ARCHIVESHISTORIQUES
DELACOMMISSION
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DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM(79)470
Vol.1979/0163

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COMMISSION OFTHEEUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
COM (79)470 final
Brussels /11th September 1979
THIRD PROGRESS REPORT
OFTHEADVISORY COMMITTEE ONSAFETY ,
HYGIENE AND HEALTH PROTECTION AT WORK
(PERIOD :1978 )
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COM (79)470 final

-2-
C0NTENT3
Page
0»Introduction ••.... 4
1.Membership ••••••••• .... 5
10.Committee...... ....... 5
11.Workingparties ... 6
12.'Restricted Group *..... ......... 6
2.Structure andoperation 6
3.Meetings 8
4.Activities oftheCommittee 9
40.Generalmatters 9
41*.Actionprogramme -Councilresolution of29June1978... 10
42.Committee opinions requested bytheCommission 11
420.Opinions completed
(4directives and1study) 11
421.Opinions inpreparation
(5directives and2studies 12
43.Opinions ontheCommittee'sowninitiative....■••• 13
> 1
430*Opinions completed
(lsymposium and1subjectforadirective )..... 13
431.Opinions inpreparation
(ldirective andtwosubjectsforconsideration )...13
44.Resolutions adoptedbytheCommittee
(2fromtheCommittee and1fromtheworkers *representatives )14
45.Variousrequests madeoftheCommission 14
46.Varionsactivities 16
460.Information 16
461.Documentation 17
V/Lux/79e

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5.Activities oftheWorkingParties 17
50.WorkingPartyI..... .••••••• 17
51.WorkingPartyII••••.................. 18
52.WorkingPartyIII••••••••• 18
53.Overallsituation 18
6.Activities ofthe'Restricted Group 1 ....... 19
7*Secretariat . 20
8.Conclusions .......... 20
Annexes I1.ListofCommittee members 21
2.Listofmembersofthethreeworkingparties ..23
3.CouncilResolution of29June1978onan.....
actionprogramme oftheEuropean Communities on.
safetyandhealthatwork•..••.•••••. 27
4«Resolutions adoptedbytheCommittee...•••• 40

-4–
m
INTRODUCTION
Article 3oftheCouncil Decision of27June 1974 onthesetting upof
anAdvisory Committee onSafety ,Hygiene andHealth Protection atWork
provides that 'the Committee shall produce anannual report onits
acti vities 'and 'the Commission shall forward that report tothe
jAiropean Parliament ,theCouncil ,theEconomic andSocial Committee
andtheConsultative Committee oftheEuropean Coal andSteel Community® •
Thethird progress report wascompiled bytheSecretariat andapproved
bytheCommittee on10 May1979 *

-5-
1.MEMBERSHIP OFTHECOMMITTEE .WORKING PARTIES ANDRESTRICTED GROUP
10.COMMITTEE
Sincethemembers'termsofofficeendedonMay1978,theCouncil,
afterallowing quitealongtimeforthenomination ofcandidates
bytheMemberStates,appointed thefullandalternate membersfor
asecondthree-yearperiodbyitsDecision 78/1014/EECof23November
1978*(OJL349of13December1978).
Thenewmembership isshowninAnnex1,Pages21and22.The
changes madeareshowninthefollowing tablet
ICountry Newmembers Newmembers Total 1
PULL ALTERNATE I
Completely •Ex- Completely 'Ex-
new .alternatesVnew .full
1members
BE1
0 •1
1i
2 •0 3
DK 1 '1
1.1'1
14
DE 1 »0 2 10
13
FR 0 10 3 »0 3
IR 0 ,0 1 ,0 1
IT 3 ιΟι
5 «o 8
LU 3 '0
I0'0
I3
NLIl10 0 l0 1
|UK1 '0
12 10
13
Totals 10 2 16 1
12 17 29
(22%of54) (31%of54)26%of108
(*)Termsofofficeendingon22November 1981*

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11.WORKING PARTIES
Inaccordance withArticle 16,Paragraph 5ofitsRules ofProcedure ,
theCommittee renewed themembership ofthethree working parties at'
itsmeeting on20December 1978 .
Hoi-king PartyIHbecame tripartite (itwasformerly ajoint committee )
andasecond Vice-chairman (MrSchuster -government member )was
appointed .
Theexisting Ohairrsen ar.4Vice-chairmen ofthethree working parties
were reappointed .
Thisensured afairdistribution ofthese offices between government ,
workers' andemployers' representatives (asprovided forinArticle 15,
Paragraph 2,oftheRules ofProcedure oftheCommittee ).
Since workonthemembership ofthethree working parties wasnotquite
completed on20December 1978 (seeAnnex 2,Pages 24,25and26),it
wascontinued bywritten procedure .
12.RESTRICTED GROUP
Atitsmeeting of20December 1978 ,theCommittee fixed themembership
oftheRestricted Groups Chairmen andVice-chairmen ofthethree Working
Parties (SeeAnnex 2,Pages 24,25and26)asinthepast .
2.STRUCTURE ANDOPERATION
20.After forming theRestricted Group provisionally in1977 ,theCommittee
notonlydecided toretain itbutalsoentrusted itwithmoreprepara­
torywork in1978which meant that thenumber ofitsmeetings doubled .

-7-
21.Inordertoadaptitsstructure totheCommunity actionprogramme
(seePoint41,Page10)ftheCommittee extendedthetermsofrefe­
renceofitsthreeworkingparties,givingthemthefollowing
titles:
-HPI'Technical Preventive Measures andRegulations Relating
toHealthandSafetyatWork1
-WPII'Statistics andResearch'
-WPIII'RoleofBothSidesofIndustry,ProblemsofTraining
andInformation'
IngivingWorkingPartyIawidertitleandadding
statistics tothetermsofreference ofWorkingPartyIIand
training andinformation tothoseofWorkingPartyIII,the
Committee distributed thewholecontents oftheactionprogramme
amongthethreeexistingworkingparties,thusobviating theneed
tocreatenewworkingparties.
22.SincetheagendasofCommittee andworkingpartymeetings were
alwaysveryfullandtheSecretariat wasnotabletoarrange more
frequent meetings ,theCommittee requested theRestricted Groupto
studywaysofimproving theCommittee'sfunctioning .
23»Inthisconnection theCommittee invitedrepresentatives ofthe
European TradeUnionFederation andtheEuropean Employers' Liaison
Committee toallitsmeetings toassistthesetwoorganizations in
theirEuropean coordination work.
Inordertoimprovecoordination anddecision-making withinthe
Committee ,preparatory meetings oftheworkers' andemployers'
groupsstartedin1978beforeeachCommittee meetingandseveral
workingpartymeetings ,withtheassistance oftheCommittee secre­
tariat;theylastedbetweentwohoursandonedaydepending onthe
volumeandimportance oftheitemsontheagendaofthemeeting
concerned .

