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Attention: European correspondents, health and safety media

New European health and safety plans will need new laws, new money and new vision

The TUC is calling on Members of the European Parliament to introduce new laws on stress and RSI; set Europe wide targets for reductions in workplace injuries, illnesses and sickness absence; and reverse an 80% cut in the health and safety staff of the European Commission that has left just 24 people running the European Union’s health and safety system!

In a briefing for MEPs published today (Saturday) ahead of European Parliament hearings next Wednesday (19 June) on the European Commission’s planned EU strategy on health and safety at work, the TUC says that tougher health and safety standards could actually help new industries like genetics and biotechnology develop, because without protections, the public will reject new technologies. Laws on stress and RSI could similarly help European workers and businesses adjust to the demands of the new economy without the loss of skilled staff that often results from the newest workplace illnesses.

TUC General Secretary John Monks said:

'If Europe is going to compete better in the global economy, we can’t burn out our workers, or ignore the risks that come with new technologies. We need a sustainable workforce in sustainable working environments doing sustainable jobs. But the European Commission can’t do all that on a shoestring - health and safety is an investment that pays off in workers’ health and better business.'

The TUC’s briefing for MEPs will be available on the web from Saturday, 15 June at www.tuc.org.uk/h_and_s/tuc-4981-f0.cfm - it lists ten top priorities for action by MEPs:

• setting a clear timetable for proposed negotiations between employers and unions on stress so that if agreement is not in prospect, legal protections can be introduced;

• updating legislation to tackle RSI, extending the existing manual handling Directive to cover the repetitive handling of smaller loads;

• European Union-wide targets for the reduction of fatal and serious workplace injuries, occupational illness and the resulting sickness absence with supporting targets in sectors and regions;

• a fully costed action plan for implementing the EU health and safety strategy over the next four years with firm timetables so that progress can be measured;

• at least doubling the number of staff working on health and safety;

• ensuring that EU funds are not given to employers who do not have good health and safety arrangements, using public procurement measures;

• continuing the current pilot funding programme on health and safety in small firms;

• funds for employers and unions to twin with their opposite numbers in EU applicant countries, to ensure targeted support for the development of tripartite systems of health and safety;

• action to ensure that gender sensitive approaches to health and safety are developed, and legal protections for older workers (like those for young workers in the Young Workers Directive); and

• creating a properly funded 'new risks observatory' at the European Agency for Safety and Health in Bilbao to look at how to prevent new risks harming workers.

Notes to Editors:

All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk

A series of TUC rights leaflets are available on our website and from the know your rights line 0870 600 4 882. Lines are open every day from 8am-10pm. Calls are charged at the national rate.

Contacts:

Media enquiries: 020 7467 1248 or email media@tuc.org.uk

Other enquiries: Owen Tudor, TUC health and safety specialist,on 07788 715261 (mobile) or otudor@tuc.org.uk

Press release (600 words) issued 15 Jun 2002