1. Health and safety at work in the EU-
Health and safety at work in the EU
Erika Koller
Member of the EESC Group II

2. Health and safety at work
is one of the areas where the EU has had the biggest impact – with a solid legal framework covering the maximum number of risks with the minimum number of regulations.
As set out by principle 10 of the European Pillar of Social Rights, workers have the right to a high level of protection of their health and safety at work, as well as the right to a working environment adapted to their professional needs and which enables them to prolong their participation in the labour market. 

3. Legal basis
Article 153 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union gives the EU the authority to adopt legislation (directives) in the field of safety and health at work, in order to support and complement the activities of Member States.
Directive 89/391/EEC, the so-called OSH “Framework Directive”, lays down the main principles to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work. It guarantees minimum safety and health requirements throughout Europe while Member States are allowed to maintain or establish more stringent measures.

4. The Framework Directive
The Framework Directive is accompanied by further directives focusing on specific aspects of safety and health at work. Together they form the fundamentals of European safety and health legislation

5. Directives per topic
Workplaces, equipment, signs, personal protective equipment
Exposure to chemical agents and chemical safety
Exposure to physical hazards
Exposure to biological agents
Provisions on workload, ergonomical and psychosocial risks
Sector specific and worker related provisions

6. EU Institutions of Social Partnership/ Social Dialogue
ACHS – Advisory Committee Health and Safety at Work
EU-OSHA is the European Union information agency for occupational safety and health

7. ACHS – Advisory Committee Health and Safety at Work
It gives opinions on EU initiatives in the area of OSH (e.g. draft proposals for new legislation,  EU programmes/strategies, and any other EU initiatives having an impact on OSH policy)
Contributs pro-actively to identifying OSH policy priorities and to establishing relevant programmes and strategies
Encourages the exchange of views and experiences between Member States and stakeholders, connecting the EU and national levels.

8. EU-OSHA
EU-OSHA is the European Union information agency for occupational safety and health
Its work contributes to the European Commission’s Strategic Framework for Safety and Health at work   and other relevant EU strategies and programmes, such as Europe 2020
It has tripartite national focal points
National focal points work to achieve these goals, run the European campaigns

9. Role of the Social Partners
The European Social Partners play a vital role in the European decision-making process in the field of safety and health at work, as they have to be consulted at various stages.
The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union also foresees the possibility of concluding autonomous agreements.
European social dialogue has resulted in the adoption of several autonomous agreements.

10. An autonomous agreement of Social partners on H&S
the European social partners have concluded an autonomous agreement, whereby they themselves take responsibility for implementing measures at national, sectoral and enterprise level.
Four autonomous agreements have been negotiated the work-related stress (2004)

11. The role of the EESC
The EESC is the advisory body of the European Commission, Council and the Parliament
it prepares opinions on the legislative proposals of the above institutions and own-initiative opinions

12. EESC opinions on H&S
Health and Safety at Work – Strategic Framework
Protection from carcinogens or mutagens at work
European Labour Authority
Will be adopted soon:
Summary of the costs and benefits of Investments in occupational safety and health -2019

13. The responsibility of the member states
The transposition of the Community directives into the national law
Implementation of the EU regulations
Ensuring labour inspection

14. Responsibility of employers
Providing and maintaining a safe workplace which uses safe plant and equipment
Risk prevention – to inform the workers about the risks
Providing instruction and training to employees on health and safety
Providing protective clothing and equipment to employees

15. Responsibility of employees
Taking reasonable care to protect the health and safety of themselves and of other people in the workplace
Cooperating with employers on H&S issues, following safe work policies and procedures
Reporting any defects in the place of work or equipment which might be a danger to health and safety

16. Recommendations I. The key of the success is in the partnership
Results can only be achieved together!
Social Dialogue and collective bargaining are crucial
The role of the civil society is also important in implementation of OSH policies

17. Recommendations II.
Prevention is the best and the cheapest way to minimalise the accidents at workplaces
Investments in OSH contribute not only the wellbeing of workers, results cost reduction, greater productivity and sustainabilty of social security sytems. It effects also workers’ families
According to a research the the cost/benefit ratio of investment in OSHA is 1,36:2,70

18. Thank you for the attention!