OSH in figures: Occupational safety and health in the transport sector — an overview

Chapters in this Publication

Introduction

The transport sector, including transport over land (by road and train), water and air, is one of the booming sectors in Europe and currently undergoing profound changes. Transport forecasts, reveal considerable growth rates of transport performance in the EU-27 countries between 2000 and 2020: +31 % for passenger x km and +75 % for freight (tons x km). There are also significant differences between the Member States. This section gives an introduction to the aims and the scope of the report as well as to the limitations in data collection. Read more...

The context - employment structure and other features of the transport sector

Before describing the risks that transport workers are exposed to in the work place and the related health outcomes, it is essential to present a statistical portrait of its labour force. The following chapter describes: - the proportion of employment in the transport sector within the total work force and its evolution; - the distribution by gender; - the age structure; - the types of contract; - other work organisational factors, such as the organisation of working time (i.e. parttime work, shift work). Many of these contextual features influence and interact with the OSH situation of the transport workers. This statistical portrait of the transport sector helps to clarify their status and to explain to some extent their occupational safety and health situation at work. Read more...

Exposure to risks

Transport workers are not a homogenous group, they represent, within one sector, many different occupations with specific sets of working conditions and risks, and very varying demands. For example, in air transport, the workforce includes ground handling staff, technicians, pilots, air controllers, flight attendants, customer desks and check-in workers, while in rail transport tasks include catering, driving, maintenance, shunting, loading, and ticketing, and road transport may be very different depending on whether it is long- or short-distance, passenger or goods transport, courier or freight transport services. Recent changes in the transport sectors have contributed to a change in risks and exposures. But there are some common issues. The following section of this thematic report addresses the main hazards and risks that transport workers may face. These risks are often better described for certain groups. Therefore, case studies and additional research information add depth to the general figures. Read more...

Health outcomes

The following part of this thematic report addresses the work-related health outcomes within transport workers. These outcomes are divided into: - occupational accidents - occupational diseases - self-reported health problems. These risks are often linked to certain groups (e.g. specifi c sub sector, older workers, etc.). Therefore, case studies and additional research information will complete the general figures. Read more...

Legislation and policies

This chapter gives an overview of the most relevant EU regulations regarding OSH in transport by road, railway, water and air . The Framework Directive 89/391/EEC is essential, as it aims at ensuring a higher degree of protection of workers through the implementation of preventive measures to guard against accidents at work and occupational diseases, and through the information, consultation, balanced participation and training of workers and their representatives. EU legislation on health and safety at work applies to ‘all sectors of economic activity, both public and private’. Out of 28 directives governing this field, only two do not apply, the Directives on workplaces and on visual display screen equipment. Read more...

Methodology

The data collection is based on existing and available sources. All data have been collected from published and online available statistical sources. Existing tables and graphics have been used in this presentation. Not all sources present the data in a similar way or combine the same breakdown criteria, as a result of which the data are difficult to compare. Statistics from these sources were complemented by analytical studies and literature reviews. The aim of the studies is to give some interpretation and background information on the statistical data. Where available, efforts have been made to use the raw data sources, which are then treated according to the expected output. Read more...

Discussion and conclusions

The following chapter provides a short summary of the findings and recommendations for action in research, monitoring and prevention, as well as proposals for the different subsectors of transport. Read more...