European Parliament prepares its report on the Community Strategy on health and safety at work

The European Parliament is currently preparing its report on the Community Strategy on health and safety at work that was unveiled by the Commission last February.

The new strategy builds upon the evaluation of the previous Community strategy on health and safety at work 2002-2006 and its main objective is to reduce the incidence rate of accidents at work (by 25%) and occupational illnesses.

It should be noted that although mental health is strongly emphasised in the Strategy, alcohol in the workplace and the alcohol strategy are not mentioned. However, the communication acknowledges the emergence of new risk factors, such as addictions and considers that these changes mean that a better understanding of the problem must be acquired by conducting specialized research in order to identify effective prevention measures. The research agenda will also be used to identify new risks. Among others, the research priorities include psychological issues and exposure to chemicals.

The rapporteur of the leading committee (the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs), the Socialist Ms Glenis Willmott, presented on 9 October her draft report (see below the link to the draft report and the minutes of the EMPL Committee meeting).

The deadline for amendments is 23 October and the adoption of the report will take place in the January plenary session (15 Jan 2008).

Further reading:

Proposal from the Commission on a Community strategy (2007-2012) on health and safety at work.

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/site/en/com/2007/com2007_0062en01.pdf

Council resolution on a new Community strategy on health and safety at work (2007-2012)

http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/07/st10/st10244.en07.pdf

Draft report from the Rapporteur in the Parliament (Committee on

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/documents/pr/684/684307/684307en.pdf

Draft opinion of the Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI)

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/documents/pa/685/685160/685160en.pdf

Draft opinion of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE)

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/documents/pa/685/685485/685485en.pdf

Draft opinion of the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (FEMM)

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2004_2009/documents/pa/682/682399/682399en.pdf

Minutes EMPL Committee meeting, 9 October: Consideration of a draft report on a community strategy 2007-2012 on health and safety at work

MEP Glenis Willmott (PES, UK): She welcomed the Commission's proposal and agreed with the target of a 25 percent reduction in accidents at work. In her report she said she had aimed to emphasise implementation, especially for specific sectors and groups:

• women;
• elderly workers
• young inexperienced workers;
• SMEs
• Agriculture
• Fisheries
• Construction industry
• Temporary workers

There is a need to emphasie that the evidence indicates that companies with good health and safety records have high performance and productivity.

Due to the space restriction on the length of reports she has not been able to cover all the issues, but hopes that amendments will solve this.

MEP Steven Hughes (PES, UK) expressed his annoyance at the Commission's failure to act sooner to previous reports by the Parliament. There are previous reports that deal with muscular and skeletal diseases (MSD) and with needle stick injuries. These reports were written 18 months ago and the Commission has not responded to them. On the issue of health and safety the Commission appears to be doing something but in fact is doing nothing other than “…marching on the spot”.

MEP Thomas Ulmer (EPP-ED, DE) more scientific evidence is needed on MSD. The relevant directive does not do enough to provide incentives to SMEs on health and safety.

MEP Elizabeth Lynne (ALDE, UK) stressed that the key to success on health and safety at work is “implementation” of existing rules. We also need to encourage workers that have been ill to return to work, she said.

MEP Philip Bushill-Matthews (EPP-ED – UK) stressed four points:

Be wary of creating more legislation; the nature of temporary work differs between member states; meeting the 25 percent target for each member states could be unrealistic; member states should look at bad practices to avoid as well as good practices to adopt. Inspectors should do more to help companies and to implement good practice.

MEP from Spain[1] the 25 percent target is an EU target and not for each member state to meet. Meeting the requirements demanded will be near impossible for self-employed workers. More is needed on carcinogenic and heart diseases.

MEP Glenis Willmott (PSE – UK) agreed that more is needed on implementation and on MSD. Indeed 50 percent of sick leave for illnesses that last longer than 3 days are for MSDs. Many of the remarks made by the MEPs she agreed with, namely remarks made by MEPs Ulmar, Lynne, Bushell-Matthews, on having more scientific information, encouraging workers to return to work after illness and that inspectors should help companies apply health and safety rules. She disagreed however with Philip Bushill-Matthew's view regarding temporary workers, because the evidence indicates that they are very vulnerable.