News

UK, HSE – New online information about upper limb disorders.

Upper limb disorders (ULDs)

EU-Call for Tenders - Feasibility study on establishing a European platform for cooperation between labour inspectorates, and other relevant monitoring and enforcement bodies, to prevent and fight undeclared work

Call for Tenders VT/ 2009/049

DE-Dangerous substances. Guidance in English – substitution and risk assessment

Guidance documents (TRGS) in English

EU-ECHA-REACH Substance Identity Workshop Can Be Viewed Online.

Substance Identity Workshop in Helsinki

EU- ETUI launches sustainable development newsletter

"Just Transition", the newETUI newsletter.

Chief Executive of HSE visits EU-OSHA on 21 November 2008

Geoffrey Podger, Chief Executive of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK gave a presentation on the HSE approach to health and safety to the meeting of the national focal points, and met with Mr Takala, the director of EU-OSHA.

Mr Podger described the structure of HSE, its role as a regulator and enforcing authority, and some of the occupational safety and health issues facing the UK today.

In 2007/8, 229 workers were killed at work, with over 136 000 other injuries to employees recorded under the accident reporting regulations. The UK lost 34 million working days (or 1.4 per worker), of which 6 million were due to workplace injury and 28 million due to work-related ill-health. While the fatal injury rate compares favourably with the EU average, Mr Podger expressed the need to further reduce the occurrences of accidents and ill-health.

In December 2008, HSE will be launching a consultation exercise on a new strategy that will recognise changes to the world of work and focus on the importance of all stakeholders and duty holders working together. The involvement of workers and leadership by directors of enterprises are seen as vital elements in the reduction of occupational risks.

HSE web page

New opportunities for funding in public health

The European Commission adopted today the Work Plan for 2009 for the implementation of the second programme of Community action in the field of health.

The Work Plan was followed by the publication of the calls for proposals that present new funding opportunities for European organisations active in the area of public health.

The EAHC published calls for proposals for projects, operating grants, conferences and joint actions. The total budget available for the execution of the 2009 Work Plan is about 48.2 million euro.

All proposals should address important problems in the European public health and be in line with the Commission's priorities expressed in the Work Plan.

The deadline for the submission of proposals is 20 May 2009.

More about funding for projects

More about funding for conferences

More about operating grants

CAN-work fatigue and commuting accidents

Hazard Alerts - Beat Work Fatigue

EEA draws the first map of Europe's noise exposure

Press release

Denmark, Danish Working Environment Research Fund - call for grant applications

Call for grant applications (review projects, occupational diseases)

Higher Productivity in European Companies possible and needed

Employee Assistance European Forum (EAEF)

UK – Guidance: Preventing workplace harassment and violence

Workplace harassment and violence

UK, HSE, Work-related stress. Guidance for labour inspectors

This LAC presents current operational policy on work-related stress and guidance on how enforcement officers should deal with the topic. It provides information on the Management Standards for work-related stress, which form the core of LA’s work on stress. An overview of the Stress Programme Plan of work is given with information on how this work links with activity on Managing Sickness Absence and Return to Work. It does not deal with post-traumatic stress.

Read the full report

UK - HSE, UK plans for implementing Artificial Optical Radiation Directive

The HSE has released a consultation document outlining how it plans to implement a European Union (EU) Directive to protect workers from hazardous sources of artificial light.

FR-Action plan on health and environment 2009-2013

The proposal includes health at work and addresses amongst other issues CMR at work and indoor air pollution.
Propositions pour un deuxième plan national santé-environnement (PNSE2) 2009 - 2013

Ireland, Road Safety Authority (RSA), RSA and HSA launch Driving for Work Guidelines

New ‘Driving for Work Guidelines’

Pilot Study "Ex-Post-Evaluation of the VDU Directive 90/270/EEC" was a success

EU-Employment in Europe report 2009

European labour markets deeply hit by crisis, but more resilient than expected.

EU - EU calls for comments on PROGRESS programme

EU’s employment and social solidarity programme

UK - HSE, Property developers' OSH law guide

Anyone developing property and having construction or building work carried out has legal duties as a 'client' under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007 (CDM 2007), unless they are a domestic client.

EU-ETSC-Drink Driving in Commercial Transport: policy paper

ETSC has just published the new policy paper on Drink Driving in Commercial Transport.

