(Rule 52)

A3-0315/94

Resolution on the General Framework for action by the Commission in the field of safety, hygiene and health protection at work [1994-2000]

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, especially Articles 117, 118A and 118B thereof,

-having regard to the General Framework for action by the Commission of the European Communities in the field of safety, hygiene and health protection at work [1994-2000] (COM(93)0560 - C3-0492/93),

-having regard to its resolutions of 13 September 1990 on the Commission action programme relating to the implementation of the Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers - priorities 1991-1992 and 15 December 1992 on the first report on the application of the Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers

-having delegated, pursuant to Rule 52, power of decision to its Committee on Social Affaires, Employment and the Working Environment,

-having regard to the report of its Committee on Social Affairs, Employment and the Working Environment and the opinion of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and Industrial Policy (A3-0315/94),

A.whereas Community policy in the field of health and safety has made great strides, especially since 1987, and has proved to be one of the more successful aspects in the building of a Social Europe,

B.whereas, however, the number of accidents and deaths occurring at work in the Community and the incidence of occupational disease are still unacceptably high,

C.whereas this represents an enormous and unnecessary human cost as well as being an economic burden to society; whereas improving health and safety at the workplace can enhance the competitiveness of European industry,

D.whereas the Community needs to make further strides to improve health and safety in individual sectors, both in respect of the materials used and for particularly sensitive risk groups as yet inadequately protected; whereas it also needs to ensure proper enforcement of existing rules, to raise awareness, training levels and information exchange and to develop cooperation with third countries and international organizations,

E.whereas the development of a programme to be called Safety Action for Europe (SAFE) would assist in promoting improved health and safety conditions in the workplace,

F.whereas the third action programme on health and safety which culminated in the successful 1992 European Year of Health and Safety should be followed by a fourth action programme,

1.Urges that the Commission bring forward a fourth action programme to run until the year 2000 as soon as possible;

2.Proposes that the fourth action programme comprise the following:

(a) New Initiatives

The Commission shall as a priority investigate the following and where necessary propose new or updated legislative instruments, or where appropriate non-legislative action:

-stress, both physical and mental,

-problems related to maintaining a particular posture, work methods which are monotonous or make repeated demands on particular mental or physical faculties, including work-related upper and lower limb disorders,

-shift work and night work,

-genetic screening and monitoring,

-development of guidance on risk assessment,

-health and safety implications of new technologies and production techniques,

-bullying and violence in the workplace,

-supplementary annexes to the Directive on physical agents, including audible acoustic fields.

The Commission shall also review existing Community legislation with a view to:

-extending, adapting and managing existing Directives where this is required in the light of new knowledge or circumstances,

-extending the Framework Directive to include the self-employed;

(b) Implementation and enforcement of existing Directives

The Commission shall ensure not only the correct implementation of EC Directives into national law but also their enforcement. Action shall include:

-drawing up periodic reports on the enforcement of Directives by Member States, particularly provisions of Directives where enforcement is left to national law or practice,

-development of cooperation between labour inspectors to include the setting up of a committee of labour inspectors,

-investigation of the role to be played by social partners and other organisations in enforcement,

-promotion of the idea of annual reports to be drawn up by individual companies.

In these tasks the Commission shall closely involve the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work.

(c) Information, training and education

The Commission shall:

-improve information exchange and cooperation on risks associated with physical, biological and chemical agents,

-promote regular public awareness campaigns on EC health and safety policy building on the experience gained from the European Year,

-improve the collection and dissemination of information and data on working conditions, risk assessment, occupational accidents and diseases and risks arising from new products or processes,

-improve the circulation of relevant information among social partners, labour inspectors and other interested organisations,

-define and develop training requirements in the field of health and safety for different groups of workers, managers, experts, and representatives of workers,

-promote health and safety issues in national education systems.

Special attention will given to the needs of SMEs.

The Commission will be assisted in these tasks by the future Health and Safety Agency.

(d) Research

In close cooperation with health and safety research carried out under the auspices of the Fourth Research and Development Programme, the Community shall:

-support research to improve knowledge and understanding about the workplace and risks associated with it,

-promote research into health and safety implications of new areas of work, new technology and new chemical substances, products and preparations,

-disseminate to all interested parties the results of research sponsored by the Community,

-promote research into cleaner technologies recognizing the link between the working environment and the broader environment.

(e)External relations

The Commission shall encourage closer relations with third countries with the aim of:

-raising standards in countries where levels of protection are lower than those found in the Community. This shall also be carried out in the context of the elaboration of a social clause within the new WTO,

-closer cooperation on health and safety with countries seeking membership or likely to seek membership of the Community,

-closer cooperation with ILO and WHO, including EC involvement in the elaboration of new ILO Conventions and Recommendations.

(f)Safety Action for Europe (SAFE)

The Commission shall propose the creation of a programme to be called Safety Action for Europe (SAFE), with its own budget line, which shall promote improved health and safety conditions at work by:

-promoting the integration of health and safety, the social and physical environment and quality management at the level of undertakings,

-promoting innovative approaches to emerging areas of risk and the new initiatives listed under (a),

-providing support for improved information exchange, education and training,

-monitoring and ensuring implementation of Community legislation in the health and safety field,

-supporting the development of practical solutions to workplace risks with particular reference to SMEs.

The programme will include a consultation mechanism for involving the social partners;

3.Urges the Commission to bring forward its fourth action programme in the field of health and safety in the form of a proposal for a Council Decision;

4.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, Council, Economic and Social Committee and Advisory Committee on Health, Hygiene and Safety.