EESC calls for a safer, healthier workplace for all

At its September 2025 plenary session, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) adopted a forward-looking opinion on achieving the EU’s “Zero Deaths” goal in workplace health and safety. It sets out a comprehensive vision for occupational safety and health (OSH) in a rapidly changing world of work.

Requested by the Danish Presidency, the EESC’s opinion calls for active, inclusive prevention and stronger cooperation across all sectors and Member States, while underscoring the need for universal OSH protection (regardless of employment status or job type). It advocates for robust, EU-wide standards, complemented by sector-specific approaches to address the unique risks faced by different industries. The Committee calls for all workers – including subcontractors and remote workers – to be covered by inclusive OSH systems.

Setting A New Standard for Workplace Safety

Universal protection is at the heart of the EESC’s recommendations. The Committee emphasises that occupational safety and health (OSH) standards must aim to maintain the highest level of physical, mental and social well-being for workers and must be applied to all workers, regardless of their employment status or the nature of their job. This approach ensures that vulnerable groups and those in non-standard forms of employment are not left behind, promoting a truly inclusive and equitable safety culture across the European workforce.

The EESC stresses that OSH is first and foremost a shared responsibility and highlights the importance of stakeholder cooperation. Closer collaboration between social partners, employers, workers and institutions is essential for effective prevention. The Committee calls for joint training initiatives and knowledge-sharing platforms to address both traditional and emerging risks, fostering a proactive and united approach to workplace safety.

A comprehensive risk assessment framework is another key pillar of the opinion. The EESC stresses that risk evaluations should go beyond physical hazards to include climate-related dangers and psychosocial risks. This holistic perspective is vital for adapting to the evolving world of work and ensuring that all potential threats to workers’ well-being are identified and managed.

How to adapt to the changing realities of work

Recognising the changing realities of work, the EESC encourages Member States to treat commuting accidents as occupational accidents. This measure would not only improve prevention strategies but also enhance the comparability of data across the EU, supporting more effective policy development and implementation.

Education and training are identified as fundamental drivers of safer workplaces. The Committee advocates for the integration of OSH training into education systems, traineeships and apprenticeships. Employers should provide job-specific instruction, while educational institutions offer general safety education, ensuring that all workers are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to stay safe.

The opinion also calls for gender and demographic sensitivity in OSH policies. As Europe’s workforce ages and becomes more diverse, it is crucial that safety strategies are adapted to support older workers and address gender-specific risks, creating a more supportive and responsive environment for everyone.

Updates, enforcement and the role of AI

Regular review and updating of the EU OSH acquis is recommended to keep pace with new work patterns and technological advancements. The EESC insists that legislation and guidelines must remain relevant and effective in the face of rapid change, ensuring ongoing protection for all workers.

Enforcement and support are also central to the Committee’s vision: stronger enforcement of OSH regulations is needed, with adequate staffing for labour inspectorates and robust support for social partners. This will help promote good practices and ensure that safety standards are upheld across all sectors.

Finally, the EESC supports the responsible use of artificial intelligence for risk monitoring and prevention. However, it stresses that safeguards must be in place to guarantee transparency, data integrity, and the mitigation of bias, ensuring that technological innovation serves to enhance, rather than compromise, workplace safety.

Making "zero deaths" a reality

The EESC’s message is clear: achieving zero deaths at work is both an ethical imperative and a practical necessity for a resilient, competitive Europe. By investing in prevention, fostering cooperation, and adapting to new challenges, the EU can lead the way in workplace health and safety. The Committee calls on all stakeholders to work together to make “zero deaths” a reality for every worker in Europe