1. 1 The Occupational Health and Safety Authority

2. 2 17, Edgar Ferro Street, Pieta’

3. 3 The future, mirrored in the past? OHSA Act brought fully into force on 29 th January 2002. Activities: Workplace visits – 5000 Equipment certificates vetted – 9000 Hours of training delivered – 2500 Staff development man hours – 4500 Press releases / letters to editors – 150 Sets of regulations published – 22

4. 4 Prosecutions (2005 data) Decided cases – 57 Pending cases – 49 New cases – 63 (Average number of Court Sessions per case: 2 – 3) (Fatal accidents – average number of sessions for compilation of evidence: 1/month)

5. 5 Other non visible activities: EU reporting duties bureaucratic systems (paperwork etc) liaisons with other local entities, Ministries, Government Departments attendance at meetings preparatory work for all events etc, etc

6. 6 Projects managed by OHSA Refurbishment of new premises – Lm300,000 UK/EIRE/Malta Twinning – 980,000euros Malta/UK/Europe Action Plan – 100,000euros 2 EU Agency for Safety& Health Projects – 120,000euros Transitional facility – 400,000euros SLIC Construction campaign – 50,000euros

7. 7 Other EU/Malta interactions At least three formal evaluation visits (OHS, Seveso, RaSSIA {Safety and Security of RA sources}) Multiple audits Participation in Working Groups / Parties (Indicators, Manual Handling of Loads, Hospital Sector, Construction, Committee of Competent Authorities) Participation in meetings of statutory bodies (SLIC, ACSH, EU Agency for Safety and Health, D.G.’s Meeting) Evaluation of LIs of other Member States (Greece, Italy)

8. 8 Other international organisations UN International Atomic Energy Agency WHO International Association of Labour Inspectorates

9. 9 Local groups Bulk storage of LPG Committee Civil Protection Scientific Committee Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control Committee Bio-safety Coordinating Committee Pesticides Control Board BICC etc

10. 10 Other activities NAPO / school visits Website (8172 visitors in May 2006) Construction campaign Organisation of European Weeks (4 weeks) Publication of leaflets Participation in TV / radio programmes SMEs Initiative Participation in Fairs (4), Exhibitions (6) Public Talks etc

11. 11 L.N. 371/2005 - Work Place (Minimum Health and Safety Requirements for the Protection of Workers from Risks resulting from Exposure to Vibration) Regulations, 2005L.N. 371/2005 - Work Place (Minimum Health and Safety Requirements for the Protection of Workers from Risks resulting from Exposure to Vibration) Regulations, 2005 L.N. 06/2005 - Control of Major Accident Hazards (Amendment) Regulations, 2005 L.N. 283/2004 - Protection of Young Persons at Work Places (Amendment) Regulations, 2004 L.N. 282/2004 - Work Equipment (Minimum Safety and Health Requirements) Reg., 2004 L.N. 281/2004 - Work Place (Minimum Health and Safety Requirements for Work at Construction Sites) Regulations, 2004 L.N. 185/2004 - Work Place (Minimum Health and Safety Requirements for the Protection of Workers from Risks arising from exposure to Noise) Regulations, 2004 L.N. 41/2004 - Work Place (Minimum Requirements for Work) (Confined Spaces and Spaces having Explosive Atmospheres) Regulations, 2004 L.N. 379/2003 -Protection of Workers in the Mineral Extracting Industries through Drilling and Workers in Surface and Underground Mineral Extracting Industries Regulations, 2003

12. 12 L.N. 228/2003 - Protection of Workers from Risks related to Exposure to Biological Agents at Work Regulations, 2003 L.N. 227/2003 - Protection of the Health and Safety of Workers from the Risks related to Chemical Agents at Work Regulations, 2003 L.N. 123/2003 - Protection of Workers from the Risks related to Exposure to Asbestos at Work Regulations, 2003 L.N. 122/2003 - Regulations on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work, 2003.N. 122/2003 - Regulations on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work, 2003 L.N. 121/2003 - Minimum requirements for the use of personal protective equipment at work regulations, 2003 L.N. 120/2003 - Regulations establishing a first list of indicative occupational exposure limit values on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work, 2003 L.N. 37/2003 - Control of Major Accident Hazard Regulations, 2003 Arrangement of Regulations

