Related Publications

Factsheet 94 - Workplace Health Promotion for Employees

published 12.02.2010

Four out of five European residents say that good health is crucial for their quality of life. Chronic disease has a major impact on quality of life. Many chronic diseases – e.g. heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, and cancer – can be largely prevented by a healthy lifestyle. These changes include improving the diet, enhancing physical fitness, and quitting smoking. Workplace Health Promotion means more than simply meeting the legal requirements for health and safety. It includes: improving the way work is organised; improving the working environment; encouraging employees to get involved in healthy activities; encouraging personal development.

E-fact 47: Health promotion in the transport sector

published 22.01.2010

Promoting health at the workplace requires a holistic approach. Any initiatives should consider the worker’s private life, their working life, and the interaction between the two. Working conditions are known to influence the general health of workers; for example, sedentary work can contribute to obesity. Similarly, workers’ personal habits, attitudes and lifestyle choices affect their health and wellbeing, and also can have an impact on their work performance.

Report - Expert forecast on emerging chemical risks related to occupational safety and health

published 23.03.2009

It is estimated that about 74,000 work-related deaths may be linked to hazardous substances at work each year in the EU – about 10 times more than workplace accidents. About 15% of European workers report handling chemical products for a quarter of their working time and 19% report breathing in dust, fumes and smoke in their workplaces. The 49 experts from 21 European countries who participated in this forecast highlighted particles and dusts as major emerging concerns and put nanoparticles at the top of the list of emerging risks. Other main groups of emerging risks identified were carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances, and the increasing use of allergenic and sensitising substances. Specific occupations of emerging concerns were also highlighted and include the increasing waste management industry, construction, and service activities such as cleaning or home nursing. In addition, there is a growing number of workers in SMEs and sub-contracted jobs, where the management of chemical risks is generally poorer. Last but not least, concern about multiple exposures is increasing as it was also shown in the three other forecasts on emerging biological, physical and psychosocial emerging risks.