-8-
24*Forth©purposeofliaisonandcoop©ra*tion with "theEuropeanFoundation
fortheImprovement ofLivingandWorkingConditions ,theCommittee
invitedanobserver fromthisorganization toattenditsmeetings.
25.Attendance atCommittee ,Restricted Groupandthepreparatory meetings
mentioned underPoint23continued tobeveryhighthroughout 1978;
itwas,onthewhole,goodfortheworkingparties.
26.TheCommittee requested theRestricted Grouptoexaminewhetheritwas
possible andadvisable tohavesubstitutes forworkingpartymembers.
3.MEETINGS
30.In1978fifteen MEETINGS wereheldasfollows s
-Conunittee 2meetings 118,19and20April
18,19and20December
-WorkingPartyI 5meetings *15and16February
23and24May
4and5July
18and19September
16and17October
-WorkingPartyII 3meetings t22and23March
2October
18October
-WorkingPartyIII 1meeting » 7June •
-Restricted Group 4meetings s 23February
6June
3October
19December
Total 15meetings in1978

-9-
31.FIGURES ONTHENUMBEROFMEETINGS ANDTHENUMBEROFDAYSDEVOTED TO
MEETINGS overfouryears
Numberofmeetings 1978197719761975
(6months)
–Coimnittee 2 2 2 1
-WorkingPartyI 5 4 2 1
-WorkingPartyII 3011
-WorkingPartyIII 12 0 1
-Restricted Group 4 210
Total 15 10 6 4
Numberofdays 1978 1977 1976 1975
devotedtomeetings (6months)
–Committee 6 5 5 2
-WofkingPartyI 10 6 2 1
-WorkingPartyII 4011
-WorkingPartyIII 1 40 1
-Restricted Group 4 3 1 0
Total 2518 9 5
Thenumberofmeetings was50>upon1977butwasstilllowerthanthe
.needsexpressed bytheCommittee * .t
4.ACTIVITIES OFTHECOMMITTEE
40.GENERAL MATTERS
Inrelationtopastyears,thevolumeandscopeoftheCommittee's
activities increased considerably in1978,asshownbyt

10-
-a50%increase inthenumber ofmeetings anddays devoted tomeetings
(seepoint 31);
-theincreased number ofopinions issued orinpreparation ;
-and the search forbasic information for itswork .
This very positive situation does not alter the fact that theCommittee
always hasmore work than itcanhandle .Thesubjects anddocuments laid
before theCommittee byCommission departments orbytheCommittee itself
have increased greatly ;there arethedirectives on'technical barriers *
andthefirst work under theaction programme mentioned under Point 41.
Thus theCommittee hashadtocope with thedifficulties brought byover­
loaded agendas ,the importance andvolume ofdocuments tobeexamined and
thepreparation ofopinions onwhat isoften complex subject matter .
TheCommittee ,which refuses torush itswork inawaythat would
undermine itseffectiveness ,butwishes itsauthority toberespected ,is
aware ofthese problems andhasrequested theRestricted Group tostudy
ways ofimproving itsfunctioning .
Theresolutions adopted bytheCommittee ,given inpoint 44andAnnex 4»
should also beinterpreted inthis light .
COUNCIL RESOLUTION OF29JUNE 1978 ONAWACTION OFTHE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
PROGRAMME ONSAFETY ANDHEALTH ATWORK (OJCI65 -11July 1978 )
410 .TheCommittee was kept informed oftheprogress ofthis programme
within the Council .
The Council resolution covered thewhole action programme as
proposed bytheCommission with particular emphasis onaseries
ofactions (fourteen points )fortheperiod uptotheendof1982
(SeeAnnex 3)«

-11-
411«TheCommittee generally approved oftheCouncilResolution *
Theyconsidered that,althoughitwasslightlyrestrictive ,
itdidexpressthepolitical willtoundertake aseriesof
important activities *
(
412*TheCommittee drewattention tothefactthatDOV/PinLuxembourg
hadtohaveadditional stafftoimplement theprogramme andtorun
theCommitteesecretariat (seetheresolutions inAnnex4)*
413*Asregardstheactualimplementation oftheprogramme ,the
Committee requested theCommission toprovideitwith
-anannualplanofworkwithacorresponding timetable of
meetings ;
-aprogress reportonthisplanofworkateachplenary
meeting.
42.COMMITTEE OPINIONS REQUESTED_BY THECOMMISSION ^
420.Opinions completed
4200*TheCommittee gaveitsopinion on
-threeproposals forCouncildirectives on
•machinetoolsandsimilarmachinesfortheworkingof
metals,wood,paperandothermaterials {
(OJC23of27January1978)
•hand-held power-driven portable grinding machines
(OJC23of27January1978)
•amendmentofDirective 73/173/EEContheclassification ,
packaging andlabelling ofdangerous preparations (solvents )
(OJC25of31January1978)
-adraftdirective onthecontrolofcertainindustrial
activities withregardtoaccident hazards
-apilotstudy(andtheactiontobetakenonit)entitled
'Carcinogenic potential offibrousmaterials *synthesis
ofthedatanowavailable *•

-12-
4201«Thesefiveopinions havethefollowing characteristics !
-some(2,3and5)arerelatively short,whileothers
(land3)arelongerandquitedetailed
–two(2and5)wereadoptedunanimously (withBlightreservations )
andtwoothers(land4)unanimously asregardsmostpointsand
byamajority onsomepointstoneopinion(2)wasacceptedentirely
bymajority vote.
421.Opinions inpreparation
4210*TheCommittee notedthecontentoft
-fourdraftCouncildirectives on
•safetyrequirements fortowercranesforbuilding work
«rollover protection structures forcertainconstructional
plant(ROPS)
•fallingobjects,protection structures forcertain
constructional plantequipment (POPS)
•limitation ofdangerous chemical ,physical andbiological
agentsatwork(frameworkdirective )
;–twopilotstudiesentitled *
•'analysis ofoccupational risksintheconstruction industry
•determination ofthetypeandextentofhazardpresented by
theproduction ,utilization ,handling andstocking of
flammable goods.
Italsorequested WorkingPartyItopreparedraftopinions on
thedraftdirective andWorkingPartyIIonthestudies.
4211*InreplytotheCommission 'squestion aboutthebestmethodof
takingactiontorestrict pollution oftheworkingenvironment ,
theCommittee supported theproposalthataframework directive
shouldfirstbesubmitted totheCouncil and

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completed laterbyspecificdirectives forthemostimportant pollutants ;
thiswouldbedonein1979*
OPINIONS ONTHECOMMITTEE 'SOWNINITIATIVE ^
430.Opinions completed
4300.Afterexamining thereportentitled 'Thoughts aboutRisk',the
Committee unanimously adoptedanopinionproposing thatthe
Commission shouldorganize andsponsorasymposium onoccupational
riskstohealthandsafetyinMarch1980.
4301.Whenitwasinformed oftheCommission 'sintention toundertake
workonasbestos ,theCommittee proposed toprepareanopinion
onthematterbutbeoausethereweredifferences inideason
manypoints,itwasonlypossibletoproduceaseriesofindica­
tions(ofvarioustypesiformalandunanimous-withcertain
reservations orcomments proposing measures orlimitsandquestions
forfutureCommission actiononasbestos .TheCommittee willresume
itsdiscussions whentheCommission submitsconcrete proposals toit.
431*Opinions inpreparation
4310*Duringexamination ofadraftopinionprepared byWorkingPartyIII
onthesettingupofaCommunity instrument onprevention bodies
involving bothsidesofindustry ,theCommittee encountered complete
disagreement betweentheworkermembers andemployer members ontwo
essential pointsinparticular ,thechoiceofinstrument (directive
orrecommendation )andthesizeofundertaking whereasafetycommittee
wastobecompulsory !itsentthedraftopinionbacktoWorkingPartyIII
foranewattempttoreoonoile thedifferent pointsofview.
4311*Asitwasoftenconsulted ondirectives on'technical barriers' ,
theCommittee ^requested WorkingPartyItoprepareanopinionon

