1. 3rd ACSH WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL OSH STRATEGIES: Lessons learned – Revised versions of nat. OSH Strategies Luxembourg, September 2016
Panel 3 – latest tools or instruments in national Strategies to improve OSH in SMEs

2. Facilitator: Isabel Maya Rubio (EMP) Expert: Malgorzata Milczareck(EU-OSHA) Rapporteur: Martin den Held (GOV) IGs speakers: Christina Jarnstedt (W) Martin O’Dea (GOV) Mario van Mierlo (EMP)
3rd ACSH WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL OSH STRATEGIES Luxembourg, September 2016
Panel 3 – Latest tools or instruments in national strategies to improve OSH in SMEs

3. Panel 3 - Latest tools or instruments in nat
Panel 3 - Latest tools or instruments in nat. Strategies to improve OSH in SMEs
OSH is mostly in the hands of the SMEs
Most of the workers are employed in SMEs
49.6% of the European workers are employed in companies under 50 employees
However, enhancing the capacity of micro and small enterprises to put in place effective and efficient risk prevention measures is still a challenge
3rd ACSH WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL OSH STRATEGIES Luxembourg, September 2016
Panel 3 – Latest tools or instruments in national strategies to improve OSH in SMEs

4. Disclosure of new regulations
Which are the burdens?
Complexity
Bureaucracy
Technicalization of issues
Business case difficult to prove
Access to individual companies
Disclosure of new regulations
Very limited resources
Availability and cost of specialized advise
3rd ACSH WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL OSH STRATEGIES Luxembourg, September 2016
Panel 3 – Latest tools or instruments in national strategies to improve OSH in SMEs

5. Reduction of bureaucracy
Which are the solutions / strategies?
Simplification
Reduction of bureaucracy
Guidance
Incentives
Networks
Specifically adapted tools
Practical solutions
Support
New challenges
3rd ACSH WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL OSH STRATEGIES Luxembourg, September 2016
Panel 3 – Latest tools or instruments in national strategies to improve OSH in SMEs

6. SME Legislation simplification and administrative burden reduction
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK ON HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK
REFIT
EX – POST EVALUATION OF OSH LEGISLATIVE ACQUIS
3rd ACSH WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL OSH STRATEGIES Luxembourg, September 2016
Panel 3 – Latest tools or instruments in national strategies to improve OSH in SMEs

7. Legislation simplification and administrative burden reduction
The European Commission carries out the REFIT program – Regulatory Fitness and Performance.
How can this process be channeled to help SMEs comply with OSH legislation?
Where are improvements needed to ensure that regulation is easier for SMEs to apply?
How have administrative burdens been reduced in the Member States?
3rd ACSH WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL OSH STRATEGIES Luxembourg, September 2016
Panel 3 – Latest tools or instruments in national strategies to improve OSH in SMEs

8. Voluntary systems and actions to go beyond legislative requirements - benefits for business?
Big companies and corporations are increasingly going beyond their legal requirements on a voluntary basis in aspects related to OSH: developing Corporate Social Responsibility practices, wellness plans, driving safety, voluntary OSH management systems…
These initiatives are in many cases difficult to put in practice by SMEs, as the costs (that may be assumed by big companies due to scale economy), suppose a bigger effort for SMEs.
3rd ACSH WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL OSH STRATEGIES Luxembourg, September 2016
Panel 3 – Latest tools or instruments in national strategies to improve OSH in SMEs

9. Voluntary systems and actions to go beyond legislative requirements - benefits for business?
How can SMEs be guided and supported to devise cost-effective voluntary initiatives/ systems that make improvements in OSH without creating a heavy burdens?
Should initiatives/systems devised for companies at large include from their very design consideration of how they should be specifically applied to SMEs to achieve the same objectives, but avoiding additional burdens? Is it good to keep promoting certification?
Does certification make a positive contribution for companies, workers and society?

10. Specific tools for SMEs Some examples of practical tools for SMEs
Digital risk assessment
By branches: OiRA, national tools developed by Member States
For Specific Risks: E.g. tools to manage chemicals risk assessment
Best Practices Manuals
Specialized advice
Free specialized advice from national institutions
Training tools
E-Training
3rd ACSH WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL OSH STRATEGIES Luxembourg, September 2016
Panel 3 – Latest tools or instruments in national strategies to improve OSH in SMEs

11. Practical tools for SMEs Incentives and SMEs
Incentives to employers
EU-OSHA: “How to create economic incentives in occupational safety and health: A practical guide
State subsidies, grants, financing
Finantial payments
Favorable access to finance conditions
Inc. based on tax systems / tax structures
Reduction in taxes to employers that fulfill requirements
Insurance premium variation
Reduction of premium
Return of part of paid premiums
Non financial incentives
Certification of OSH system
Awards
Incentives to employees: Friend or foe?
3rd ACSH WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL OSH STRATEGIES Luxembourg, September 2016
Panel 3 – Latest tools or instruments in national strategies to improve OSH in SMEs

12. Practical tools for SMEs
SMEs need specific tools to help them in the application of OSH provisions. These tools may be technical tools, aimed to facilitate (and when appropriate, simplify) the activities of risk assessment, risk management measures and training. On the other hand, other tools like incentive systems may help SMEs to find an economical support to the OSH activities.
Which are the characteristics required for good practical tools and incentive systems to be applicable to SMEs?
Which examples can be usefully discussed at EU level?
3rd ACSH WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL OSH STRATEGIES Luxembourg, September 2016
Panel 3 – Latest tools or instruments in national strategies to improve OSH in SMEs

13. New and complex risks
Complex risks, i.e. those that require qualified technical skills for assessment and management, such as psychosocial risks, EMFs, nanomaterials or chemicals, require specific resources to meet the OSH requirements.
It is not feasible that all SMEs have those resources. In these cases, accessible external resources may be needed by SMEs, however they can be very costly
How can SMEs be helped/guided in facing complex risks?
Is there a role for public policies in this area?
How can SMEs be helped in terms of stress prevention and other mental disorders derived from psychosocial factors?
How do public health policies interact with occupational health?
3rd ACSH WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL OSH STRATEGIES Luxembourg, September 2016
Panel 3 – Latest tools or instruments in national strategies to improve OSH in SMEs

14. Internationalization of enterprises
SMEs need specific tools to help them in the application of OSH provisions. These tools may be technical tools, aimed to facilitate (and when appropriate, simplify) the activities of risk assessment, risk management measures and training. On the other hand, other tools like incentive systems may help SMEs to find an economical support to the OSH activities.
3rd ACSH WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL OSH STRATEGIES Luxembourg, September 2016
Panel 3 – Latest tools or instruments in national strategies to improve OSH in SMEs

15. Internationalization of enterprises
How can we go forward to avoid barriers to SMEs operating internationally?
What are the potential benefits, risks and obstacles of moving to a harmonization or better coordination of the training requirements of workers and OSH professionals or health surveillance systems at EU level?
Should a common structure and contents of training of workers be designed at EU level?
Could this system also incorporate sharing tools in order to avoid repetition of training activities for the same workers?
How should the privacy rights of workers be protected in that case?
3rd ACSH WORKSHOP ON NATIONAL OSH STRATEGIES Luxembourg, September 2016
Panel 3 – Latest tools or instruments in national strategies to improve OSH in SMEs