How can an active and inclusive prevention approach contribute to better health and safety at the workplace – 0-death goals?

Key points

The EESC:

• recommends that the EU and the Member States ensure that occupational safety and health (OSH) protection and prevention of OSH risks are ensured for all people at work according to the OSH framework directive, regardless of their employment contract, job title, or training path. This protection includes a minimum and comprehensive standard of physical, mental, and social well-being in the workplace;

• recommends strengthening cooperation and shared responsibility among all stakeholders, particularly the social partners, to ensure effective OSH management. Active involvement of workers’ representatives and the promotion of social dialogue at company level are essential;

• recalls the importance of comprehensive risk assessments that address all physical and psychosocial occupational risks to which workers are exposed. These can be linked to new work models and environmental challenges;

• emphasises that integrating training with work experience is vital for young people’s OSH. A culture of safety needs to be promoted. It is necessary to ensure that a gender-sensitive approach is adopted in training and workplace practices;

• recommends adapting OSH policies to demographic trends, with particular attention given to the ageing workforce;

• recommends regular assessment of the implementation of the EU OSH acquis and, where appropriate, its evidence-based updating to reflect evolving work patterns;

• stresses the importance of stepping up compliance and enforcement of existing OSH rules as a key step towards achieving the Zero Deaths goal. Trade unions and employers’ organisations should also be supported in their role of monitoring and disseminating good practices in workplace OSH and of identifying risks.