the current state of occupational safety and health in europe

Safety and health at work is everyone’s concern. It’s good for you. It’s good for business.

The current state of occupational safety and health in EuropeDr Christa Sedlatschek

DirectorNicosia 18th October 2012

http://osha.europa.eu

2

Overview

Changing nature of work in Europe

OSH management in Europe’s workplaces

Public perceptions

Views from the experts

Conclusions


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)


4

A “top heavy” European population


5

Fewer young and more older workers


6

Workability by age and occupation

<25 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-640

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

construction worker roofer

potter businesspeople

parliamentarian scientist

Age

Dayssickleave


7

Changes in business patterns

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/policies/sme/facts-figures-analysis/performance-review/index_en.htm


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…


9

Drivers for health and safety

% establishments, EU-27

10-19 employees 20-49 employees 50-249 employees 250+ employees0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Fulfillment of legal obligationRequests from employees or their representativesRequirements from clients or concern about the organisation’s reputationStaff retention and absence managementPressure from the labour inspectorateEconomic or performance-related reasons


10

Barriers to prevention

10 to 19 20 to 49 50 to 249 250 to 499 500 +0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

41 41 40

31

25

38 37 38

44

383835 33

40

25

7370

59

44 44

Lacking necessary expertise RA too time consuming/expensive

Too complex legal obligations on RA Not necessary, no major problems


11

0 100 200 300 400 500 6003

4

5

6

7

8

9

Sweden

Spain

Slovenia

Germany

France

The challenge of smaller enterprises

In some countries even the very smallest workplaces indicate high levels of health and safety measures and procedures.However, we must remember that without genuine management commitment these can be simply a ‘paper exercise’.


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Importance of worker representation

% establishments, EU27

75

80

85

90

95

100

10 to 19 20 to 49 50 to 249 250 to 499 500 + EU-27Average

Total Establishments with H&S representative

Risk assessment is more likely if there is a health and safety representative – especially in small firms.


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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


14

Public perception: Job-related stress


15

Public perception: OSH & economics


16

Public perception: OSH and retirement


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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


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


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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


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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


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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”


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


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


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Needs of small and micro-enterprises

Awareness raising Practical support tools


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More information


the current state of occupational safety and health in europe

Documents

older workers http

reduced pool of workers

older eu

fewer young

nature of work

heavy european populationhttp

europe osh management

weak economies