Mainstreaming occupational safety and health (OSH) into education

The integration of occupational safety and health (OSH) into general and vocational education and training in Europe has been part of the Community strategy on health and safety at work since 2002. It is seen as an essential element for developing a preventive culture in all parts of society. Experience gained up to now shows how important it is that a risk prevention culture encompasses all phases of lifelong learning, starting from primary education, including vocational training and university education.

At the same time major progress has been made in the field of the European education policy, last but not least by developing a European Quality Assurance Reference framework for Vocational Education and Training (EQARF) in 2009. The EQARF supports lifelong learning strategies, European labour market integration and promotes a culture of quality improvement at all levels, while respecting the rich diversity of national education systems.However, so far these two developments, in the policy field of OSH and the policy field of education, are not truly interlinked. This high-level stakeholder meeting aims to

• share information on recent developments in both policy fields
• provide insight into the main approaches of mainstreaming OSH into education and training
• bring together and facilitate discussion and debate between education stakeholders and OSH stakeholders – including EU and national stakeholders, social partners and experts from both fields.

• That a combined approach where risk education takes place within the context of health and safety management for staff and pupils should be supported (whole school approach) to promote a safety culture within education establishments.

• That risk education is from nursery to university and then into the workplace – a life-long learning approach is needed.
• That we must be precise, realistic and practical regarding what we want to achieve with risk education. School curricula are overcrowded and there are time and resources constraints.
• That actions must be based on analysis - what works well and what is achievable in practice.
• That cooperation and synergies must be developed. Actions must be based on consultation with stakeholders. Social partners must be included in the consultation process.
• That if the European Commission were to propose a resolution or recommendation on mainstreaming OSH into education, this would be very much welcomed.