Ten years of progress in safety and health at work
1 min read
The central role of the 'European Agency for Safety and Health at Work' in promoting healthier, safer and more productive workplaces has been underlined in its annual report.
The report shines a spotlight on 2006’s impact on young workers and small businesses and shows how the Agency continues to improve the quality of working life in an expanding European Union.
Ten years after its creation, the Agency has consolidated its role in providing workers and employers with first-hand information and examples of good practice in the field of occupational safety and health. It promotes a culture of risk prevention and continues to strengthen cooperation with accession and candidate countries and organisations throughout the world.
Agency director Jukka Takala, pictured, says: “Occupational safety and health issues across national borders can only be tackled successfully through close cooperation between Member States. The Agency has set up a unique network in all EU countries and beyond to promote safer jobs, healthier people and stronger businesses.”
Key achievements are seen to be:
- The 'Safe Start campaign' was dedicated to improving the health and safety of the EU’s 75 million young workers.
- The 'Healthy Workplace Initiative' for small businesses was launched in the newest EU Member States and candidate countries.
- Protection of workers from new threats like avian flu is at the heart of the work of the 'European Risk Observatory'. The Agency responded quickly to this new biological risk by releasing up to date information on the web portal.
The annual report in English, with summaries in the 20 EU languages can be downloaded from its website.