-14-
.reference whereverpossibletostandards (drawnupbyinstitutions
otherthantheEuropean Communities )and
.thechoicebetweentotalandoptional harmonizations
(directives ofthistypeofteninvolvethesetwopoints.
44.RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY_THE_COMMITTEE
440.TheCommittee unanimously approved tworesolutions (seeAnnex4f
Pages40and41)»oneon20April1978andtheotheron20December
1978addressed totheCommission and
–expressing supportforapproval andthenimplementation ofthe
actionprogramme oftheEuropean Communities onsafetyandhealth
atwork}
-askingforadditional stafftoimplement thisprogramme andimprove
thefunctioning oftheCommittee'ssecretariat .
441oWhentheCommittee'ssecondprogress reportwasapproved on
20April1978»"theworkers *representatives adoptedadeclaration
withthesameintention asthetworesolutions quoted(seeAnnex4f
Page42).
Theworkermembersdeclared (on20December 1978)inthepresence
oftheVice-President oftheCommission ,whowaschairing the
Committee ,thattheirprotests shouldbeheardoutsidetheCommittee
andthattheCommission shouldshoulderitsresponsibilities and ••
makeitpossibletoimplement theprogramme properly .
45.VARIOUS REQUESTS_MADE 0F_THE_C0MMISSI0N
450.Alltherequests madebytheCommittee in1978involving various
formsofparticipation bytheCommission (documents ,studies,infor­
mationareshowninthetableunderPoint451*Manyrequests
involvefollow-up toopinionsissuedorpreparations foropinionsto
beissued.
Workontheserequestshashadtobecarriedovsrto1979andl19&0»

45i.SuaiRary ©ftherscru^s+s
M »
Field Subjectoftherequest
A.Action
programme
•instruments
•publications
..events
tobedone
B.Committee
•functioning
*rulesof
procédurer B*"Prajosworlcdirective ondangerous
•agents'(pollutants )
-Followed byspecificdirectives
Directive oninformation forworkers
exposedtohazardcausedbydangerous
machines,equipment andproducts
Community instruments onprevention
bodiesinvolving bothsidesof
industry
Guidancenotes(thefirstdealingwithlead)
Introduction totoxicology •
Symposium onoccupational risksto
healthandsafety
Planofworkfor1979
Improvement offunctioning
Regularprogressreports I
Possibility ofhavingsubstitutes fori
workingpartymembers 3Seepoint(s)...of
thisreport
4211
(4221
(4301
(continuation of
4211)
4310
(CouncilResolu­
tion)
continuation of
4212
4300
413
22
413
26
■-h

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[CoDocuments IValueandlegalbasisofCommunity ]((continuation of\
I andstudies instruments andrelatedprocedures (various j
(asabasisI
! (activities )I
Iforactivities
on Limitvaluesforexposure and ((continuation of|
measurement methods (4211)
Totaloroptional harmonization 4311
Reference tostandards 4311
Jobprofileofpersonsresponsible ((Council I
forsafetyintheundertaking ((Resolution I
Riskdifferences between'blueasbesJ
tos'andothertypesoffibre 4301
Classification offibresbydegreeof
danger 4200
D.StaffΓMorestaffforimplementing the 412
programme Kand
LMorestaffforthesecretariat
I
I^44
VARIOUS ACTIVITIES
460.•Information
TheCommittee wasinformed ofactivities orprojects byCommission
departments concerned with
-carcinogens (ingeneral)
-theorganization (November 1979)ofaseminaronallergic
respiratory diseases inagriculture
-nightwork(shiftwork).
Itwasalsoinformedofsafetystudiesbeingcarriedoutorplanned
bytheEuropeanFoundation fortheImprovement ofLivingandWorking
Conditions .

-17-
461.Documentation
Committee membershadreceived thefollowing documents as
background material i
-aresearchdirectory withEuropeanindex(iNRS)
-asummaryofthedirectives ontechnical barriers
-thereportonaworkshop onoccupational healthservices
-'occupational hygienestandards'
5.ACTIVITIES OFTHEWORKING PARTIES
AlmostalltheCommittee'sactivities wereprepared byorcamefromthe
WorkingPartiesasshownbelowt
5°.WORKING PARTYI
-prepared anopinion
•onthedirectives on-'machinetools'(see4200)
wastheauthorofrequests totheCommission on
.the*introduction totoxicology' (see451A)
•thevalueandlegalbasisofCommunity instruments (see451C)
•exposurelimitsandmeasurement methods(see451C)
•thechoicebetweentotalandoptionalharmonization (see451C)
.reference tostandards (see451C)
•thejobprofileofpersonsresponsible forsafetyinthe
undertaking (see451C)-ISOStandards Nos3164,3184,3449and3471
-'workingconditions -1975(Eurostat).
•onthesymposium on
•onasbestos'portable grindingmachines' (see4200)
'solvents' (see4200)
'industrial activities andaccident
hazards'(see4200)
•pollutants' (see4211)
•occupational risks'(see4300)
(see4301)

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51.WORKING PARTYII_
-prepared anopinion on
•thestudies onthe'carcinogenic potential offibrousmaterials *
synthesisofthedatanowavailable *(see4200) j
'analysisofoccupational risksinthe !
construction industry' (see4210)
'determination ofthetypeandextentofhazard
presented bytheproduction ,utilization ,
handling andstockingofflammable goods'(see4210)
-wastheauthorofrequests totheCommission on
.riskdifferences betweenblueasbestos andothertypes
(see451C)
,theclassification offibresbydegreeofdanger(see451C)
•provision oftheresearchdirectory withEuropean index
(see461)
-continued itspreparatory workonaninventory forthepromotion
andcoordination ofnational research .
52.WORKING PARTYIII
*-prepared anopinion on
•prevention bodiesinvolving bothsidesofindustry (see4310)
-wastheauthorofarequesttotheCommission forthepreparation of
.adirective oninformation forworkers (see451A)
•guidancenotes(see451A)
53.OVERALL SITUATION
WorkingPartyI,whichhasverybroadtermsofreference ,didthe
greaterpartofthepreparatory work.Thepressure ofworkfelt
bytheCommittee (see40)appliesallthemoretothisWorkingParty.
Attheendof1978itwascertainthatthiswouldcontinueinto1979
andmightevengetworse.
WorkingpartyIIhadtheproblemof'clarifying' research ;itwas
lookingforpractical waysofdoingeffective work.

