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Introduction to OSH (Occupational Safety and Health)
Occupational safety and health is about preventing people from being harmed or made ill through work. It is the discipline concerned with preserving and protecting human and other resources in the workplace.
Standards of occupational safety and health (OSH) are normally set in legislation, and governments have long recognised that poor occupational safety and health performance results in costs to the State through social security, industrial injuries and other compensation payments; medical costs for treatment; and, through the loss of production. Above all, there can be a significant impact on the employability of the worker, and on families, friends and colleagues.
In the EU, the legislative framework is established by the European Commission through a series of European Directives based in Article 137 of the EU Treaty, giving the EU authority to legislate in this field. Directive 89/391/EEC, or the Framework Directive, sets the general principles for effective safety and health at work with other EU laws addressing specific issues such as chemical agents, noise, pregnant workers and so on.
Member States have been enforcing authorities to ensure that the legal requirements relating to occupational safety and health are met. In many EU countries, there is also strong cooperation between the social partners - employers and worker organisations, and government - to ensure good OSH performance, as it is recognised that this has substantial benefits for the safety, health and wellbeing of workers; and, the productivity and wellbeing of enterprises.
Controlling risks at work is no different from any other task - you need to recognise problems, know enough about them, decide what to do and act on the solutions. The basis of an effective OSH system is to have a comprehensive legal framework based on good technical and scientific advice; a prevention strategy based on information, education and training; effective enforcement; and, a capacity to research current and new issues.
Every five seconds, an EU worker is involved in a work-related accident,
and every two hours one worker dies in an accident at work.
What is the role of the Agency?
Addressing the diversity of occupational safety and health (OSH) issues and the need for awareness at grassroots level are beyond the resources and expertise of a single Member State. That is why in 1996 the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work was set up: to collect, analyse and promote OSH-related information. The Agency's mission is to make Europe's workplaces safer, healthier and more productive, and in particular to promote an effective workplace prevention culture.
Getting the message across
The Agency uses a variety of communication channels to get the safety message across: from direct campaigning to on-line publications. Staying directly in touch with citizens and workers across Europe has always been a key objective for the Agency. We reach them through awareness raising campaigns, such as the European Week for Safety and Health at Work. The European Week is officially announced in the spring, and culminates in October, when the Agency's national campaign partners run numerous activities and events across Europe. They all focus on a single theme selected each year. Examples of themes from previous years include dangerous substances, accidents, stress and noise. With more than 30 countries participating, and some 4 million information materials distributed in 20 languages, the European Week has become one of Europe's largest annual awareness raising campaigns for a healthier, safer and more productive workplace.
From research to good practice
The Agency monitors, collects and analyses scientific findings, statistical information as well as prevention measures applied by individual Member States or companies.
The job of our OSH specialists is not only to identify and pool the most relevant OSH information, but also to make it readily accessible:
- by sectors, such as construction, education, fisheries, health care
- by topics, e.g.: accident prevention, dangerous substances, work-related stress, musculoskeletal disorders, noise at work
- by priority groups, including disabled people, women, young workers, SMEs
The Agency's information work is driven by practical goals.
If you are an OSH practitioner, access our Good Practice online section to see what practical solutions you can introduce in your organisation.If you are an OSH expert or policymaker, our Risk Observatory will help you get ready for future challenges.
What can I find on this website?
Since the launch of its first website in 1997, the Agency has built up a considerable reservoir of OSH online information and knowledge. The homepage portal of the global network http://osha.europa.eu/, links to over 30 national web sites maintained by the Agency’s focal points (usually the lead OSH organisation in the EU Member States, candidate countries and other international partners). This is a single entry point to an overview of information that the network has to offer, from current campaigns to popular links. It is a database-driven multilingual portal providing access to OSH information in your preferred language, personalise the site and access the European and International network.
It is the interlinking of so many similarly structured sites that has created this safety and health resource, greatly simplifying the collection and exchange of information on occupational safety and health matters across Europe
OSH information online
Migration to advanced technology enhanced the usability of the site and provides you with customised information services. The website can easily target its readers allowing for better indexing of the available information, improved navigating facilities. Single entry points or web features present key information on specific topics, sectors and user groups in all languages. These entry points enable the target groups: workers, employers, practitioners or experts to find the information relevant to them.
- Topics, sectors, groups, good practice
- Legislation and regulations
- Research, statistics and training
It is a unique network of European, national and international web sites with a common structure, linked at every level facilitating cross-reference key OSH information areas by country or institution. Click on one of the information topics in the left bar i.e. ‘good practice’ and click on a country or institution from the scroll down menu to see the information available on good practice in that country/institution.
Personalisation
When you register or login your preferred language and preferred countries will be included in your profile. It is possible to receive notifications of your favourite topics when they have been updated or new additions made.
You need to register and log in with your user name and password in order to do the following:
• To browse the site in your preferred language
• To browse the information from your preferred countries
• To participate in the discussion forums
• To receive notifications of updates to your favourite topics
The advanced search in the left portal section enables you to find content on the site by specifying the search in one or more of the following criteria:
- Global search: extends your search by selecting one or more peer sites
- Text: boolean free text queries (eg: asbestos AND health) with any metadata selection criterion on the site
- Available language: return items available in the selected language
- Countries: allows you to search in a selected country only
- New items since: returns items added since you were last logged on
Thesaurus
The multilingual thesaurus displays terms in 20 languages on the site. The hierarchical index helps to identify relevant keywords. If you click on them, all records containing that keyword are shown.
Breadcrumb line
A breadcrumb line in the top left above the menu will inform you where you are exactly on the site. It is basically a vertical information path that starts with 'Home' and the current pages you are navigating on. You can easily navigate
backwards by clicking on the text links.
Forum
You may read the messages in these discussions without logging in. However to participate in the discussions themselves you need to login.
How can I keep up to date with the latest OSH news?
News
The news section on the website keeps you up to date with daily news items from Europe and the rest of the world.
Events
Check out the events calendar to know what's happening in Europe and around the globe.
OSHmail
European and international new on safety and health at work delivered to your desktop. Subscribe to the Agency's e-newsletter and read the previous issues!
