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Recent Dutch OSH developments

Own-account workers and working conditions (23.09.2011)

In this advisory report, the Social and Economic Council (SER) addresses the question of how to ensure that “self-employed persons with no staff” (i.e. own-account workers) can operate under the same working conditions as employed persons. The Council concludes that more provisions of the health and safety regulations should apply to them.
 

OSH Balance 2010 (06.07.2011)

OSH Balance 2010

Quality of work, effects and measures in the Netherlands
The OSH Balance (occupational safety and health) provides an overview of the current position and developments relating to working conditions in the Netherlands. Particular attention is being focused this year on the themes of new ways of working, sustainable deployment, health and safety in the workplace, and lifestyle. The general picture from the OSH Balance is a positive one.

Agression and violence in an international perspective (09.03.2011)

In the Netherlands, workplace violence is considered a major problem. Especially violence against ‘employees with public tasks’ get much attention (this concept refers to workers in the education and health sectors, public transport, social workers etc.). Therefore, the government in 2007 initiated the program ‘Safe Public Service’ (Veilige Publiek Taak). The Ministry of Internal Affairs is responsible for this program. The aim is to decrease the number of victims by 2011 with 15 percent.

Results of analysis work-related infectious diseases 2009 (25.08.2010)

The number of notifications of infectious diseases that were contracted during work is low in 2009 in the Netherlands; it represents only 1-2% of the total number of notifications of infectious diseases. Often the relationship with work is not registered or the source of infection is unknown. Research commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW) and carried out by the Center for Infectious Disease Control and Prevention (CIb) from the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), shows that, in comparison to previous years, a slight increase in notifications is observed. With this research, SZW aims to gather knowledge on work-related infectious diseases and share this knowledge with employers, employees and occupational health professionals, in order to enable them to take measures.

Surveillance of work-related infectious diseases in the Netherlands 2009 (04.06.2010)

As commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, the Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb) of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) has analysed the two systems currently used for the registration of infectious diseases in the Netherlands – namely, the registration system for notifiable infectious diseases (Osiris) and the system for the registration of occupational diseases used by the Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases (NCvB).

Occupational diseases in Figures 2009: many complaints of knee and hip (28.01.2010)

Musculoskeletal diseases are on top of the ranking of occupational diseases in 2008 to 42%. They are followed by noise induced hearing loss (34%) and mental disorders (17%). This is reflected in the report occupational diseases in figures 2009 of the NCvB.

HARM: a new method for determining risk of arm, neck or shoulder problems (13.08.2009)

HARM is a new online instrument that can be used to determine the health risk of arm, neck or shoulder problems. HARM stands for Hand Arm Risk-assessment Method and is intended to ascertain what health risks, if any, are posed by certain tasks performed using the hands and arms. The assessment applies to tasks in which primarily the hands and arms are actively used, but the legs and torso little if at all. These include assembly, sorting, packaging, woodwork sanding or working in a hair salon. Computer monitor work is not included in this category. HARM can be used to determine the most significant risk factors in the aforementioned hand and arm tasks. Moreover you can investigate what measures can be taken to reduce these risks.

National Survey on Working Conditions (NEA) 2008 (13.08.2009)

The NEA – National Survey on Working Conditions – is the largest periodic investigation into working conditions in the Netherlands. The NEA was conducted in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008. In 2008 more than 22,000 workers participated. The purpose of the NEA is to examine the quality of labour in the Netherlands. The NEA follows trends in labour risks, the effects of these risks, and measures taken by employers. The NEA data are also used to analyse the cohesion between different aspects of working conditions, the content of work, labour relations and employment conditions.

Employers' Labour Survey: a new labour survey among employers (13.08.2009)

The Employers’ Labour Survey (WEA) took place at the end of 2008 / beginning of 2009 and comprised a questionnaire distributed to employers in 5,000 companies and institutions. The questions address the topics of working conditions and social security, labour relations and employment conditions, company policy, personnel and general characteristics of the organisation, operating result and the sickness absence rate. The goal of the WEA is to monitor developments in these areas every two years.