-19-
WorkingPartyIIIwashamperedinitsworkbydifferences ofopinion
betweenworkersandemployers onthemattersunderconsideration
(see4310),whichwentbeyondthechoiceofaquantityortechnical
processandweremattersofpolioy.
ACTIVITIES OFTHERESTRICTED GROUP
60.TheRestricted Group,provisionally createdin1977,notonlycontinued
butalsoincreaseditsactivities considerably *Byactinginmanycases
asan•aid'andan'adviser *totheCommittee ,ChairandCommittee secre­
tariat,itproveditsusefulness beyondalldoubt.TheCommittee reap­
pointedtheGroupinitspresentformattheendof1978afterappointing
membersforthesecondtermofofficeoftheCommittee andWorkingParties.
61*TheRestricted Group
-wasinformed !–aboutalltheCommission 'sactivities inoccupational
healthandsafety
-followed :-theactivities ofthethreeWorkingPartiesclosely
-prepared * –theCommittee'stwoplenarymeetings
-aprocedure tomakeiteasiertoreappoint the
WorkingParties (see11)
-thewidertermsofreference oftheWorkingParties
inordertoadaptthemtothecontentoftheaction
programme (see21)
-beganexamining !
-waysofimproving thefunctioning ,oftheCommittee
(see22)theproblemofsubstitutes andadditional
expertsatworkingpartymeetings (see26)
-wastheauthorofrequests totheCommission fori
-drawingupaworktimetablefor1979(see413)
-drawingupregularprogressreports(see413)
-thedistribution oftheinformation anddocumentation
mentioned underPoint46.

-20-
7.SECRETARIAT
7.In197othesecretariat consisted of
-.2Agradeofficials (secretary andassistantsecretarytothe
Committee )
-2Cgradeofficials (typing,records,documentation anddis­
patching )i.e.onemorethanin1977*
8.CONCLUSIONS
00.In1978theCommittee prepared andadoptedalargenumberof
opinions ofvarioustypesanddidmoreworkinspiteofvery
realoperating difficulties .
81.Nonetheless ,theCommittee hadtwomajorreasonsfordissatis­
faction (toagreaterextentthanin1977)*
-according toitstermsofreference ,theCommittee isto
'produce moreopinions without morestaffinitssecretariat ;
inadditiontothedirectives ontechnical barriers (DCIII)
therewereanumberofnewactivities undertheactionpro­
gramme(DOV)in1978|
-theCommittee istakingmoreinitiatives butwantsthe
Commission todomorework,inparticular onthepreparation
ofinformation anddiscussion documents ,tosupportthe
activities plannedintheactionprogramme .
Becauseofthet>roblems conneoted withrunningthesecretariat
adequately anddealingwithcertainmatters,itisdifficult
-toincrease thenumberofmeetings inordertoenablethe
Committee toexpressitselfvalidly (onprojectswhichare
important andoftenlengthyandcomplex)inashortertime;
-forCommission departments tomeettheCommittee *srequests
adequately andwithinarelatively shorttime.
Drawingupaworktimetable fortheimplementation oftheaction
programme wouldbeaffected bythesefactorsandtheCommission
shouldbearthisinmindwhenfixingpriorities forCommunity
action.

-21- Annex1
13.12.78 .OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoL349/19
COUNCILDECISION
of23November1978
appointingthemembersandalternatemtnbcrsoftheAdvisoryCommitteeonSafety,
HygieneandHealthProtectionatWork
(78/1014/EEQ
THECOUNCILOFTHEEUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
HavingregardtotheTreatyestablishingtheEuropeanEconomicCommunity,
»
HavingregardtotheCouncilDecisionof27June1974onthesettingupofanAdvisory
CommitteeonSafety,HygieneandHealthProtectionatWork('),andinparticularArticle4
thereof,
HavingregardtothelistofcandidatessubmittedbyeachoftheGovernments ofthe
MemberStates,
WhereasbyitsDecisionof5May1975theCouncilappointedthemembersandalternate
membersoftheAdvisoryCommitteeonSafety,HygieneandHealthProtectionatWorkfor
theperiod5May1975to4May1978}
WhereasthemembersandalternatemembersoftheAdvisoryCommitteeshouldbe
appointedfortheperiod23November1978to22November1981,
HASDECIDEDASFOLLOWS :
SoleArticle 4
ι
ThefollowingareherebyappointedasmembersandalternatemembersoftheAdvisory
CommitteeonSafety,HygieneandHealthProtectionatWorkfortheperiod23November
1978to22November 1981s'
A.GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES
Belgium:
Denmark:
Germany:
France:
Ireland:
Italy:
Luxembourg :
Netherlands :
UnitedKingdom:Member
MrBens
MrSaxild
MrKliesch
Mr*Lamirand
MrKennedy
DrFredella
MrSchuster
MrTinga
MrMartinAlternate *
MrPaque
MrToft
MrOpfcrmailn .
MrBabusiaux
MrMorrison
DrFranciosi
MrMouscl'
MrRikmenspoei
MrsBargerMember Alternate
MrDenonne MrGregoire
MrsJensen MrBlou
DrWagner DrWolff
MrCoursault-Durand MrBelhote
MrCashell DrMurphy .
DrFiore DrPoti
MrNocsen MrDemuth
DrWink MrsRooyakkers-Beemster
DrNeild DrBlackddder
(•)OJNoL185,9.7.1974,p.15.

-22-
NoL349/20 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities15.12.78
B.TRADEUNIONREPRESENTATIVES
Belgium:
Denmark :
Germany :
France:
ire!and:
Italy:
Luxembourg :
Netherlands :
UnitedKingdom:Member
MrThyre
MrDrewsen
MrKonstanty
MrAtlan
MrCasseiis
MrStanzani
MrRcch
MrDeBruin
MrJacquesAlternate
MrKennes
MrNidsen
MrKienappei
MrRouxsi
MrO'Haiioran
MrLeli
MrDunkel
MrVanTol
MrHamiltonMember
MrSiton
MrsChristensen
MrPartikel
MrGuillon
MrDaly
MrLuciani
MrSabus
MrHogenes
MrLloydAlternate
MrColie
MrElikofer
MrGartner
MrDiaz
MrKeating
MrsGloria
MrKlein
MrSchmitz
MrParry
C.REPRESENTATIVES OFEMPLOYERS' ORGANIZATIONS
Belgium:
Denmark :
Germany :
France:
Ireland:
Italy:
Luxembourg :
Netherlands :
UnitedKingdom:Member
MrVanGaever
MrHolm
MrMeyer
MrCave
MrRice
DrGarlanda
MrRauchs
MrDenBoer
MrAnusAlternate
MrCloquet
MrRasmussen
MrWinckler
MrFrederic-Moreau
MrDoherty
MrPalladino
MrBerweiler
MrsDeQuant
MrPetrieMember
MrCordy
MrNygaard
MrMuller
MrTassin ■
MrClarke
DrBussetti
MrOlinger
MrsDeMeester
MrCobbAlternate
MrLeonard
MrLinius
MrVonHassel!
MrDelage
MrCassidy
DrGhiselli
MrBeffort
MrKorten
MrDewsbunr
DoneatBrussels.23November 1978.
FartheCouncil
ThePrésident
J.ERTL

