European Agency News

EC calls for smoke-free Europe

Unions against child labour

IOHA 2010 - HEALTH, WORK AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

The occupational hygienist and the integration of environment, health and safety
 

Youth Employment policies and Social Dialogue

Guidance documents (TRGS) in English

Aluminium and aluminium compounds; Evaluation of the effects on reproduction, recommendation for classification

New ‘Driving for Work Guidelines’

EU, ECTA - conference report

Low back pain is common and can be extremely painful. It can be difficult to cope with the severe pain but fortunately it is rarely due to serious disease. There are things that employers and workers can do to manage back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), in the workplace. People can be helped to remain in work or helped to make an earlier return to work.

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Upper limb disorders (ULDs)

EU-Call for Tenders VT/ 2009/005

Support for Voluntary initiatives promoting diversity management at the workplace across the EU.

Details:
Published in Official Journal no. 2009/S 090-129067 on 12/05/2009
Deadline for receipt of bids: 24/07/2009 (16:00h for bids delivered by hand)
Opening of bids: 04/08/2009 (at 10:00h)

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Call for Tenders VT/ 2009/049

Call for Proposals VP/ 2009/010 RESTRUCTURING, WELL-BEING AT WORK AND FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION.

Details:

Deadline: 1 September 2009 for activities commencing no earlier than 3 November 2009 and no later than 21 December 2009.

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The health of children and young people is a key priority for the Commission.

As a part of its idea to empower young people to become active partners in actions to improve their health, the Commission has set up a new Initiative on Youth and Health.

This initiative will gather all youth-related initiatives in health and related policy areas across the Commission under one banner.

Amongst the other themes of different aspects of children and young people's health, this website focuses on health at work.

More information

Pour contrer le fléau des troubles musculo-squelettiques (TMS), la Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du Québec (CSST) a expérimenté, vers les années 2004-2005, une nouvelle approche en prévention. Selon cette approche, des entreprises sont ciblées sur la base des TMS compensés. Un inspecteur se présente en entreprise et évalue les facteurs de risque sur le ou les postes pour lesquels des réclamations ont été acceptées. Dans le cas où il y a présence de risque, l’inspecteur somme l’entreprise de corriger la situation. L’entreprise est libre d’utiliser l’intervenant de son choix et l’approche d’intervention qu’elle souhaite.

L’Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST) a suivi huit interventions de prévention des TMS initiées par des inspecteurs de la CSST et vient de publier une étude exploratoire qui semble indiquer que l’approche de la CSST a des impacts positifs.

Pour télécharger le document: http://www.irsst.qc.ca/files/documents/PubIRSST/R-610.pdf

Employers and employees should practice good personal hygiene measures – use a disposable tissue to control coughs/sneezes, dispose of it appropriately and wash your hands before eating, drinking etc.  In addition you should:

• Advise your staff to stay at home if they are sick with flu-like symptoms.
• Send home any employees who are displaying flu-like signs/symptoms

The number of people in public places who are displaying symptoms is likely to be limited. Therefore it should not be necessary for workers to wear masks routinely when in contact with the general public.

However, there may be some situations when it will be advisable for a worker to wear a mask. Such a situation will depend on the nature of the work and where it is to be carried out.

Employers should carry out a risk assessment and, amongst other things, gauge:

• If workers are likely to encounter members of the public who are displaying symptoms, for example, in a healthcare setting it is highly likely that contact with the public (patients) will include persons who have symptoms of influenza;
• Where contact with people displaying symptoms is likely, whether any measures can be taken to minimise contact;
• The duration and frequency of contact with members of the public.

Advice on the types of face masks available and how to select the appropriate one for your employees, can be found on the DH website[1] and on the HSE biosafety website[2].

Occupational health aspects in the prevention of swine influenza among health care workers: WHO document, “Infection prevention and control in health care in providing care for confirmed or suspected A(H1N1) swine influenza patients - Interim Guidance”. The document can be downloaded here

On Wednesday 22 April 2009, a milestone was passed: diplomas were awarded to Belgium’s first disability case managers. The knowledge and skills of participants from various sectors (including HRM, occupational health and safety services, mutual health insurance schemes, rehabilitation centres, insurance companies, trade unions and centres for support in returning to work) were optimised during the disability case manager training programme, the main aim being to ensure better support for workers with long‐term health problems and/or functional restrictions during the process of reintegration and job retention.

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An April 28 seminar for health and safety representatives and members of 11 Maltese trade unions is being organized by the General Workers’ Union (GWU) of Malta. The theme of the seminar is the evaluation of risk assessment

At the close of the seminar, His Excellency, the Archbishop of Malta, Mons. Paul Cremona, will conduct a religious service at the premises of the GWU.

For more information, visit the GWU website at: www.gwu.org.mt.

Eurofound launches special website for European Day on Solidarity and Cooperation between Generations, 29 April 2009

Over the last 50 years there has been enormous economic and social progress in Europe and – although there are large regional and social differences – Europeans are living longer than ever before: on average eight to nine years more than in 1960. This coincides with other demographic developments: fewer children are being born, which will mean fewer people paying into state pension and healthcare systems, and a smaller pool of potential carers. The increased lifespan is great news – particularly if accompanied by more years in good health – but also poses many questions for individuals, their families and for social systems. How long do I need to work? When can I afford to retire? Does my employer value my skills? Do governments recognise my contribution in providing care and volunteering?

To mark the occasion of the ‘European Day on Solidarity and Cooperation between Generations’, on Wednesday 29 April 2009, Eurofound has launched a special website which brings together its recent findings, data and recommendations on issues related to the employment of older people, and active ageing issues, and the solidarity between generations.

These cover reports such as ‘Living and Working in Europe’, a snapshot of what it means to live and work in Europe at the start of the 21st century; ‘Working longer, living better – Europe’s coming of age’, a fact sheet on pertinent issues, data and recommendations to the European debate on demographics in Europe; ‘Working longer, living better – What companies can do’, a fact sheet on the different flexible working time options that European companies put in place to meet the needs or preferences of older workers to work’; and ‘A guide to good practise in age management’, a report that reviews case studies from a range of organisations across the EU that have instituted good practice in recruiting, supporting and retaining older workers.

29 April 2009 will be the first European Day on Solidarity and Cooperation between Generations, as proposed during the Slovenian EU Presidency. This day will raise awareness about the need to promote intergenerational solidarity.