Occupational Health and Safety in the EU: Regulations and Practices

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Occupational Health and Safety in the European Union

The Single European Act and Worker Protection

A fundamental objective of the Single European Act is protecting the safety and health of workers, carrying out an improved working environment. The Pocuro member states provide the best working environment, avoiding distractions caused by directives relating to administrative, financial, and legal constraints that hinder the development of small and medium-sized enterprises compared to larger companies.

Functions of the Advisory Committee for Safety

The Advisory Committee for Safety has four key functions:

  • Assisting the committee in the preparation and implementation of activities in the field of health, safety, and protection at work.
  • Exchanging views and experiences with regulations.
  • Reporting to the commission jobs where training and research are needed.
  • Defining criteria for the control of accidents at work.

Promoting the European Foundation

The European Foundation is promoted through research studies represented in three aspects: goals to be achieved, key principles of action, and sections of the program.

Key Principles of Action

Four key principles of action are:

  • Effective participation of stakeholders.
  • Importance given to preventive actions.
  • Necessary equal opportunity and treatment.
  • Concern for economic efficiency.

Action Plans of the European Commission

The European Commission's action plans focus on:

  • Security and workplace ergonomics
  • Health and hygiene at work
  • Information
  • Education
  • SMEs
  • Social Dialogue

The Social Charter

The Social Charter outlines fundamental rights, including:

  • Freedom of movement for workers
  • Right to employment and fair pay
  • Improvement of living and working conditions
  • Right to adequate social protection
  • Freedom of association and collective bargaining
  • Vocational education
  • Equal treatment between men and women
  • Information, consultation, and participation of workers
  • Protection of health and safety at work
  • Protection of children and adolescents
  • Support for the handicapped

Characteristics of Obligations to Ensure Workers' Health

  • Universality
  • Health surveillance
  • Coordination and cooperation
  • Particularly sensitive information
  • The responsibility of the employer
  • Training in prevention
  • Participation
  • Progressive improvement

Defining Key Terms

  • Health: A state of physical, mental, and social well-being that must be fulfilled in equilibrium.
  • Risk: Work situations that might upset the balance of health in people.
  • Teamwork: Any machine, apparatus, tool, or installation used in the workplace.
  • Prevention: The set of activities or measures in all phases of business activity to avoid or reduce risks arising from work.
  • Safety: A set of techniques and procedures designed to eliminate or reduce the risk of accidents.
  • Unconscious Safety: Safety measures we instinctively apply in all walks of life.
  • Scientific Safety: In-depth analysis of the factors that cause risks and accidents, assessing their dangerousness to select appropriate measures.
  • Comprehensive Security: Encompasses all sorts of risks.

Types of Security Techniques

  • General or nonspecific
  • Operational
  • Specific to sectoral areas
  • Of conception
  • Preventive
  • Corrective
  • Protectionist
  • Training and information
  • Analytical

Factors Influencing Risk Identification Effectiveness

  • Training, defensive technique, and experience of the performer.
  • Actual knowledge of the production process to analyze.
  • Legislation, regulations, and projects related to the process or job to analyze.

Relevant Chapters of the Rules of Prevention Services

  • Chapter 1: General Provisions
  • Chapter 3: Organization of resources for preventive activities
  • Chapter 4: Accreditation of specialized organizations as preventive services outside the company
  • Chapter 7: Collaborative prevention services in the national health system

Fine Method for Assessing Occupational Hazards

The formula for the Fine method is:

GP = C * E * P

Where:

  • GP = Degree of Hazard
  • C = Consequences
  • E = Exposure
  • P = Probability

Risk Assessment According to Language Code

Risk assessment involves identifying the factor, description, and code number.

Hazards and Accidents in a Factory

Common hazards and accidents in a factory include:

  • Cutting
  • Crushing
  • Beating
  • Falls
  • Serious injury
  • Inhalation of toxic gases
  • Elements in the soil
  • Incorrect markings

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