-23- Bilag 2 Anlage 2
Appendix 2 Annexe 2
Allegato 2 Bijlage 2
MEDLEMMER
MITGLIEDER
MEMHERS
MEMBRES
MEMBRI
LEDEN
A=Repraesentanter forregeringen
Regierungsvertreter
Representatives oftheGovernment
Représentants dugouvernement
Rappresentanti delgoverno
Vertegenwoordigers vandeRegering
B=Repraesen tanter forarbejdsstagernes faglige organisationer
Vertreter derArbeitnehneror ganisationen
Pepresen tatives oftråde unions
Representants desorgani sations syndicales detravailleurs
Rappresentanti delle organizzazioni sindacali dei lavoratori
Vertegenwoardigers vandeorganisaties van vjerknsrsers
C=Repraesentanter forarbejdsgivernes faglige organisationer
Vertreter derArbeitgeberorganisationen
Representatives ofernployers 'organi zations
Representants desorganisations syndicales d'onplcyeurs
Rappresentanti delle organizzazioni sindacali deidatori dilavoro
Vertegenwoordigers vandeorganisaties vanwerkgevers

w
-24-
Arbejdsgruppen I Arbe.\tsgruppe I WorkingPartyI
Groupedotravaj1IGruppodilavoroIWerkgroep I
Ttekniskeogforschriftsmaessige aspekteriforbindelse medforebyggelse ogbeskyttelse
Tochnisclw Aspokto unciVorscireiftenderUnfallverhUtung unddesGesundheitsschutzes
Technicalprotective measures andregulations relatingtohealthardsafetyatwork
Aspectstechniques etregl&xtentaires delaprevention etdelaprotection
ftspettitecnicienormatividellaprevenzione edellaprotezione
ïtechnische enreglementaire aspecten vandeongevallenpreventie engezondheidsbeschermi nq
A Β C
Belgique
België BENS δΙϋΟΝχ) OOHDY
Darmark SAXIIX) ELIKOFER NYGAARD
Bundesrepjblik
Deutschlarri HORNEFFER PARTIKEL
France JANIN LEVY CAVE
Ireland DALY CLARKExx)
Italia FIORE**) jSTANZANI GftRLANDA
Luxembourg SCHUSTER SABUS OLINGER
Nederland
iRIKMEUSPOEL SOMETZ DENBOER
I
I
!UnitedKingdom
IWOODCOCK COBB
x)Président
xx)Vice-président

-25-
/arbejdsgruppe II ftrbeitsgruppe II Working Party II
Groupe detravail II Gruppo dilavoro II Werkgroep II
Statastik ogforsknlng
Statistak undForschung
Statistics and research
Statistiques etrecherches
Statisticho ericerche
Statistiek enonderzoek
I
A Β C
Belgique '
BelqiëOORDY
Danmark DREWSEN NYGAARD
Bundesrepublik
Deutschland HAGENKOITER KIENAPPEL
France DARMDN GUILLON xx) FREDERIC-MOREAU
Ireland O'HALLORAN
Italia FREDELLA
Luxembourg DEMUTH KLEIN RAUCHS
Nederland VAN TOL "DEN BOER X)
United Kingdom NEILD xx)
x)Président
xx)Vice-président

-26-
Arbejdsgruppe III Arbeitsgruppe III Workirtg Party III
Groupe detravail III Gruppo dilavoro III Werkgroep III
Arbejdsmarkedets parters rolle ,problemer iforbindelse meduddannelse ofinformation
Rolle derSozialspartner ,Ausbildungs -undInformationsprobleme
Role ofboth sides ofindustry ,problems oftraining andinformation
Rôle despartenaires sociaux ,problèmes deformation etd'information
Ruolo delle parti sociali ,problemi diformazione ed'informazione
Rolvandesociale partners ,opleiding envoorlichting
A .(Β C
Belgique
België KENNES VAN GAEVER
Danmark ELIKOFER HOm
Bundesr epjbl ik
Deutschland KONSTANIY
France CHAVROT TASSIN xx)
Ireland 0Α58ΕΠΧ8 X) RICE
Italia« LUCIANI
Luxanbourg SCHUSTER XX) RECH MARGUE
Nederland DEBRUIN DEMEESTER
United Kingdom MUNNS DEWSBURY
x)Président
xx)Vice-président

-27- Annex3
11.7.78 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC165/1
I
(Information )
COUNCIL
COUNCIL RESOLUTION
of29June1978
onanactionprogramme oftheEuropeanCommunities onsafetyandhealthatwork
THECOUNCIL OFTHEEUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
HavingregardtotheTreatiesestablishing the
EuropeanCommunities ,
Havingregardtorthedraftresolutionsubmittedby
theCommission ,
HavingregardtotheopinionoftheEuropean
Parliament ('),
HavingregardtotheopinionoftheEconomic and
SocialCommittee (*),
WhereastheCouncilresolution of21January1974
concerning asocialactionprogramme (*)provides
fortheestablishment ofanactionprogramme on
safetyandhealthatwork;
Whereas,underArticle2oftheTreatyestablishing
theEuropeanEconomic Community ,theCommunity
shallhaveamongitstasks,byestablishing acommon
marketandprogressively approximating the
economic policiesofMemberStates,thatof
promoting throughout theCommunity aharmonious
development ofeconomicactivities,acontinuous and
balancedexpansion andanaccelerated raisingofthe
standardofliving;
WhereasattheConference heldinParisinOctober
1972theHeadsofStateorofGovernment affirmed
(')Opiniondeliveredon12June1978(notyetpublished
intheOfficiaiJournal).
(f)Opiniondeliveredon21June1978(notyetpublished
intheOfficiaiJournal).
(*)OJNoC13,12.2.1974,p.1,thatthefirstaimofeconomicexpansion ,whichisnot
anendinitself,shouldbetoenabledisparities in
livingconditions tobereducedandthatitshould
resultinanimprovement inthequalityoflifeaswell
asinstandardsofliving;
Whereasmoreover,inArticle117ofthesaidTreaty,
theMemberStatesagreeupontheneedtopromote
improved workingconditions andanimproved
standardoflivingforworkers,soastomakepossible
theirharmonization whiletheimprovement isbeing
maintained ;
Whereasprevention ofoccupational accidentsand
diseasesandalsooccupational hygienefallwithinthe
fieldsandobjectives referredtoinArticle118ofthe
saidTreaty;whereasinthiscontextcollaboration
shouldbestrengthened betweentheMemberStates
andtheCommission andbetween theMember
Statesthemselves ;
Whereassuitablehealthprotection forthepublicand
effectiveprevention ofaccidentsatworkand
occupational diseaseswouldmeetthesegeneral
objectives ;
Whereasinspiteofsustainedeffortsthecontinuing
highlevelofaccidentsatworkandofoccupational
diseasesremainsaseriousproblem;
Whereaseffortsmadeinthefieldofaccident
prevention andhealthprotection attheworkplace
havebeneficial effectswhicharereflected inthe
economicsphereandinindustrialrelations;
Whereas aconsiderable effortisneededat
Community leveltosearchforandimplement

