Case 7 EPH2022 Flashcards
*What legislation exists for occupational health?
- Framework directive 89/391/EEC - on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work
- Individual directives
- Article 153 TFEU Lisbon Treaty
- Article 114 TFEU Lisbon Treaty
- Council Directive 91/383/EEC
- Guidelines (non-binding documents which aim to facilitate implementation of Directives)
- Directive 2003/88/EC - Working Time - Safety and Health at Work - EU-OSHA
What is the aim of the framework directive 89/391/EEC?
- aims to encourage improvements in safety & health of workers at work
- Basic safety and legal act about general principles concerning prevention & protection of workers against occupational accidents & diseases
What are the general principles. ofpreventionlisted in the framework directive 89/391/EEC?
- avoiding risks
- evaluating the risks
- combating the risks at source
- adapting the work to the individual
- adapting to technical progress
- replacing dangerous by non- or less dangerous
- developing prevention policy
- prioritising collective protective measures (over individual protective measures)
- giving appropriate instructions to workers
What are the responsibilities of the employer according to framework directive 89/391/EEC?
- evaluate risks to safety & health of workers
- measures improving level of protection for workers
- consult workers on introduction of new technologies;
- designate workers to follow protection & prevention of occupational risks
- list of occupational accidents & authorities reports
- inform & consult workers & allow to take part in discussions
- ensure workers receives adequate safety & health training
- Psychosocial risk management
What are the responsibilities of the employee according to framework directive 89/391/EEC?
- correct use of machinery, apparatus, tools, dangerous substances, etc & PPE
- immediately inform employer of any work situation presenting an immediate danger & shortcomings in protection arrangements
- cooperate with employer in fulfilling any requirements created for protection of health & safety & in enabling him to ensure that working environment & working conditions are safe and pose no risks.
What does the framework directive 89/391/EEC not cover?
- Covrs almost all employees, except domestic servants (and self employed)
- Self employed is becoming a problem because more and more poeple are self-employed nowadays mostly due to economic developments/crisis.
What are individual directives?
- Additional to framework directive
- Focus on specific aspects of safety & health at work
- Where individual directives contain more stringent and specific provisions, these special provisions prevail.
- define how to assess these risks and, in some instances, set limit values for certain substances or agents.
What are the principles of the individual directive?
- Specific tasks (e.g. manual handling of loads)
- Specific hazards at work (e.g. exposure to dangerous substances or physical agents)
- Specific workplaces and sectors (e.g. temporary work sites, extractive industries, fishing vessels)
- Specific groups of workers (e.g. pregnant women, young workers, workers with a fixed duration employment contract)
- Certain **work-related aspects **(e.g. organisation of working time)
*What are some issues with the framework directive 89/391/EEC?
- Technically temporary workers would be covered in this framework directive but it is difficult to implement. In 1991 created council directive 91/383/EEC supplementary directive for temporary/precarious workers
*What is the purpose of the council directive 91/383/EEC?
measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health at work of workers with a fixed- duration employment relationship or a temporary employment relationship
What are specific workplace subjects covered by legislaltion
1.Workplace
* temporary/mobile construction sites
* Safety and/or health signs
* Explosive atmospheres
* Surface/underground mineral extracting industries
Who has legal control in the EU?
- EC is responsible for overseeing & implementation of EU legislation by individual MS
- EC should develop oversight arrangements, policies to promote compliance with legislation & correct infringements of EU law
- Individual MS are responsible for implementation and control EU law, e.g. by using Labour inspectorates
- In the end, employers have to act upon EU law
I think this is commission
What is an infringement procedure?
Commission may take legal action against an EU country that fails to implement EU law.
What is the background & history of EU involvement in OHS?
- Prime objective of EU: to create single market based on the fundamental economic freedoms (free exchange of goods and services)
- Common standards in quality & safety are necessary to prevent unfair competition between MS and protect citizens.
E.g. If 1 MS, does not have to take into account employee safety & can pay lower salaries, then you get an unfair competition with MS that have stricter rules.
What are the 3 main institutions of the EU?
- European parliament
- Council of. theEU
- European Commission
What is the role of European parliament?
- part of the legislative, or law making, process in the EU
- represents the EU’s citizens and is directly elected by citizens
What is the role of the council of EU?
- ministers from each EU country meet to discuss, amend and adopt laws, and coordinate policies.
- Presidency of the Council is shared by the MS on a rotating basis every 6 months.
- sets the EU’s overall political direction - but has no power to pass laws