Crystalline Silica: A Socio-Economic Review and Health Effects

1. The grounds for such an initiative This initiative benefits from a grant of the EC This initiative benefits from a grant of the EC NEPSI

2. Crystalline Silica is ubiquitous in nature : it forms 12% of the Earth crust ! "If man wishes to live in a silica free environment, he must move to another planet" Brian Coope A Socio-Economic Review of Crystalline Silica Usage September 1997 NEPSI

3. RCS health effects "Silicosis is a lung disease caused by inhaling damaging amounts of respirable free crystalline silica" • H. Weill, R. N. Jones, W. R. Parkes, Occupational Lung Disorders, 3rd edition, 1994 NEPSI

4. IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) • Crystalline silica hazard is limited to the workplace • Crystalline silica hazard is variable “Crystalline silica inhaled in the form of quartz or cristobalite from occupational sources is carcinogenic to humans (group 1).In making the overall evaluation, the Working Group noted that carcinogenicity was not detected in all industrial circumstances studied. Coal dust cannot be classified as to its carcinogenicity to humans (group 3)”. IARC Monograph 68, “Silica, silicates, dusts and organic dusts”, 1997 Crystalline silica is not a priority for classification in Directive 67/548 DG ENV- European Chemicals Bureau - Ispra Oct. 1998 & Sept. 2002 NEPSI

5. SCOEL¹(Scientific Committee for Occupational Exposure Limits) • Silicotics are at higher risk of lung cancer • Silicosis is a preventable disease • Silicosis control prevents cancer “The main effect in humans of the inhalation of respirable silica dust is silicosis. There is sufficient information to conclude that the relative risk of lung cancer is increased in persons with silicosis (and apparently, not in employees without silicosis exposed to silica dust in quarries and in the ceramic industry). Therefore preventing the onset of silicosis will also reduce the cancer risk.” SCOEL1 SUM Doc 94-final, June 2002 • SCOEL: European Commission DG EMPL NEPSI

6. Silicosis statistics • Chronic silicosis results from previous exposures (latency ~20 years) • Exposure to crystalline silica dust may be controlled Belgium: Fonds des Maladies Professionnelles France: Statistiques Financières et Technologiques des Accidents du Travail, CNAM UK: Health & Safety Statistics, HSE Germany: Berufgenossenschaften Statistiken NEPSI

7. Respirable quartz OELs in the EU …Limits alone are not enough (1) Other limits are applied for dust containing quartz (2) Since 1 October 2006 (3) No OELs for crystalline silica since 2005, instead there is a workers health protection system. NEPSI

8. Social Dialogue and the NEPSI Agreement This initiative benefits from a grant of the EC This initiative benefits from a grant of the EC NEPSI

9. Social Dialogue: a new approach • EC Treaty makes Social Dialogue a reality through its Articles 138 and 139 • Social Dialogue Agreements & process-oriented Texts • Two types of SD Agreements:Autonomous agreementsimplemented in accordance with the procedures and practices specific to management and labour and the Member States (MS) Agreements implemented by Council decisionimplemented at the joint request of the signatory parties by a Council decision (Council directives) on a proposal from the Commission NEPSI

10. The NEPSI Agreementunder Article 139 (1) & (2) EC Treaty • Agreement at European level • Contractual relationship between management and labourbinding in the EU the signatories and those who gave them a mandate • 2.Autonomous implementation • The Parties did not request a Council decisionSocial Partners are responsible for the implementation • Implementation in accordance with the procedures and practices specific to management and labour, and the MSPossibility to transpose the Agreement as it is at national level (e.g. inclusion in collective bargaining agreements) NEPSI

11. NEPSI The European Network for Silica 5 Extractive Sectors: Aggregates (UEPG), Cement (Cembureau), Industrial Minerals (IMA-Europe), Mines (Euromines), Natural Stones (EuroRoc) 9 consumer sectors: Ceramics (Cerame-Unie), Foundry (CAEF/CEEMET), Glass fibre (APFE), Special (ESGA), Container (FEVE)& Flat Glass (GEPVP), Mineral Wool (EURIMA), Mortar (EMO), and Pre-cast Concrete (BIBM)with their Unions’ representatives(EMCEF & EMF) NEPSI

12. i.e. more than 2 million Employees and a business exceeding € 250 billion NEPSI The European Network for Silica A total of 14 sectors handling, using or producing crystalline silica or products containing it NEPSI

13. NEPSI Signature Ceremony25 April 2006 NEPSI

14. An innovative initiative • Fourth Autonomous SDA after telework (2002), European licence for drivers carrying out a cross-border interoperability service (01/2004), and work-related stress (10/2004) Agreements • First multisectoral European Agreement • First Agreementalso signed by non-social partners having successfully been scrutinised by the EC as representative of their sector • First Agreement to be supported by a structured reporting process througha Council set up by the Parties • First European Agreement published in the Official Journal of the EU (17 Nov. 2006, section C) NEPSI