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NoC165/2 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 11778
suitablemeansformaintaining orcreatingaworking
environment tailoredtotheneedsofmanandhis
legitimate aspirations ;
Whereasboththeeffectiveness ofthemeasures and
theircostshouldbetakenintoaccountinthechoice
ofactionatCommunity leveltobeundertaken and
ofthemeasurestobetakentoimplement it;
Whereastheimprovement ofworkingconditions and
theworking environment mustbeenvisaged in
overalltermsandmustconcern allsectorsofthe'
economy ;
Whereastheactionsshouldbeimplemented in
accordance withtheprovisions oftheTreaties,
including thoseofArticle235oftheTreaty
establishing theEuropean Economic Community ;
Whereas itisessential alsotoencourage the
increasing participation ofmanagement andlabourin
thedecisionsandinitiatives inthefieldofsafety,
hygieneandhealthprotection atworkatalllevels,
particularly attheleveloftheundertaking ;
WhereastheAdvisoryCommittee onSafety,Hygiene
andHealthProtection atWork,setupbyCouncil
Decision74/325/EECof27June1974('),mustbe
closelyassociated withthiswork;
Whereas theEuropean Foundation forthe
Improvement ofLivingandWorkingConditions and
theEuropean CentrefortheDevelopment of
Vocational Trainingmayhavearoletoplayinthe
implementation ofcertainaspectsoftheprogramme ;
Whereas ,inimplementing theactions,accountmust
betakenofworkundertaken inotherfields,notably
inthecontextoftheCouncil resolution of
17December 1973onindustrial policy(*)andofthe
Declaration oftheCounciloftheEuropean
Communities andoftherepresentatives ofthe
Governments oftheMemberStatesmeetinginthe
Councilof22November 1973ontheprogramme of
oftheEuropean Communities onthe
environment (*),inordertoensuretheclosest
possiblecoordination ofactionsandproposals ;
Whereas,inordertocarryouttheactions,itis
importanttoensurethatconcepts,terminology and
alsomethodsofidentification ,measurement and
assessment relatingtosafetyandhealthrisksare
harmonized ;whereassuchataskisofmajor
importance inthecontextoftheseactions;
(«)OJNoL185,9.7.1974,p.15.
(«)OJNoC117,31.12.1973,p.1.
(«)OJNoC112,20.12.1973,p.1.Notestheactionprogramme fromtheCommission
annexedheretoandapprovesitsgeneralobjective,
whichistoincreaseprotection ofworkersagainst
occupational risksofallkindsbyimproving the
meansandconditions ofwork,knowledge and
humanattitudes;
Expressesthepoliticalwilltotake,inkeepingwith
theurgencyofthematterandbearinginmindwhat
isfeasibleatnationalandCommunity level,the
measuresrequiredsothatbetweennowandtheend
of1982thefollowing actionsinparticular canbe
undertaken :
Accidentanddiseaseaetiologyconnected withwork–Research
1.Establish,incollaboration withtheStatistical
OfficeoftheEuropeanCommunities ,acommon
statistical methodology inordertoassesswith
sufficient accuracy thefrequency ,gravityand
causesofaccidents atwork,ancKalsothe
mortality ,sicknessandabsenteeism ratesinthe
caseofdiseasesconnected withwork.
2.Promotetheexchangeofknowledge ,establish
theconditions forclosecooperation between
researchinstitutes andidentifythesubjectsfor
researchtobeworkedonjointly.
Protection againstdangerous substances
3.Standardize theterminology andconcepts
relatingtoexposurelimitsfortoxicsubstances .
Harmonize theexposure limitsforacertain
numberofsubstances ,takingintoaccountthe
exposurelimitsalreadyinexistence .
4.Developapreventive andprotectiveactionfor
substances recognized asbeingcarcinogenic ,by
fixingexposurelimits,samplingrequirements
andmeasuring methods,andsatisfactory
conditions ofhygieneattheworkplace,andby
specifyingprohibitions wherenecessary .
5.Establish,forcertainspecifictoxicsubstances
suchasasbestos,arsenic,cadmium,leadand
chlorinated solvents,exposurelimits,limitvalues
forhumanbiological indicators ,sampling
requirements andmeasuring methods,and
satisfactory conditionsofhygieneatthework
place.

-29-
11.7.78 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities Noqi65/"^
6.Establish acommon methodology forthe
assessment ofthehealthrisksconnected with
thephysical,chemicalandbiological agents
presentattheworkplace,inparticular by
researchintocriteriaofharmfulness andby
determining thereferencevaluesfromwhichto
obtainexposurelimits.
7.Establishinformation noticesontherisksrelating
toandhandbooks onthehandlingofacertain
numberofdangerous substances suchas
pesticides,herbicides ,carcinogenic substances,
asbestos,arsenic,lead,mercury,cadmium and
chlorinated solvents .
.Prevention ofthedangersandharmfuleffectsof
machines
8.Establish thelimitlevelsfornoiseandvibrations
attheworkplaceanddetermine practicalways
andmeansofprotecting workersandreducing
soundlevelsatplacesofwork.
Establish thepermissible soundlevelsof
building-site equipment andothermachines .
9.Undertake ajointstudyoftheapplication ofthe
principles ofaccidentprevention andof
ergonomics irfthedesign,construction and
utilization oftheplantandmachinery ,and
promotethisapplication incertainpilotsectors,
includingagriculture .
10.Analysetheprovisions andmeasuresgoverning
themonitoring oftheeffectiveness ofsafety
andprotection arrangements andorganizean
exchangeofexperience inthisfield.
Monitoring andinspection–improvement of
humanattitudes
11.Developacommonmethodology formonitoring
both.pollutant concentrations andthemeasurement ofenvironmental conditions at
placesofwork;carryoutintercomparison
programmes andestablishreferencemethodsfor
thedetermination ofthemostimportant
pollutants .
Promotenewmonitoring andmeasuringmethods
fortheassessment ofindividualexposure,in
particular throughtheapplication ofsensitive
biological indicators .Specialattentionwillbe
giventothemonitoring ofexposureinthecaseof
women,especially ofexpectant mothers,and
adolescents .
Undertake ajointstudyoftheprinciplesand
methodsofapplication ofindustrial medicine
withaviewtopromoting betterprotection of
workers'health.
12.Establishtheprinciplesandcriteriaapplicableto
thespecialmonitoring relatingtoassistanceor
rescueteamsintheeventofaccidentordisaster,
maintenance andrepairteamsandtheisolated
worker.
13.Exchange experience concerning theprinciples
andmethodsoforganization ofinspection by
publicauthorities inthefieldsofsafety,hygiene
atworkandoccupational medicine .
14.DrawupoutlineschemesataCommunity level
forintroducing andproviding information on
safetyandhygienemattersattheworkplaceto
particular categories ofworkerssuchasmigrant
workers,newlyrecruitedworkersandworkers
whohavechangedjobs.
NotesthattheCommission willtakethenecessary
initiativesfortheimplementation ofthisresolution ;
InvitestheCommission tosubmitanannualreportto
itontheprogressmadeinimplementing this
resolution .