Towards Better Work and Well-being - Deadline for abstract submission: 7 September 2009

Conference on health and well-being at the workplace.

DE-Women and part-time, temporary contracts and minijobs

DE-More and more women work part-time, on temporary contracts and in minijobs, which impacts on their salaries and their career perspectives.

EU-Restructuring in the construction sector – new Eurofound report

New report from Eurofound

EU - 16% of Europeans report experiencing discrimination.

EU-16% of Europeans report experiencing discrimination. Of all forms, ageism scored highest.

UK-HSE, Guidance on employing migrant workers

Overseas workers are vital in providing skills and filling labour shortages in the construction industry. Many are experienced trades people and some enter the workforce through the Highly Skilled Migrants Programme.

Overseas workers make up about 6% of the workforce in construction in the GB. HSE’s Survey of Construction Workers, started in January 2005, suggests that in Greater London, overseas construction workers make up around 26% of the workforce.

Between April 2005 and March 2006, five foreign workers were killed in the construction industry in Britain. In the following year (between April 2006 and March 2007), a further five foreign workers were killed.

Vulnerable groups have been identified in the construction industry. Workers with limited English language skills can still obtain a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. The Construction Skills touchscreen health and safety test can be taken in a variety of languages or with the help of an interpreter.

Construction Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the construction industry, has developed web-based materials to help integrate overseas workers into the industry. It provides construction employers with information and support tools to help ensure that any overseas workers they employ are properly qualified, competent and safe.

Towards the end of 2007, HSE and the construction industry set up a Working Group to consider the health and safety of vulnerable workers in construction. A particular focus of this Group is migrant workers in construction and it is hoped that its proposals will help to further improve and increase the significant efforts that have already been made by HSE and the industry.

Further information and guidance on health and safety in construction

INT- Occupational and Environmental Cancer Prevention – Presentations now available

UK - ‘Working together to reduce stress at work - a guide for employees’, a new web-friendly leaflet

There is a difference between stress and pressure. We all experience pressure on a daily basis, and need it to motivate us and enable us to perform at our best. It’s when we experience too much pressure without the opportunity to recover that we start to experience stress. The HSE definition of stress is ‘the adverse reaction a person has to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed upon them’.

We can all feel stressed at times when we feel as though everything becomes too much, when things get on top of us, or when we feel as though we are unable to cope. It affects us in different ways at different times and is often the result of a combination of factors in our personal and working lives.

Work-related stress can be tackled by working with your employer to identify issues at source and agreeing realistic and workable ways to tackle these.

Leafleft downloadable here

More information

EU- Call for tender – non-binding guide - protecting the health and safety of workers in the fisheries sector

Call for Tenders VT/ 2009/018 Service contract for the production of a non-binding modular guide to best practice with a view to improving the application of the Community Directives on protecting the health and safety of workers in the fisheries sector sailing on vessels less than 15 metres in length.

More information

EU - A series of e-facts related to cleaners become available on the Agency's web

A series of e-facts related to cleaners become available on the Agency’s web.

Those are their topics:

Needlestick injuries
Muskuloskeletal disorders
Dangerous substances
Work equipment

E-facts downloadable here

UK-Drop 'inappropriate' footwear codes and reduce back and foot problems, says TUC

Participate in the first-ever on the Health EU newsletter

Short survey on the Health EU newsletter

Social Europe e-newsletter

A new e-mail newsletter on employment, social affairs and equal opportunities.

A new e-mail newsletter on employment, social affairs and equal opportunities has been launched by the European Commission.

The newsletter includes information about policy developments, funding opportunities, new publications and events. Subscribers can choose how often to receive the updates and which policy areas they want to be informed about.

Subscribe to this free newsletter

US-Workplace suicides rose from 196 cases in 2007 to 251 cases in 2008, an increase of 28 percent

Workplace suicides

EU-ECHA opens Webpages on restrictions

The European Chemicals Agency has today published on its website a new subsection concerning restrictions

DE - Final report of the project "Quality in Prevention"

This final report presents an overview of 12 of the 14 sub-projects that made up the German Social Accident Insurance’s “Quanlity in Prevention” research project. It also contains supplementary comments and observations on the research project. The two sub-projects that have not yet been concluded (“Prevention Costs and Benefits” and “Company medical support and guidance on safety technology”) will be published on completion early in 2009.

