Members of the European Committee of the Regions today adopted an opinion prepared by EPP-CoR member Sergio Caci on the EU strategic framework on health and safety at work which aims to manage changes in the context of the green and digital transition, improving the prevention of work-related accidents and increasing preparedness to respond to current and future health crises.
The opinion emphasises that the EU Strategic Framework on health and safety at work – with its Vision Zero approach to work-related deaths – will require local and regional authorities (LRAs) to address the problems in this area and implement the objectives of the framework directly on the ground. It add that they should do this through oversight, training, by building a culture of prevention and worker protection, and by working together through the exchange of experience and good practices.
Presenting his opinion, Sergio Caci, Mayor of Montalto di Castro said " We call on the Commission to create a dedicated digital tool (such as a portal) that complements the EU-OSHA's European survey of enterprises on new and emerging risks (ESENER), to which regions and cities can refer when they consider it appropriate or necessary to provide guidance to the European legislator on health and safety at work."
In the opinion, the rapporteur said that LRAs are on the fornt line and should thus lead by example in their capacity as employers. They should thus ensure the full implementation of the measures proposed in the Strategic Framework. Furthermore, the opinion invites LRAs, to pay particular attention to the working conditions, including health and safety at work, offered by contractors and their subcontracting chains, when awarding public contracts.
In his concluding remarks, Caci said that the working environment has gone through a transformation because of the pandemic and telework had become the predominant way of working. In this regard, Caci called for a framework on the working conditions of teleworkers, covering their physical and mental health.