-30-
NoC165/4- OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 11778
ANNEX
ACTION PROGRAMME OFTHEEUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
ONHEALTH ANDSAFETYATWORK
Introduction
Ahighpercentage ofthepopulation ofthenineMember
Statesisexposedtovaryingdegreesofmanyandwidely
divergent occupational riskswhichcouldthreatentheir
healthandpersonalsafety.Occupational pathology is
habitually concerned withaccidentsanddiseasesresulting
fromwork,theprevention ordiagnosisofwhichhave
beenthesubjectofactionwithintheCommunity for
severalyears;andtheharmfuleffectsofwhicharepartly
ortotallycompensated throughvariousschemes .
DespitetheeffortsmadeintheMemberStatesofthe
Community ,thenumberofaccidents ,anddiseases
resultingfromworkremainshigh.Quiteapartfromtheir
financialimportance ,thehumanandsocialconsequences
ofoccupational accidentsanddiseasesareincalculable ,
sinceitisnoteasytoassessthepsychological damage
doneortotakeintoaccountthelong-term factors
connected withaccidentsanddisease.Thusthereisgood
reasontobelievethatthetotalsocialandfinancialcostof
occupational accidentsanddiseasesisfargreaterthanthe
quantitative estimatesatourdisposalsuggest.
Moderntechnology usesincreasingly advancedprocesses
whichpresentnewdangers.Theyproduceorusechemical
substances whichareinadequately testedfortheirharmful
effectsonman.Allchemical,physical,mechanical and
biological agentsandthepsychosocial factorsconnected
withworkmustbereadilyrecognizable andbrought
undercontroloreliminated bysuitablemeanssoasto
avoidanydamagetohealthor•significant reductionin
safety.
Theprevention ,limitation and,wherepossible,
elimination ofoccupational risksconstitute major
elementsofapolicytoprotectthehealthandsafetyofthe
workers .
Ofcourse,theMemberStateshavealongtraditioninthe
organization ofindustrialsafetyandhealthbuttheymust
alsoagreetoshoulderajointprogramme ofpositiveand
effectiveactionstoimprovetheconditions underwhich
manperforms hisjobanddoeverything possibleto
ensurehiswell-being andguarantee thequalityofhis
workingenvironment .Inordertoimplement suchaprogramme ,itisnecessary notonlytoharmonize ideas
andbasicprinciples,butalsotoplanandguidetechnical
progressandtheorganization ofworkinsuchawayasto
takeaccountoftherequirement ofhealthandsafety.
Inviewofthepersisting gravityoftheproblem,the
Commission mustinitiate,promote anddevelopa
commonpreventive policywithregardtoalloccupational
risks,especially byobtaining freshknowledge ,by
encouraging cooperation andcoordination andby
developing appropriate actionsatdifferent levelsof
responsibility <orcompetence .Inadditiontopromoting
exchanges andtheimprovement ofreciprocal information ,
suchaprogramme shouldaimtopersuaderesponsible
authorities intheMemberStatesandthesocialpartners
tojoinforcesagainstrisksofallkindswhichthework
environment bringstobearonthehealthandsafetyof
workersandonsocietyatlarge.
Thepresentprogramme takesaccountoftheguidelines
proposedbytheCommission andofseveralstudiesmade
andconsultations heldoverthepasttwoyears.Italso
takesintoconsideration theexperience gainedbythe
Commission inthecoalandsteelindustries andthe
nuclearfieldwhere,underthetermsoftheF.CSCand
EuratomTreaties,researchprogrammes andworkon
harmonization andstandardization inaccidentanddisease
prevention andprotectionwithregardtospecificrisksin
thesethreesectorshavebeencarriedoutformanyyears.
Thisprogramme doesnoteffectotherprogrammes such
asthosefortheelimination oftechnical barriersto
tradeandfor'theprotection oftheenvironment .In
proposingspecificactionswithintheframework ofthis
programme ,theworkundertaken byotherresearch
programmes ,notablyintheenvironmental fieldwillbe
takenintoaccount,sothatmaximum coordination is
ensured.
Someactioncouldbetakenincollaboration or
conjunction withotherorganizations ,suchasthe
EuropeanFoundation fortheImprovement ofLivingand
WorkingConditions andtheEuropeanCentreforthe
Development ofVocationalTraining.

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11.7.78 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoQ165/5
I.Generalobjectivesoftheactionprogramme onsafetyandhealth
Themainaimoftheprogramme istoincreasethelevelof
protection againstoccupational risksofalltypesby
increasing theefficiency ofmeasures forpreventing ,
monitoring andcontrolling theserisks.
Oneoftheprimaryconditions fortheimplementation of
suchaprogramme isthefullparticipation ofbothsidesof
industryinpreventive andprotective measures .
Eachoftheactionsproposedintheprogramme mustbe
seenasanelementcontributing nothebetterorganization
ofpreventive andprotective measuresforworkersandto
closercollaboration betweenthesocialpartnerstowards
thatend.Furthermore ,inordertotakeaccountofthe
experience obtainedbyinternational organizations andto
avoidduplication ofeffortinthesurveysoractions
undertaken ,liaisonbetween Member Statesmustbe
improved withaviewtoorganizing jointactionin
international agenciesresponsible foroccupational health
andsafety.
Suchaprogramme shouldmakeitpossibletoachievethe
following generalobjectives :
(a)Improvement oftheworkingsituationwithaviewto
increased safetyandwithdueregardtohealth
requirements intheorganization ofthework.Suchan
improvement shouldcovernotonlytheexisting
situation butalsonewtechnical developments .
Technical progresswhichcontributes tothecreation
ofanewworkingsituationortotheimprovement of
anexistingsituation isnotalwaysconceived and
directedinlinewiththedictatesofsafetyandhealth;
wheremachinery ,premisesandplantareconcerned ,
safetyaspectsshouldbeconsideredatthedesignstage
andintegrated intothesubsequent stag<esoftheir
production andcommissioning .Dueattentionmust
alsobepaidtohealthconsiderations ateverystagein
•theproduction anduseofchemicalsubstances .Thereisacloselinkbetweenoccupational accident
anddiseaseprevention ontheonehand,andthe
organization ofworkandsafetyandhealthtraining
andinformation attheplaceofworkontheother.
Thereisanurgentneedtoreviewandredefinea
moreeffectiveaccidentanddiseaseprevention
strategyinordertoup-datetraditional methods .
Whereisitnotpossibletoeliminateit,exposureto
occupational risksmustbekepttopermissible levels
applicabletoallworkerswithintheCommunity and
basedoncommonconceptsandreferences .
Soastomonitormoreeffectively theapplication of
preventive measures ,surveillance ofhealthand
workingconditions mustbeintensified ,notablyin
linewiththeexigencies ofoccupational medicine,
hygieneandsafetyappropriate topresent-day
conditions .
(b)Improvement ofknowledge inordertoidentifyand
assessrisksandperfectprevention andcontrol
methods .
Inviewofthecomplexity anddiversityofthefactors
itembraces ,aetiology isaprioritysubjectforresearch
andanalysis.Validandcomparable statisticsmustbe
prepared andexistingresearchcoordinated .The
promotion ofnewresearchisanessentialcorollaryto
anyCommunity actioninoccupational medicine,
hygieneandsafety.
(c)-Improvement ofhumanattitudesinordertopromote
anddevelopsafetyandhealthconsciousness .
Alongside thetechnicalaspectsofaccidentprevention
andhealthprotection,arealsystemofsafety
instruction andhealtheducation mustbecreated .This
hasyettobeintroduced andwillbetaughtin
differentway*atthevariouseducational levelsandat
thevariouslevelsofresponsibility andactionwithin
undertakings .
II.Description oftheinitiativestobetakenatCommunity level
Attainment ofthegeneralobjectives requiresmany
initiatives involving variousscientificdisciplines .Such
initiatives presuppose theeffective participation of
individuals inmanagingtheirownhealthandsafetyand
shouldencourage thesocialpartnersandthevarious
professional associations andbodiestotakeamoreactive
partintheformulation andimplementation ofapolicy
fortheprevention ofdangersattheworkplace .Thefollowingsixconcreteinitiativesareplannedwithin
varioustimelimitsfortheattainments ofthesegeneral
objectives :
1.incorporation ofsafetyaspectsintothevariousstages
ofdesign,production andoperation;