Report downloadable here

Use of face masks

The number of people in public places who are displaying symptoms is likely to be limited. Therefore it should not be necessary for workers to wear masks routinely when in contact with the general public.

However, there may be some situations when it will be advisable for a worker to wear a mask. Such a situation will depend on the nature of the work and where it is to be carried out.

Employers should carry out a risk assessment and, amongst other things, gauge:

If workers are likely to encounter members of the public who are displaying symptoms, for example, in a healthcare setting it is highly likely that contact with the public (patients) will include persons who have symptoms of influenza;
Where contact with people displaying symptoms is likely, whether any measures can be taken to minimise contact;
The duration and frequency of contact with members of the public.

Selection of face masks

Advice on the types of face masks available and how to select the appropriate one for your employees, can be found on the DH website^[1] and on the HSE biosafety website^[2].

UK - RoSPA, Young drivers need further training for at-work driving

The current system of learner driver training and testing does not adequately prepare young people to drive as part of their jobs, a major study by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) has found.

The safety charity’s Young Drivers at Work project, funded by the Department for Transport, looked at developing a new post-test driving for work qualification.

More than 60 per cent of employers who took part in the study reported that the driving test did not prepare 17-24-year-olds for at-work driving.

And more than half of those surveyed said they would like to see a post-test driving for work qualification introduced, with accident reduction being the most common benefit cited.

Young drivers at work face, and create, a higher risk than other drivers. For example, figures show that young motorists are more at risk of being killed or injured on the roads than more experienced drivers. It is also estimated that one in three crashes involves a vehicle being driven for work.

RoSPA surveyed 407 employers and managers using a questionnaire and conducted 47 in-depth telephone interviews. Twenty-five young workers also took part in focus groups.

EU - ETUI report - The impact of safety representatives on occupational health. A European perspective

Does the presence of union officials in a workplace actually help to improve safety and health protection for workers? To try and answer this question, three researchers reviewed the studies done on the matter in Europe. They conclude that having trade union representation leads to better observance of the rules, lower accident rates and fewer work-related health problems. The findings of the study, done under the European EPSARE project, have just been published in a ETUI report.

More information

EU - Call for Proposals VP/ 2009/002: Information and training measures for workers' organisations

The deadline for the submission of applications is 24 April 2009 for actions commencing no earlier than 24 June 2009 and no later than 22 December 2009.

Link for more information

EU - Call for Proposals VP/ 2009/010: RESTRUCTURING, WELL-BEING AT WORK AND FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION

The deadlines for the submission of applications are as follows: 18 May 2009 for activities commencing no earlier than 20 July 2009 and 1 September 2009 for activities commencing no earlier than 3 November 2009 and no later than 21 December 2009.

More information

FR - Colloque européen "Pour des emplois agricoles de qualité"

Is agriculture a breeding ground of employments for the future? When considering the figures, the answer is Yes : today, with more than 2,5 million agricultural active workers in France and 17 million in Europe. Although being the third European employer, agriculture has difficulties in recruiting labour force. This is the reason why, in the framework of the French Presidency of
the European Union Council, MSA (social welfare for the whole agricultural profession) organizes a seminar on the topic : « For sustainable employment in the agricultural sector : From European
commitments to practical issues ». This event will take place at the Social and Economic Council, in Paris, on 8 December 2008 and will gather actors from different spheres: professionals of the agricultural sector, elected members, social partners, employment and social protection actors, French and European researchers...
This seminar aims at understanding the evolutions of the agricultural jobs, identifying the needs, sharing the knowledge and finally at creating partnerships in order to develop sustainable jobs in agriculture in France as well as in Europe.
With this event, MSA wishes to demonstrate that, through its actions, the French agricultural social protection scheme actively contributes to the Lisbon Strategy and to the implementation of the reviewed social agenda by favouring the creation of more and better jobs. MSA which supports the agricultural professionals throughout their whole career (advice and services when setting up, health and security at work, integration) is particularly attentive to the evolution of agricultural jobs and to their economic stakes.

Read more (in French)

Link to the event item

INT-Leading health and safety at work: leadership actions for directors and board members

EU - Commission launches Renewed Social Agenda

EU-OSH Training & Innovation, Dresden: Intercultural dialogue. Proceedings.

UK - HSE, new stress website and assessment tool

Stress at work is a big problem^[1], but together we can successfully manage and prevent it. HSE can help you prevent work-related stress and comply with the law.

