European Week for Safety and Health at Work 2003 The AGENCY and DANGEROUS SUBSTANCES – HANDLE WITH CARE Finn Sheye Int

1. European Week for Safety and Health at Work 2003The AGENCY andDANGEROUS SUBSTANCES –HANDLE WITH CAREFinn SheyeInternational Network Manager EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

2. To help improve working conditions in the European Union by providing technical scientific and economic information to people with an interest in safety and health at work Aim of the Agency EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

3. Key Areas of Activity • Network development - building the links • Information services - communicating knowledge • Information projects - developing knowledge EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

4. EU Focal Points CCs Focal Points EFTA Focal Points EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

5. EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/ http://agency.osha.eu.int

6. EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

7. EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

8. Research • Inventory of socio-economic costs • New trends in accident prevention due to the changing world of work • Online funding guide for researchers EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

9. Construction Sector web feature Health care web feature Fisheries Sector Disabled web feature Good Practice EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

10. 2004 onwards (1) European Weeks for Safety and Health at Work • Dangerous Substances - 2003 • Construction – 2004 • (Noise – 2005) • (Young Workers – 2006) EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

11. 2004 onwards (2) Risk Sectors • Fisheries – 2002/03 • Education – 2003/04 • Agriculture – 2004/05 • (Metal Industry – 2005/06) • (Transport – 2006/07) EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

12. 2004 onwards (3) Priority Groups • Gender – 2002/03 • Disabled - 2003 • (Migrants/Foreign workers – 2004/05) • (Ageing workers – 2006/07) EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

13. The largest workplace safety and health campaign in Europe It is an annual event aimed at: - Promoting awareness and activities to reduce risks - Promoting good practice solutions What is European Week? EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

14. 16 million chemicals worldwide 30,000 commonly marketed in the EU 10,000 produced in volumes of more than 10 tonnes Use of biological agents is also increasing Why dangerous substances? EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

15. Diseases associated with dangerous substances include cancer, respiratory problems, dermatitis, neuro-psychological difficulties. Up to 10% of all asthma cases are work-related At least 4% of all cancers are due to hazardous substances at work High human costs EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

16. Occupational skin diseases cost the EU €600 million each year Occupational asthma costs €55,000 per patient Significant financial costs EXAMPLES: EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

17. Nearly 25% of workers in EU at risk • 32 million employees exposed to dangerous substances • 22% of workforce inhale hazardous vapours, fumes and other materials • 16% have direct contact with dangerous substances • 1 million workers exposed to biological agents EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

18. A PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS VIRTUALLY ALL SECTORS EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

19. Construction Dermatitis from Chromium VI in cement EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

20. Painting and printing Neurological risks from organic solvents EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

21. Farmers Respiratory problems and Parkinsons Disease from pesticides EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

22. Bakers and many more…. Asthma from flour dust EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

23. It is a decentralised European campaign involving EU Member States, EFTA, accession countries and candidate countries Each country organises its own programme of activities with main events taking please in October How does the campaign work? EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

24. The Agency produces and distributes materials (reports, factsheets, etc) in all 11 EU languages Creates a dedicated Web site at http://osha.eu.int/ew2003 Launches the Week at EU-level Runs a European Good Practice Award Organises the closing event together with the Italian EU-Presidency How does the Agency support these? EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

25. EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

26. The need for all firms to conduct a risk assessment and to provide relevant information to their workers The value of elimination, substitution or reduction Importance of other solutions, including personal protective equipment Good Practice Awards to highlight innovative solutions Solutions promotedduring the European Week EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/

27. EUROPEAN AGENCY FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORKagency.osha.eu.intThank you for your interest! EUROPEAN WEEK FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK — http://osha.eu.int/ew2003/