The study reveals that in both sectors, at the workplace and in the private sphere, most accidents are caused by human error or behaviour. It also indicates that as many working days are lost for reasons of private accidents as are due to work accidents. The study makes clear that people's attitudes to health and safety vary greatly between the two spheres. At the workplace, individuals are made aware of risk and risk prevention in a structured way. At home and in leisure pursuits, safety considerations are not seen as a priority.
Private life is regarded as a safe area, compared to the work environment.
But the facts show that the degree of risk does not differ greatly. We have much still to do, to improve health and safety at work. But there is also value in using the opportunities offered by workplace prevention measures to make the links between the sources of workplace risk and those of leisure and home activity, wherever this is appropriate. Voluntary risk will always be a matter of personal choice, but informed choice will always be the key to prevention of accidents, at home and in leisure time. Let me conclude with how the balance of workplace and personal risk might best relate to the European level.