13. 13 L.N. 36/2003 - General Provisions for Health and Safety at Work Places Regulations, 2003 L.N. 35/2003 - Protection against Risks of Back Injury at Work Places Regulations, 2003 L.N. 34/2003 - Factories (Night Work by Women) (Repeal) Regulations, 2003 L.N. 45/2002 - Workplace (Provision of Health and, or Safety Signs) Regulations, 2002 L.N. 44/2002 - Workplace (Minimum Health and Safety Requirements) Regulations, 2002 L.N. 43/2002 - Minimum Health and Safety Requirements for Work with Display Screen Equipment Regulations, 2002 L.N. 11/2002 - Workplace (First Aid) Regulations, 2002 L.N. 10/2002 - Occupational Health and Safety Appeals Board (Procedural) Regulations, 2002 L.N. 92/2000 - Protection of Maternity at Work Places Regulations, 2000

14. 14 L.N. 91/2000 - Protection of Young Persons at Work Places Regulations, 2000 L.N. 52/1986 - Factories (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations, 1986 L.N. 25/1984 - Power Presses Regulations, 1984 L.N. 34/1976 - Steam and Hot Water Boilers Regulations, 1976 L.N. 96/1968 - Building (Safety) Regulations, 1968 L.N. 47/1964 - Factories (Hoists and Lifts) Regulations, 1964L.N. 47/1964 - Factories (Hoists and Lifts) Regulations, 1964 G.N. 340/1954 - Factories (Superintendence and Control of Plant) Regulations, 1954G.N. 340/1954 - Factories (Superintendence and Control of Plant) Regulations, 1954 Chapter 169 Factories Ordinance of 1953 - Dock Safety Regulations, 1953 Chapter 169 Factories Ordinance of 1949 - Factories (Woodworking Machinery) Regulations, 1949

15. 15 Pending legislation Amendment to noise legislation Amendment to asbestos legislation Amendment to OELs New legislation on optical radiation New legislation on EMF

16. 16 Pipeline EU projects Twinning Light – 2007 Healthy Workplace Initiative Leonardo e-learning initiative European Weeks 2006, 2007 etc Structural Funds – 3 initiatives European Inspection campaigns – Asbestos, Manual Handling, Construction Safety

17. 17 OHSA Construction Campaign Carried out in Spring / Autumn 2005 263 sites visited 4 OHS Officers involved Specific training to OHS officers given prior to campaign

18. 18 Percentage compliance at time of visit YesNo Prior Notice2179 H&S Plan987 Full compliance Broad compliance Limited compliance No compliance Falls from height 7293925 Falling objects10363420 PPE/Signage14322529 General ambience 24412015 Workplace transport 325882

19. 19 OHSA interventions Verbal orders59% Cessation of works 10% Prosecution31%

20. 20 EU OSH Strategy: 2007-2012 Salient features of ongoing discussion: In comparison with previous strategy, should be less ambitious, more achievable Should include clear, measurable objectives and targets To stress importance of OHS mainstreaming To focus on implementation of existing legislation Drive towards Better Regulation

21. 21 To seek alternative, equally successful enforcement systems To solicit more meaningful social involvement and participation To foster dialogue To be alert to new challenges and emerging risks EU OSH Strategy: 2007-2012

22. 22 1.An achievable strategy, with measurable objectives 2.OHS mainstreaming 3.Implementation of legislation 4.Better Regulation 5.Alternative enforcement systems 6.Dialogue and social participation 7.New challenges and emerging risks Malta’s framework strategy

23. 23 Synergism with unions OHS of mutual interest Keep yourselves informed Operating within parameters of legislation Workers’ Health and Safety Representatives Promote OHS Management systems – also in collective agreements Go through the proper channels OHS NOT an afterthought or to be used as an arm-bending mechanism: OR YOU LOSE CREDIBILITY

24. 24 In requesting OHSA assistance – be patient please – OHSA must prioritise its actions Promote/participate in OHSA initiatives eg EW activities Participate in OHS network Be proactive! Assist in identifying emerging risks – teleworking, changing contracts of employment

25. 25 THANK YOU