European Week for Safety and Health at Work
European Week 'Success is no accident' 1 to 5 October 2001
Every year in the European Union about 5,500 employees die as a result of industrial accidents. There are more than 4.5 million industrial accidents with more than three days absence from work, with in total about 146 million lost working days. The problem is particularly acute in small and medium-sized companies.
Most accidents can be prevented. The European Union has adopted guidelines aimed at protecting employees and improving health and safety at work. These measures include minimum requirements that should prevent industrial accidents. Specific guidelines provide a general framework of measures to manage, for example, safety, work equipment, the use of safety signalling, personal protection equipment and construction sites. Member states have drawn up legislation to prevent accidents. They also have practical guidelines and preventive means. The reduction in the number of industrial accidents is not only a moral and statutory obligation. Companies also have good economic reasons to make an effort in this regard. The most successful companies normally also have the best record in the area of accident prevention. Good health and safety pays.
Why should Europe tackle the problem of industrial accidents?
Throughout the whole of Europe the number of industrial accidents remains persistently high.
- Every year more than 5,500 people die in industrial accidents.
- More than 4.5 million accidents result in an absence of more than three days; this is about 146 million lost working days.
- The direct insurance costs alone of industrial accidents are estimated at €20 billion per year.
- Industrial accidents result in high costs due to absence caused by illness, lost production time and turnover, loss of personnel and recruitment costs for new personnel.
- Accidents take place in all economic sectors and are an acute problem in particular in companies with less than 50 employees.
- Slipping, tripping and falling are the cause of most accidents; followed by manual handling of loads, contact with moving or falling objects and transport accidents.
- Falls from a height and accidents with vehicles are often fatal.
This week was initiated by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and was held at the same time in all member states. In the Netherlands a conference was organised with the theme: Fewer industrial accidents due to tailor-made solutions? Representatives of employers (in particular those in the SME sector), employee organisations, health and safety services, health and safety inspectorate, policy makers and nominees for the good practice award discussed the above theme. The conference was opened by the State Secretary of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.
More information on the European Week in the other member states is available at http://osha.europa.eu/campaigns/ew2001/. The European Week was organised in the Netherlands by Focal Point Nederland.