15. National ImplementationTools & Procedures • Implementation depends on national industrial relations systems • Bipartite solutions • Social partner agreements: guidelines for collective agreement negotiations • National sectoral collective agreements • Other bilateral social partner texts - sector, company and/or group level, e.g. works council agreements - guides & codes of good practices 2. Tripartite solutions • Through national legislation (fully or on some aspects) • Involvement of government at social partners’ request to assist implementation NEPSI

16. The Agreement This initiative benefits from a grant of the EC This initiative benefits from a grant of the EC NEPSI

17. The Objectives • The Agreement aims at • protecting the health of Employees • minimizing exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) by applying the Good Practices and • increasing knowledge about potential health effects of RCS and about Good Practices NEPSI

18. Agreement structure Core text of the Agreement Annex 1: Good Practices (Good Practice Guide, GPG) Annex 2: Dust Monitoring Protocol Annex 3: Reporting Format Annex 4: List of Research Projects Annex 5: Descriptions of Industries Annex 6: The Council – Secretariat Annex 7: Procedure for the Adaptation of the Good Practices Annex 8: Health Surveillance Protocol for Silicosis NEPSI

19. The Scope Covers the entire production and use of crystalline silica and materials/products/raw materials containing crystalline silica The Agreement complies with H&S European and national standards and directives which remain applicable at all times NEPSI

20. Principles Carry out an INITIAL RISK ASSESSMENT Based on the results of personal DUST EXPOSURE MONITORING Implement Good Practices (collective and if necessary personal protection measures) Provide information, instruction and training to the workforce Organise health surveillance Monitor the application of the Agreement & Good Practices (site level) REPORT to the NEPSI Council on the application of the Agreement (Annex 3) NEPSI

21. The core of the Agreement Risk assessment: through a simple series of Questions/Answers including detection of exposure to RCS and identification of existing control measures, if necessary exposure monitoring and implementation of additional control measures using the specific Task sheets provided in Part 2 of the GPG. Monitoring of the application of the Good Practicesat site and company level. Reporting from site to company, from company to national sector level, from national level to European sector level and from there to the NEPSI Council The NEPSI Council prepares a summary report on the application of the Agreement, to be sent to the European Commission and national authorities responsible for workers safety NEPSI

22. The Good Practice Guide (GPG) for Dust Prevention in the WorkplaceRespirable Crystalline Silica • Two parts: • Respirable Crystalline Silica Essentials • Task Guidance Sheets describing good practice techniques for various common tasks NEPSI

23. Definition of the objective Title and (repeated) sub-titles Employee checklist Concept of the GPGPart 2 - Task Sheets NEPSI

24. What does it mean in practice? This initiative benefits from a grant of the EC This initiative benefits from a grant of the EC NEPSI

25. Translation of the Agreement and GPG into 20 EU languages NEPSI Council Meeting 11/10/2006 SIGNATURE25/04/06 First Reporting May 2008 Entry into effect 25/10/06 Preliminary reporting on the status of application May 2007 Application of the Agreement • The Agreement, translated into the 20 official EU languages, has entered into effect 6 months after its signature, i.e. on 25 October 2006 • In 2007, a preliminary reporting on the status of application will be organized • Official reporting for the first time in 2008, and every 2 years from then on NEPSI

26. Application of the principles Carry out an INITIAL RISK ASSESSMENT Based on the results of personal DUST EXPOSURE MONITORING Implement Good Practices (collective and if necessary personal protection measures) Provide information, instruction and training to the workforce Organise health surveillance Monitor the application of the Agreement & Good Practices (site level) REPORT to the NEPSI Council of the application of the Agreement NEPSI

27. Risk assessment:identify RCS presence In the materials / process • Is crystalline silica present or generated? • Are fine particles present or generated? NEPSI

28. Risk assessment: monitor RCS level At the workplace • Assessment of personal exposure to RCS • IDENTIFY • Concerned substances & processes • Workers exposed • Locations, circumstances, frequency, duration of exposure • Existing control measures CARRY OUT Personal exposure monitoring See Annex 2 – Dust monitoring protocol COMPARE Your results to relevant exposure limits See Good Practice Guide Annex 1 NEPSI

29. Risk assessment Results:continuous improvement If ► Exposure to RCS is NOT detected ► Exposure to RCS is detected, but after assessment of personal exposure there isno potential for personal exposure levels to exceed the national OEL and dust control measures already satisfy the general prevention • Document your findings • (Continue to) Apply general prevention principles • Provide appropriate training to the workforce • Keep the situation under review in case things change NEPSI

30. Risk Assessment Results:implement good practices If ► Exposure to RCS is detected and personal exposure levels might exceed the national OEL and / or dust control measures do not satisfy the general prevention • Implement additional control measures using the Task sheets provided in Part 2 of the GPG as an illustration of Good Practices • Apply general Prevention Principles including appropriate training to the workforce • Document your findings NEPSI

