European OSH statistics
Summary - New risks and trends in the safety and health of women at work
In 2009 and 2010, the Agency commissioned an update to its previous research on gender issues at work , which found that inequality both inside and outside the workplace can have an effect on the health and safety of women at work. This summary provides a policy perspective and is meant to contribute to the task outlined by the European strategy on health and safety at work for EU-OSHA’s European Risk Observatory, “examining the specific challenges in terms of health and safety posed by the more extensive integration of women in the labour market”. It provides a statistical overview of the trends in employment and working conditions, hazard exposure and work-related accidents and health problems for women at work. It explores selected issues (combined exposures, occupational cancer, access to rehabilitation, women and informal work, and “emerging” female professions such as home care and domestic work). The research highlights the type of work carried out by women, issues faced by younger and older women, the growth of the service sector, violence and harassment, and increasingly diversified working time patterns as major risk factors.
A review of methods used across Europe to estimate work-related accidents and illnesses among the self-employed
The overall proportion of self-employed workers is stable in Europe, however there has been a marked growth over recent years in the number of self-employed working in the services and construction sectors. The level of self-employment in high risk sectors such as agriculture and construction means that the capturing of accurate OSH data for this group becomes ever more important. Currently, such information is available at European level from surveys of workers, such as Eurofound’s European working conditions survey (EWCS) and the LFS (2007 ad-hoc module on accidents at work and work-related health problems) and from accident registers (ESAW). Although national differences in definitions, reporting rates and systems render comparative data analysis difficult, there is scope for improving the quality of monitoring of OSH for self-employed through the sharing of knowledge about current practices across Europe. This report describes monitoring systems currently in use and highlights any recent initiatives designed to improve the monitoring of OSH with respect to self-employed in ten selected Member States (Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Malta, The Netherlands and Poland).
OSH in figures: stress at work — facts and figures
Stress at work is common throughout Europe. In surveys carried out every five years by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, respondents name it as the second most common threat posed by the working environment. Only musculoskeletal problems are seen as more likely to damage workers’ health. According to the fourth European Survey of Working Conditions, carried out in 2005 in all Member States, stress was experienced by an average 22% of working Europeans. In 2002, the annual economic cost of work-related stress in the EU15 was estimated at EUR 20,000 million.
Report - Labour inspectorates' strategic planning on safety and health at work
Labour inspectorates play a central role in promoting safety and health at work and are increasingly focusing their attention on the anticipation, definition and prevention of emerging risks. Through the work of labour inspectors, the inspectorates have access to a unique source of data that helps inform their strategic planning in three main areas: research, inspection and awareness-raising. This report presents an overview of the principal OSH-related priorities established by national labour inspectorates and provides information on how these priorities are set. The information contained in this report was provided by EU-OSHA’s network of national Focal Points during 2008 in response to a questionnaire survey.
Workplace exposure to nanoparticles
Nanomaterials possess various new properties and their industrial use creates new opportunities, but they also present new risks and uncertainties. Growing production and use of nanomaterials result in an increasing number of workers and consumers exposed to nanomaterials. This leads to a greater need for information on possible health and environmental effects of nanomaterials.
Report - Workplace exposure to vibration in Europe: an expert review
One in three European workers is exposed to vibrations at work and for some sectors, such as construction at 63%, this figure is much higher. Although vibration is a long-standing and well-known risk, its importance has increased since the application of the vibration directive (2002/44/EC), which came into force on 6th July 2005. Enterprises, regulators and legislators face new challenges; measurement is complicated and risk assessment and reduction are not simple. This report brings together specialists from eight leading European institutes to produce an overview of the challenges facing the occupational safety and health community as regards management of occupational vibration risks. The situation in six Member States – Belgium, Germany, Spain, Finland, France and Poland – is examined, and research information is presented covering all Member States.
Report - OSH in figures: Young workers - Facts and figures
This publication seeks to review in depth what risks young workers are exposed to at work and what the consequences of these exposures are, in both the short term and the long term for young workers. This is done not only by analysing statistics and studies but also through selected case studies of prevention. By bringing this wealth of information together, the Agency hopes to contribute to better protection of young people as they embark on their working life and therefore, to their improved health throughout it.
Literature Study on Migrant Workers
Increasing mobility of workers is one of the growing demographic changes worldwide and it is likely that migration will increase in the next decade. The aim of the report is to provide an overview of the most important issues relating to the occupational safety and health (OSH) of migrant workers.
Summary - New risks and trends in the safety and health of women at work
