“Workplace safety laws must be enforced”

Date: 29/11/01

By Martin Banks

MEMBER states that fail to enforce European Union health and safety laws in the workplace could soon find themselves being named and shamed.

The number of days lost through work-related injury and illness each year is 60 times greater than time lost through strikes and industrial disputes, according to a new report.

Last year alone, there were five million accidents at work throughout the EU, resulting in 5,500 deaths and 10,000 serious injuries.

Now the European Commission plans to take a tougher stance against those countries which fail to fully implement and enforce Community health and safety legislation.

Those countries with the highest rate of accidents in the workplace will also be named and shamed.

Employment and Social Affairs Commissioner Anna Diamantopoulou described the number of work-related accidents as "shocking and unacceptable".

She added: "More than 95 of European health and safety rules have been integrated into national laws but we must ensure that they are properly implemented and applied."

The Commission's new wide-ranging health and safety strategy - to be unveiled early in the New Year - will contain proposals for publicly naming member states failing to fully introduce safety laws.

Diamantopoulou said: "Legislation without enforcement is worthless. Proper enforcement, especially for smaller companies, requires assistance and guidance.

"Here, the role of labour inspectorates is vital both in monitoring formal compliance and in raising standards."

Member States that fail to enforce European Union health and safety laws in the workplace could soon find themselves being 'named and shamed'.