The document discusses the current state of occupational safety and health in Europe. It notes that the nature of work is changing, with an aging workforce, more female workers, and more migrant workers. Risks to worker health include stress, musculoskeletal disorders, and exposure to chemicals. Small businesses struggle with occupational safety due to lack of expertise and resources. The document calls for a holistic approach to worker safety that addresses both physical and psychosocial risks, supports an aging workforce, and provides practical assistance to small businesses.

1. The current state of occupational safety and
health in Europe
Dr Christa Sedlatschek
Director
Nicosia 18th October 2012
Safety and health at work is everyone‟s concern. It‟s good for you. It‟s good for business.

2. Overview
 Changing nature of work in Europe
 OSH management in Europe‟s workplaces
 Public perceptions
 Views from the experts
 Conclusions
http://osha.europa.eu
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3. The changing European workforce
  rates of employment
• long-term trend, despite the economic crisis
  rates of female employment
• but still unequally distributed across the workforce
  ageing  reduced pool of workers
•  need to improve workability of those who may have previously
easily gone into early or medical retirement. Health issues >
accidents
  migrant workers, likely to continue despite recent
dip due to the crisis
• Double demographic drive: older EU & extremely young populations
in emigrant countries (with weak economies, unable to generate jobs
for them)
http://osha.europa.eu
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4. A “top heavy” European population
http://osha.europa.eu
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5. Fewer young and more older workers
http://osha.europa.eu
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6. Workability by age and occupation
50
Days
sick
leave 45
construction worker roofer
40
potter businesspeople
35
30 parliamentarian scientist
25
20
15
10
5
0
<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64
Age
http://osha.europa.eu
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7. Changes in business patterns
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/facts-figures-analysis/performance-review/index_en.htm
http://osha.europa.eu
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8. The gender dimension
 There is still significant gender segregation across
sectors, occupations, and tasks
• Accident statistics may underestimate the impact for women
 Women are over-represented in part-time and temporary
jobs
• Lower pay, less access to training, limited professional development &
preventive services
 Working populations with „combined vulnerability‟, at
higher risk of social exclusion
• Older, female, migrant workers (e.g., cleaners)
 Gender should be a transversal aspect
• In policy, implementation (e.g., gender-sensitive risk assessment), data
collection/analysis…
http://osha.europa.eu
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9. Drivers for health and safety
% establishments,
100% EU-27
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
10-19 employees 20-49 employees 50-249 employees 250+ employees
Fulfillment of legal obligation
Requests from employees or their representatives
Requirements from clients or concern about the organisation‟s reputation
Staff retention and absence management
Pressure from the labour inspectorate
Economic or performance-related reasons
http://osha.europa.eu
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10. Barriers to prevention
100
90
80
73
70
70
59
60
50
44 44 44
41 41 40
38 40 38
40 38 37 38
35
33
31
30
25 25
20
10
0
10 to 19 20 to 49 50 to 249 250 to 499 500 +
Lacking necessary expertise RA too time consuming/expensive
Too complex legal obligations on RA Not necessary, no major problems
http://osha.europa.eu
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11. The challenge of smaller enterprises
9
8
7
Sweden
6
Spain
In some countries even the very smallest Slovenia
5
workplaces indicate high levels of health and
safety measures and procedures. Germany
However, we must remember that without
4 genuine management commitment these can be France
simply a „paper exercise‟.
3
0 100 200 300 400 500 600
http://osha.europa.eu
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12. Importance of worker representation
% establishments, EU27
Risk assessment is more
100 likely if there is a health
and safety representative
– especially in small firms.
95
90
85
80
75
10 to 19 20 to 49 50 to 249 250 to 499 500 + EU-27
Average
Total Establishments with H&S representative
http://osha.europa.eu
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13. The win-win situation
 Health and safety management is more likely
and more likely to be effective in organisations
that not only have an employee representative
but also give that person an appropriate context
in which to work
Management commitment + worker
representation = High OSH performance
http://osha.europa.eu
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14. Public perception: Job-related stress
http://osha.europa.eu
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15. Public perception: OSH & economics
http://osha.europa.eu
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16. Public perception: OSH and retirement
http://osha.europa.eu
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17. Views from the Risk Observatory
 Some “old” risks remain a problem
• May have impact in a new way
 Health problems have huge impact on individuals
and economic performance
• Psychosocial issues and MSDs
• Need to tackle underlying issues and risk factors
 “Combined factors” a concern
• Interaction between hazards / causal factors
 Impact on specific groups may be hidden in overall
data
http://osha.europa.eu
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18. New and emerging risks
 New hazards
• Nanotechnologies
 New forms of work organisation
• Mobile workers
 New industry sectors
• “Green jobs”
 New career paths
• Flexibility and variety throughout the working life
 New health impacts on workers and employers
• Managing chronic health issues in older workers
http://osha.europa.eu
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19. New solutions
• Traditional worker protection alone not enough
• OSH beyond the traditional engineering / scientific disciplines
• Joined-up thinking with social and public health
policies
• Linkage between public and occupational health
• Addressing well-being at work
• WHP returns on investment range € 2,5 to € 4,8
 New tools for those implementing prevention
• OiRA and interactive information sources
http://osha.europa.eu
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20. Research priorities: Preliminary findings
 Ongoing investigation into new technologies
• E.g. nanotechnologies, new energy technologies)
 Research into occupational exposures to chemical
and biological agents
• Including CMRs and also research into measuring techniques)
 Economic impacts of OSH and “non-OSH”
 Organisational and structural changes
• Impact on worker health and safety
 Demographic change
• Approaches to prolong the working life
http://osha.europa.eu
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21. Conclusions for EU-OSHA
 Europe is facing a undergoing major change
• How it works and
• Who is working
 There is significant variation in the situation in
Member States
• No “one size fits all” solutions
 A holistic, joined-up approach to prevention, with
legal, financial, and societal measures is required
• Cross-policy approach – no “silos”
http://osha.europa.eu
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22. Messages from workplace survey data
 Legislation is the principal driver for prevention
 Lack of awareness is the principal barrier to
prevention
 Micro and small firms need support
• Especially below 100 employees
 Worker participation and management leadership
are both key success factors to effective
prevention
http://osha.europa.eu
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23. Older workers pilot initiative
 Initiated by the European Parliament
 Considering issue of older workers from an OSH
perspective
 Supporting good age management practice
 Covering workplace health promotion; „return to work‟
and rehabilitation policies
 Recognising that a holistic approach is needed for
workers of all ages
http://osha.europa.eu
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24. Needs of small and micro-enterprises
Awareness raising Practical support tools
http://osha.europa.eu
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25. More information
http://osha.europa.eu
http://osha.europa.eu
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