What is work related stress?^[2]
How can I start dealing with my stress?^[3]
How can my organisation tackle work related stress – Management Standard

Access to the new stress website here

EU-European Gender Equality Law Review

CAN-Exploratory study on OSH problems in performing arts

The Canadian Institut Robert Sauvé has conducted a research project on OSH for performing artists. The purpose of this exploratory study was to more effectively delineate OHS issues in the performing arts. It was developed and produced in collaboration with the members of a tripartite committeee, chaired by the CSST, and stakeholders from cultural enterprises. The study reveals the necessity of a systematic approach to OHS issues in this sector and presents a series of recommendations for research and intervention.

More information

CAN-Suivi de huit interventions de prévention des TMS initiées par des inspecteurs de la CSST - Étude exploratoire de l’IRSST

Pour contrer le fléau des troubles musculo-squelettiques (TMS), la Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du Québec (CSST) a expérimenté, vers les années 2004-2005, une nouvelle approche en prévention. Selon cette approche, des entreprises sont ciblées sur la base des TMS compensés. Un inspecteur se présente en entreprise et évalue les facteurs de risque sur le ou les postes pour lesquels des réclamations ont été acceptées. Dans le cas où il y a présence de risque, l’inspecteur somme l’entreprise de corriger la situation. L’entreprise est libre d’utiliser l’intervenant de son choix et l’approche d’intervention qu’elle souhaite.

L’Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) a suivi huit interventions de prévention des TMS initiées par des inspecteurs de la CSST et vient de publier une étude exploratoire qui semble indiquer que l’approche de la CSST a des impacts positifs.

Pour télécharger le document: http://www.irsst.qc.ca/files/documents/PubIRSST/R-610.pdf

IE-Big differences between wage increases in Europe

The average real wage increase for European workers fell from 2.7% in 2006 to 2.3% in 2007, according to new data published by Eurofound’s European Industrial Relations Observatory (EIRO). The annual update on pay developments in Europe recorded big differences between EU Member States, both in terms of pay trends and the level of pay increases. It also found a continued moderation in wage increases in the former EU15 countries; among the new EU Member States, however, a distinctive upward trend was evident, with average wage increases almost four times higher than in the former EU15 countries.

EU - Executive Agency for Health and Consumers launched call for proposals in the field of health

On 26 February 2009, the Executive Agency for Health and Consumers has launched a call for proposals for financial contribution to specific actions in the field of health such as: projects, conferences, joint actions, operating grants and other activities like organisation of workshops and expert meetings, including seminars, publications and various communication initiatives.

Read the full article

PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP AWARD 2009

The 7th ESIG Product Stewardship Award will be held in 2009.

The application process is now open!

Applicants from all European countries and any industry sector related to the production, supply and handling of solvents are highly welcome.

An independent jury consisting of senior representatives from the European Commission, the European Parliament, media and trade associations will be looking for innovative projects or programs that have achieved clear improvements for workers and society as a whole and demonstrate significant and cost-effective health, safety or environmental improvements in the use of solvents.

The winner will be invited to a European award ceremony in the autumn of 2009 and receive a high level of promotion on a European as well as on a local level.

EU - ECDC alert on OSH risks from Anthrax to workers

ECDC and EMCDDA jointly issue warning of infection risks in laboratory workers and drug users

FR-Prix territoriaux - Chorum/CIDES

Lancement des Prix territoriaux "Agir pour la prévention des risques professionnels dans l’économie sociale" - Chorum/CIDES

UK, British Telecom launches safe driving program to coincide with European Safety Week

Safe driving program

Recent news

EU – new website by social partners in agriculture on prevention of musculoskeletal disorders

Good practices in agriculture: social partners participation in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders.

This website is part of the project “Good practices in agriculture: social partners participation in the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders” funded by the European Commission. The project ran from December 2008 till December 2009.

Musculoskeletal problems in Agriculture

Visit the EU-OSHA section on MSD's

EU-EASA, Vacancy for safety risks expert

Air transport is one of the safest modes of travel. It is also the fastest growing. That is why the European Union decided on a common initiative to keep air transport safe and sustainable, allowing for growth and improved safety. It is called the European Aviation Safety Agency.