31. TrainingArticle 5.4 ► Risks to health which may arise from exposure to RCS ► Good practices ► How to use the applied control measures In the Agreement, Employers have committed to organise periodic training on the implementation of Good Practices, while Employees have undertaken to follow this training. See Task Sheet 2.1.19 for guidance on the organisation and implementation of training NEPSI

32. Health Surveillance • Depending on the results of the risk assessment, the physician in charge of health surveillance will define for each site the scope of medical examinations to be performed according to: • National regulations • Art. 10 of Directive 98/24 as transposed into national law (individual health exposure records contents, access and confidentiality, follow-up and update…) • Annex 8 – Health Surveillance Protocol for Silicosis NEPSI

33. Health Surveillance for SilicosisAnnex 8 • Respiratory medical surveillance program including • Medical file established at the time of hiring and kept for 40 years after end of exposure • Medical examination of the thorax • Pulmonary / respiratory function testing • Chest X-rays NEPSI

34. Monitoring of the application at site and company level Site level One employee to monitor application on one / several sites Site report • One employee to: • Elaborate an action plan for monitoring (in cooperation with company workers’ representatives) • Collect and consolidate site reports Company level Company report National & sector levels NEPSI

35. Biennial Reporting (as from 2008) Quantitative, bottom-up reportingthanks to a form to be filled-in once every 2 years at site level and consolidated at company, country and sector levels Key performance indicators (%):number of Employees covered by compared to number of Employees potentially exposed to Respirable Crystalline Silica NEPSI

36. Reporting format – Annex 3 General information on reporting entity Exposure Risk Risk assessment & Dust monitoring Health surveillance Training Good Practices Key Performance Indicators NEPSI

37. Reporting format Communication flow NEPSI

38. The NEPSI Council (1) Each signatory European industry sector association and trade union federation is represented within a bi-partite Council, which meets at least every reporting year. The Council takes decisions by consensus or at a double majority of 75%. • The Council is in charge of: • adaptation of the Good Practices • communication with third parties through a secretariat • follow-up of the application of the agreement • consolidation of the biennial report NEPSI

39. Downstream user industry representatives nominated as vice-chairs Producing industry representatives nominated as chairs The NEPSI Council (2) NEPSI

40. The work starts now!!! The work starts now!!! You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do (Henri Ford) NEPSI

41. Getting prepared for application … This initiative benefits from a grant of the EC NEPSI

42. Keep the momentum going June 2008 reporting of the application 25 April 2006 • Disseminate • Advertise • Explain • Structure • Report on the status of implementation NEPSI

43. Disseminate • To the Members of the Signatory parties and… Press releases “Silica Task Force” + Social Dialogue Liaison Forum & Standing Working party of the Extractive Industry In some MS already, negotiations are opened to insert the SDA as it is in collective bargaining agreements, national NEPSI networks develop through national meetings Formal presentations at the DG ENT Raw Materials Supply Group & DG EMPL Advisory Committee for Safety and Health at Work + Publication in the OJ Translation into the 20 EU languages Signatories GA & TC meetings(e.g. UEPG H&S Committee)IMA SDA training Rome IMA CZ-SK Prague SAMSA/QPA LoughboroughMIF Paris, etc. NEPSI

44. Advertise Visit www.nepsi.eu NEPSI

45. Explain: Guidance tools • NEPSI (joint) Reading Guidelines to the Agreement Including short introductions to SDA and NEPSI • NEPSI (joint) Q/A • Individual training tools and sessions • Info pack available on www.nepsi.eu Including a contacts list, the guidelines and Q/A, the Agreement and GPG in the requested language, press releases, short presentation films, interesting websites, related events, … NEPSI

46. Structure: NEPSI today From a negotiation platform to the European Network on Silica… NEPSI

47. Sector (EU) association National member assoc. National member assoc. National member assoc. Report: 2007 implementation • Qualitative reportto be filled in at national level only, consolidated at sector (EU) and Council level • Practical instructions for a sensible communication chain prepared at sector level Sector (EU) association Leading company  national CHAMPION National member assoc. NEPSI

48. 2007 preliminary report Contents Practical modalities: deadline, addressee, short explanation… Reporting entity’s details • Dissemination of : • The Agreement • Application / training tools • Contacts and presentations (social partners, institutions, other stakeholders) NEPSI

49. 2007 preliminary report Contents • Application: • Organisation of training sessions (target, venue, subject) • Nomination of responsible persons • Research Free text NEPSI

50. 2007 preliminary report Recommendations To sector associations:Facilitate the communication flow  Nominate responsible individuals as national contacts, either within national members associations or as champions  Circulate a list of responsible individuals top-down, requesting to inform national contacts of NEPSI-related initiatives. • To national contacts: Integrate available information • Keep track of any initiative related to the implementation of the Agreement NEPSI