MEPs call for better protection of workers from occupational diseases and workplace accidents
Employment policy - 10-01-2008 - 09:44
In an own-initiative report on the "Community strategy 2007-2012 on health and safety at work", the Employment and Social Affairs Committee regrets that the Commission "is silent on targets for the reduction of occupational diseases". MEPs in the committee also repeat their call for better protection of healthcare workers from blood borne diseases. Besides, new and emerging risks e.g. from nanotechnologies had to be identified, and asbestos needed to be phased out.
The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates that in the EU in 2006, approximately 167,000 people died from a work related accident or disease. Another 300,000 workers suffer permanent disability every year, estimates the Commission.
Protect healthcare workers from blood borne infections
The report by Glenis Willmott (PES, Labour, East Midlands, UK) criticises that the Commission did still not propose to amend the "directive on the exposure to biological agents at work" so as to protect healthcare workers from blood borne diseases due to needle stick injuries. MEPs warn that healthcare workers are at risk of contracting more than twenty life-threatening viruses such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV/Aids. Committee members expect "a suitable amendment to the directive to be adopted well before the end of the legislature in mid-2009".
New legislation on occupational diseases and musculoskeletal disorders needed
The Commission has set itself the ambitious target of reducing workplace accidents across the EU by 25 %. But also for the reduction of occupational diseases - such as occupational cancer - targets need to be set, says the Employment and Social Affairs Committee. MEPs in the committee, therefore, suggest transforming the EU recommendation on occupational diseases into a minimum directive. They are also concerned about the increasing occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and therefore ask the Commission to consider proposing a directive for MSD. The report notes the scientifically proven link between growing stress at the workplace and the diseases it gives rise to, particularly chronic illnesses, cardiovascular diseases and musculoskeletal disorders.
Identify new and emerging risks and phase out asbestos
The committee also stresses the need "to identify and monitor new and emerging risks, e.g. nanotechnologies and psychosocial risks, in good time".
Member States should draw up national action plans on phasing out asbestos which should include obligations to map asbestos in buildings and to provide for a safe removal, say MEPs in the committee.
Obligatory job retention
The report calls on governments to ensure that people who have experienced a physical or mental illness during their working lives retain their jobs e.g. through training or reallocation of tasks.
Corporate Social Responsibility
The committee considers the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as one of the effective tools to improve the competitiveness, better occupational and safety at work, better working environment and in this aspect encourages exchange of good practices at local, national and European levels among the Member States and globally at multinational level as well as further applying of CSR on voluntary bases, but as an integrated part of business strategies for development.
Glenis WILLMOTT (PES, UK)
Rapporteur
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides...erence=20071213BRI15257&secondRef=ITEM-013-EN
