of European social partners with European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (OSHA) in Bilbao (11 May 2011) to exchange on mutual expectations for and to discuss options of cooperation How can this be done, by building on OSHA’s networks, dissemination channels and production capacities? o Database of relevant research (studies; articles) o Awareness-raising o Dissemination (webpage; newsletter; targeted mailings) o Production of material (such as fact sheets, handbooks, toolkits, training guides, audiovisual material) in different languages o Helping to reach out to national stakeholders through OSHA’s national focal points (having a tripartite structure) => Towards deliverables and commitments: Cooperation with OSHA in 2012 and 2013 in a framework of a planned project

What have European social partners done since adoption of directive? (2) Contribution to WHO seminars (Geneva & Bonn) and to 2 nd European Biosafety Summit (Dublin, 1 June 2011) Participation in two workshops (Berlin, 5 and 6 May 2011 & Frankfurt/Main, 14 and 15 November 2011) organised by the Aesculap Academie, involving OSH experts and relevant stakeholders, aiming at the elaboration of practical guidance (handbook) for those working on the ground (health workers and middle management) Coordination meeting with relevant stakeholders and affiliates to coordinate activities, production of material, events and project work (Brussels, 25 October 2011) Sensitivisation of own members on their responsibility and role to promote/be involved in transposition process To be done: Dissemination to all MS of Joint Clarification (4 February 2010) elaborated for European Council

What do European social partners plan to do in the near future? Discussion between HOSPEEM and ESPU and with other stakeholders about activities/initiatives to support the effective implementing of Directive 2010/32/EU o Identification and dissemination of existing material (elaborated by HOSPEEM or EPSU members, the European Biosafety Network, an expert group linked to Aesculap Academie, OSHA) o Preparation of project proposal to be submitted by EPSU and HOSPEEM for co-funding by DG EMPL (in March 2012) o Format: Regional workshops and final conference o Topics: awareness raising, dissemination of information, risk assessment, training, reporting, safety devices Using the SSDC HS to do survey about state of play as to implementation and their involvement in different MS Strengthening role of social partners in the field of OSH, if need be institutionalising their involvement in all MS