Results of Arbo in bedrijf 2007 survey (09.02.2009)

A number of encouraging results have been achieved in working conditions in the Netherlands, according to the Arbo in bedrijf 2007 (Health and Safety in operation 2007) survey published in October 2008 by the Dutch Labour Inspectorate. It shows that 80 per cent of companies had an illness absenteeism policy in 2007. This is an increase over 2006 (79 per cent) and 2005 (76 per cent). The percentage of companies where employees lift heavy loads of 25 kilograms or more has declined slightly. Employees are also being exposed less often to harmful noise. In 2007 this occurred in 19 per

Prevention and Absenteeism Approach 2008 Report (09.02.2009)

Last summer the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment published a report on the Prevention and Absenteeism Approach 2008. During this survey in February and March last year, Dutch CAOs (Collective Labour Agreements) were considered in terms of their provisions on preventing and tackling absenteeism (due to illness) in the workplace. The intention was to update earlier research from 2005 and 2006 and to detail new developments. The survey was based on a random sampling of a total of 116 CAOs. All CAOs, as turned out, contained one or more provisions on preventing absenteeism. Researchers were concerned largely with provisions

Investigation into dealing with nanoparticles in the Dutch workplace (09.02.2009)

The measures Dutch industry and knowledge institutions use to protect employees in dealing with nanoparticles are largely similar to those in other countries. However improvement is possible when it comes to testing the measures for effectiveness, the exchange of information about dealing with nanoparticles and the distribution of information about good practices.   These are the most important results from a study published in the autumn of 2008 by the Centre of Expertise in Life Sciences (CEL) of the Hogeschool Zuyd university in Heerlen, the Expertise Centrum Toxische Stoffen (Expertise Centre for Toxic Substances or ECTS) of Arbo Unie in Roermond

Occupational illness in figures 2008 (09.02.2009)

The number of incidences of occupational illness in the building industry rose substantially in 2007. This is apparent from Beroepsziekten in cijfers 2008 (Occupational illness in figures 2008), a report for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment by the Nederlands Centrum voor beroepsziekten (NCvB or Netherlands Centre for Occupational Illness). Since 1999 all occupational health and safety services and company medical officers have been obliged to report occupational illness to this centre. Alongside the data from this national registration, the NCvB also uses data collected from the so-called sounding stations: projects in which a selected group of informants report

Working conditions in the Netherlands relatively favourable in 2007 and 2008 (09.02.2009)

Working conditions in the Netherlands are relatively favourable in comparison with other European Union countries, according to the Arbobalans 2007/2008 (Occupational Health and Safety Survey), compiled by the Work and Employment department of TNO Quality of Life under the auspices of the Dutch Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment. The survey shows that employment absenteeism among the Dutch working population has declined and that the number of industrial accidents has stabilised. Heavy sectors such as construction and industry also reported fewer physical hazards among employees than in other European Union countries. So far the Labour Inspectorate has approved the occupational

Brochures Working in the Netherlands and European employees in the Netherlands (08.09.2008)

Brochures Working in the Netherlands and European employees in the Netherlands

Recently two  brochures have been published: Working in the , containing a description of rights and obligations of employees from European countries European employees in the , containing information about agreements on social insurance and tax between the countries of the EU, EEA and Switserland. The full tekst of these brochures can be found below. More information: Working in the Netherlands (PDF) European employees in the Netherlands (PDF)  

Worklife in the Netherlands (17.06.2008)

Compared to their European counterparts, Dutch employees have varied and instructive work. Work that is of a high level and with a significant degree of independence.

Arbobalans 2006: Netherlands scores relatively well (19.05.2008)

The Netherlands scores relatively well in working conditions compared with other European countries. This is apparent from TNO’s ‘Nederlandse Arbobalans 2006’ or Dutch Occupational Safety and Health 2006, produced under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.

Two interesting reports from the Social and Cultural Planning Office (15.05.2008)

The Social and Cultural Planning Office of the Netherlands has recently published two interesting reports. Facts & Figures of the Netherlands offers an overview of the most important social and cultural trends in the Netherlands between 1995 and 2006. These include trends in education, employment and income, and social participation.

Dutch Labour Inspection 2008-2011: stricter controls for companies with higher safety risks (15.05.2008)

‘Tough where it’s needed and easy where it’s not.’ That’s the central message from the Dutch Labour Inspectorate in the 2008 Annual Plan and the Long-Term Strategy for 2008-2011.

Investing in workplace safety pays off (15.05.2008)

Five years ago the Netherlands’ Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment launched its ‘Programma Versterking Arbeidsveiligheid’ or Improving Occupational Safety Programme, aimed at reducing workplace accidents. The programme ended in April 2008. Investing in workplace safety pays off, the results have demonstrated.
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