European legislation is essential in the field OSHA. It protects the EU’s nearly 170 million workers and ensures decent working conditions.
The EU Strategic Framework on Health and Safety at Work for 2021-2027 sets an ambitious ‘Vision Zero’ target to eliminate work-related deaths in Member States by 2030. With this new strategy, EU Commission aims at creating a safer workplace that meets new requirements arising from pandemics, digital and green transitions, and new work forms.
“Some €476bn could be saved each year with the right strategies, policies and practices for safety and health at work”
Over the past 40 years, there has been a significant drop in work-related injuries due to technological and scientific advances. A solid culture that encourages prevention is the key to achieving Vision Zero, in the collective interest of workers and employers.
Vision Zero should not be restricted to deaths, but should also address workplace injuries and illnesses. More than 4.6 Million work-related accidents were reported to the EU in 2020. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and the International Labour Organisation have calculated that diseases and accidents at work cost 3.3 per cent of the EU’s GDP. Some €476bn each year could be saved with the right strategies, policies and practices for safety and health at work.
A study by the International Social Security Association shows that employers save more than €2 for every one they invest on improving safety and health at work. Promoting health is a key factor in work. Employers are increasingly aware of the benefits of implementing workplace health promotion policies and promoting healthy lifestyles.
Despite these considerable improvements and the Commission’s lofty ambitions, Europe’s workers are not all equally protected. The OSH strategy does not apply to self-employed workers, including platform workers. A food delivery driver who is involved in an accident with a food courier runs the risk not only of serious injury but also of losing their income due to a lack social protection. The EU initiative to improve working conditions for platform workers must include strong references regarding OSH.
Although seasonal migrants have the same rights as citizens of their host countries, violations of safety and health requirements are common. Undocumented migrants are particularly vulnerable. It is also time to properly enforce EU and national legislation in the agrifood sector.
The Common Agricultural Policy reform will finally allow for the suspension of payments to farmers that fail to respect workers’ rights, as suggested by the European Parliament and the European Committee of the Regions several years ago.
Seasonal workers are particularly vulnerable to the Covid-19 pandemic because of their precarious and unhealthy living and working conditions. The majority of workers in most other sectors, such as healthcare, where remote work was impossible, were women. The Commission recommended that Member States recognize Covid-19 as an occupational illness.
A growing number of workers are expected to continue working from home even after the pandemic. Particular attention therefore needs to be on teleworkers’ working conditions, including ergonomics and the ‘right to disconnect’. The Commission should also be quick to implement an EU-wide initiative regarding mental health at work, in order to assess emerging issues.
“In 2020, more than 4.6 million work-related accidents were reported in the European Union”
The workplace landscape is constantly changing with technological advances and digitalisation. Robots and artificial intelligence (AI) can help reduce the risk of dangerous tasks previously performed by workers.
However, it is crucial to anticipate the potential problems that these technologies could cause. In order to ensure that AI at work is human-centred, workers must be involved in the dialogue and social partners are involved.
Regional and local authorities deal with occupational safety issues on-the-ground, supervise the implementation EU/national legislation, and serve to be an example for employers. They can promote progress in occupational safety and health, and build a culture of protection and prevention by collaborating with the EU and relevant national authorities.
We ask the European Commission to create an online tool for cities and regions to provide guidance to the European legislator regarding safety and health at work.
The world of work is changing rapidly. This means that we need to address safety and health at work faster than ever before. Vision Zero can only be achieved through an in-depth dialogue between stakeholders, including local authorities and regional authorities.