Priority group
Young people and young workers
Young workers and young people in general are particularly vulnerable in work environments where there is inadequate occupational safety and health (OSH) provision, with a high incidence of work-related accidents and illnesses . They may lack experience, physical and psychological maturity, and awareness of health and safety issues. They may lack skills and training. They may be unaware of their employer's duties and their own rights and responsibilities, and they may lack confidence in raising OSH issues.
Tomorrow's workers need a thorough grounding in the health and safety aspects of their future careers. This means more than just knowing how to comply with regulations. Young people should come to the workplace already aware of OSH issues, and part of a culture of risk prevention.
Integrating - or 'mainstreaming' - OSH in education is vital in developing a prevention culture among young workers and young people in general and an integral part of this approach is to ensure that young people are qualified in the core principles of risk awareness and prevention before they enter the world of work.
Teaching risk awareness and OSH should be seen as a high priority by all those with an interest in educating and protecting young people. The thinking behind is that the sooner children and young people get acquainted with the concept of safety and health, then the sooner they can develop risk awareness, and the better they can shape their own safety and health environment in their future working and private lives.
From these webpages (EL) you will find information on the following issues:
- Why occupational safety and health (OSH) is a crucial issue for young people and young workers
- Statistical data and facts at European level
- The importance of mainstreaming OSH into education
- The European Agency's programme: "Mainstreaming OSH into education and occupational training"
- A model for mainstreaming OSH into education and occupational training
- The process for mainstreaming OSH into education and occupational training
Employees and employers in SMEs
The European Union counts 19 million Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs), which correspond to at least 99% of all EU business establishments, and employ almost 75 million workers– approximately 65% of the total EU work force. On the very opposite of this impressive data, lies the sad ascertainment of insufficient occupational safety and health offered by SMEs, since, in most cases, they have limited resources regarding their financial and managerial capabilities.
This explains why Small to Medium Enterprises constitute EU’s greatest challenge in the Occupational Safety and Health sector. The challenge is to make obvious the need for higher safety and health standards to an unwilling public, that is occupied mainly with the struggle for survival in a competitive environment, where, very often, the prevention of occupational risks ranks low in the list of priorities.
To confront this challenge, the European Council, in the framework of the “Community Strategy on Safety and Health at Work 2002-2006”, financially supported the European Agency for Occupational Safety and Health, with the aim to develop a strategy for the promotion of higher occupational safety and health standards in SMEs.
From these webpages (EL) you will find information on the following issues:
- Health and Safety in SMEs– A European Priority
- SMEs Funding Programs
- A study of the European Agency upon the effective support of Occupational Safety and Health issues in SMEs.
- An on-line guide regarding safety and health in European Small and Medium size Enterprises.
- Information sources
- Examples of SME's Funding programs
Ageing workforce
Demographic ageing, the increase of the proportion of older people in the whole population, is above all the result of significant economic, social and medical progress giving Europeans the opportunity to live a long life in comfort and security that is without precedent in our history. However it is also one of the main challenges that the European Union will have to face in the years to come, since the demographic ageing is leading to far-reaching consequences and challenges for the world of work.
The demographic challenge facing the European Union is that, over the next 20 years, the average age of the working population will increase and the number of people of working age will decline. To achieve more sustainable economic and social development, the EU has set itself the target of increasing the employment rate of older people.
Results of various studies show that a higher labour market participation and higher employment rates of older workers can be achieved if special conditions are created and suitable strategies implemented. A longer working life can only be promoted if the necessary and adequate conditions are achieved, for ensuring:
a) the occupational safety and health standards,
b) the work organisation, and
c) the learning in the company.
From these webpages (EL) you will find information on the following topics:
- «Ageing Workforce»
- Facts and statistical data for the ageing workforce in Europe
- Ageing policies in Europe
- Ageing workforce and enterprises in Europe: A challenge for workplace health promotion
- Hazards and risks associated with older workers
- Pre-requisites for successful age management
- Role of key actors in age management policies