The European Aviation Safety Agency promotes the highest common standards of safety and environmental protection in civil aviation in Europe and worldwide. It is the centrepiece of a new regulatory system which provides for a single European market in the aviation industry.

A milestone achievement of the agency in December 2006 was the certification of the Airbus A380, the world’s largest airliner.

The agency’s responsibilities include:

expert advice to the EU for drafting new legislation;
implementing and monitoring safety rules, including inspections in the Member States;
type-certification of aircraft and components, as well as the approval of organisations involved in the design, manufacture and maintenance of aeronautical products;
authorization of third-country (non EU) operators;
safety analysis and research.

The agency’s responsibilities are growing to meet the challenges of the fast-developing aviation sector. In a few years, the Agency will also be responsible for safety regulations regarding airports and air traffic management systems.

Based in Cologne, the agency already employs some 400 professionals from across Europe. It will continue to recruit highly qualified specialists and administrators in the coming years as it consolidates its position as Europe’s centre of excellence in aviation safety.

Our vision is to see European citizens benefit from the safest and most environment-friendly civil aviation system in the world.

More information about vacancy safety risks expert

INT - WHO, Novel influenza -A(H1N1)- infection prevention in health care – interim guidance

Occupational health aspects in the prevention of swine influenza among health care workers: WHO document, “Infection prevention and control in health care in providing care for confirmed or suspected A(H1N1) swine influenza patients - Interim Guidance”. The document can be downloaded here

EU- Reprotoxic substances - ETUI publication: Production and reproduction / Produire et reproduire

This booklet sets out to help improve awareness of work-related reproductive hazards. They are a vast and complex mix of varied kinds running from chemicals, through ionizing radiation, vibration, heat, biological agents to stress and more. They also have a wide variety of effects, including male and female infertility, miscarriages, birth defects, impaired child development and others. There is probably no other sphere of health and safety at work in which the available information is so piecemeal and lacking.

The booklet reviews and gives a broad-brush picture of the available knowledge for a general readership. This particular publication deals in most detail with chemicals, but also provides information on other reproductive risks.

More information

UK - Safety Representatives. A charter for change.

It has been repeatedly demonstrated in studies from a range of countries that worker activity, with union support behind it, is a major factor in reducing injuries and disease at work. Statistics show that better standards of health and safety are achieved in unionised workplaces than in similar non-unionised ones. At the core of this are Safety Representatives. This report shows how safety representatives make a difference in practice and how shortcomings in the present regulations limit their effectiveness. It also makes proposals for change.

Biosafety-Europe has finalised its work and published final documents

BIOSAFETY-EUROPE, a Coordination Action funded through the European Commission’s Sixth Framework Programme, which started April 1st 2006, has finalised its work and published final documents. The project’s overall aim was promoting European harmonisation and the exchange of practices relating to biosafety and biosecurity management of biological containment facilities.

The recommendations to the EC include: Adoption of a consistent terminology for biosafety levels, regular updating of the classification list of microorganisms and guidance on suitable efficient and cost-effective technical safety measures. Safety measures must be determined by evidence‐based risk assessment and should not hinder the exchange of scientific personnel, data and knowledge.

HARM: a new method for determining risk of arm, neck or shoulder problems

HARM is a new online instrument that can be used to determine the health risk of arm, neck or shoulder problems.

UK- HSE, European manufacturers agree to cease supply of semi-automatic quick hitches to UK

HSE has confirmed that European manufacturers have voluntarily agreed to cease supply of semi-automatic quick hitches into the UK. The agreement comes after discussions between HSE and industry and will be effective as of 1 October 2008.

After four fatal incidents in the twelve month period between December 2006 and November 2007, all involving semi automatic quick hitches, HSE began talks with quick hitch manufacturers, excavator manufacturers and others to highlight the problem with semi-automatic quick hitches and look for potential solutions.

Industry has been supportive throughout these discussions, and as a result all manufacturers have agreed to stop supplying this type of quick hitch as of 1 October 2008.

What this means for users of quick hitches

The agreement will mean that in the future when buying a quick hitch only manual or automatic quick hitches will be available.
This does not mean that all semi automatic hitches will be illegal as of 1 October 2008. When used in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions semi automatic quick hitches can still be used safely.
Owners and users should still be able to order spare parts for current semi automatic hitches from manufacturers.

Personal tools

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

News

Use of face masks

Selection of face masks

What this means for users of quick hitches