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NoC165/#! OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 11.7.78
2.determination ofexposure limitsforworkerswith
regardtopollutionandharmfulsubstances presentor
likelytobepresentaftheworkplace ;
j.moreextensive monitoring ofworkers'safetyand
health;
4.accidentanddiseaseaetiologyandassessment ofthe
risksconnected withwork;
5.coordination andpromotion ofresearch on
occupational safetyandhealth;
6.development ofsafetyandhealthconsciousness by
education andtraining.
INITIATIVE I
Incorporation ofsafetyaspectsintothevariousstages
ofdesign,production andoperation
Aim
Inordertopromoterhisincorporation theCommission
willconsideractionsaimedessentially atharmonizing ,
fromthesafetypointofview,theprinciplesanddesigns
ofworkplaces ,^machinery ,equipment andplan;andatthe
formulation orcoordination ofrulesfortheiruseand
guidanceontheuseofdangerous substances .
Theprincipleofintegrated safetyistodaygenerally
regardedasessentialforallpreventive measuresanditis
receivingincreasing attentionatnationalandinternational
level.Inalldecisions withregardtoundertakings
(planningandconstruction oftheundertaking ,purchase
andoperation ofplant,organization ofproduction ,
workingmethods,etc.)moreattentionmustbepaidto
:safety.Similarlyoperational safetyshouldbestudiedin
advanceforthedesignandmanufacture ofmachinery and
.toolssoastoguarantee protection oftheworker'shealth
asfaraspossible.Asconcernstheproduction and
distribution ofdangerous substances ,thesameprinciples
havetobetakenintoaccount .
Theprinciples ofergonomics arenotyetsufficiently well
appliedinthesearchforbettersafety.Inparticulardesign
ergonomics whichisalreadywidespread inthe
Community hasnotbeensufficiently adopted,.as
compared withtheworkcarriedout-intheScandinavian
countries andintheUnitedStates.
Theresultsofresearchcarriedoutoverseveralyearsin
thecoalandsreelindustries indicatethemeasures which
shouldbeplannedatCommuniry levelinothersectorsof
industry .
InthisfieldtheCommissicn isplanningtoproposea
certainnumberofmeasures whichwillencourage the
application oftheprinciples andwhichcould
progressively formabasisoflegal,regulatory and
administrative provisions orofup-to-datetechnicalguidesdrawnupatCommunity levelinordertoimprovethe
currentsituation inmanyindustrial oragricultural
spheres.Thesemeasuresconcerninparticular­
(a)Settingupofundertakings andplanningoflayoutand
equipment
TheCommission hasselectedthefollowingpoints
fromamongstthenumerous factorywhichmustbe
takenintoconsideration :ventilation andlighting,
temperature ,protection againstfallingfromheights
andagainstfallingheavyobjects,protection against
fire,noiseandvibrations ,gases,vapoursanddusts,
designofgeneralandemergency thoroughfares and
locationofdoorsandwindows .
(b)Organization ofworkwithinundertakings orbetween
severalundertakings
Thefollowingpointsaretoreceivespecialattention :
equipment andlayoutofworkplaces ,outdoor
workplaces ,warningsigns,dangerous jobs,no-access
andlimitedaccessareas,transport withinthe
undertaking ,inspections ,maintenance work,plant
testing,coordination ofworkwithintheundertaking ,
coordination oftheworkofvariousdepartments
belonging tothesameundertaking ortodifferent
undertakings ,etc.
(c)Manufacture anduseofmachinery ,equipment and
tools
Thisisthechiefareafortheapplication oftechnical
accident anddiseaseprevention whichisof
paramount socialandeconomicimportance .Inthis
sectorharmonization measures requirelengthy
preparation .Withregardtothemanufacture of
machinery andequipment theconceptoftheirsafety
wasalreadyconsidered inthegeneralprogramme of
28May1969ontheelimination oftechnicalbarriers
totrade(').However ,thereexistinherentdangersin
theuseofmachinery andequipment andaprocedure
shouldbeintroduced fortheexchange ofexperience
andinformation sothatsuchdangersarerecognized
''andidentified .Furthermore ,since1969theCouncil
hadalreadypointedoutthatitwouldbepossible,if
necessary ,tolaydownrulesonusesupplementing
Community Directives onharmonization withregard
tothemanufacture ofmachinery andequipment .
Guidelines andrulesmustbedrawnupwithaviewto
determining appropriate legislation atCommunity
level.
(a)Handlingofdangerous substancesandpreparations
InthisfieldCommunity harmonization actionmustbe
takenwithregardtothehandlingofdangerous
substances andpreparations ,withaviewtoimproving
thepracticalorganization ofsafety,thatis,handling
,attheworkplace ,storage,markingofcontainers antl
pipes.Technical andhealthprotection measures,
workingrestrictions andprohibitions ,thenumberof
hoursworkedandmedicalprotection measure*
shouldalsobeharmonized atCommunity level.The
(«>01NoC,7«,17.«.ISO.

11.7.78-33-
OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC165/7
distribution ofdangerous substances (classification ,
identification andpackaging )istakenintoaccountin
theprogrammes forthe'elimination ofthetechnical
barrierstotrade'and'environment' .
Contents
Someoftheobjectives setoutabovecanbeachievedonly
inthemediumandlong-term .Theproblems willbe
selectedforstudyonthebasisofthewishesexpressed or
guidancegivenbyrelevantbodieswhoshouldaboveall
bearinmindpracticalconsiderations andonthebasisof
urgentneedswhichmayarisefromunforeseen dangerous
situations suchasaccidents ordisasters ,orwhichmay
berecognized asaresultoftheacquisition offresh
knowledge ontheeffectsofchemicalsubstances andthe
needtocontroltheirusewithaviewroprotecting health.
TheCommission planstobeginworkinthisfieldby
studyingthefollowing matters:
(a)Settingupofundertakings andplanningoflayoutand
equipment
1.Organization andlayoutofagricultural holdings .
Thereisreasontoconsider thatmodern
agricultural holdings shouldmeetrequirements
similartothoseimposed uponindustrial
enterprises .Sofartheserequirements have
generallynotbeentakenintoaccountinnational
regulations artditwouldbeappropriate totakethe
necessary stepsatCommunity level.
2.Noiseandvibrationcontrol.Thisrequiresspecial
mediumandlong-term attention .Themaintask
consistsinsettinganoptimummachine-noise level
onthebasisofhealthdataandanassessment of
resultsobtained todatebyresearchandthe
examination ofpracticalexperiments (forexample
theuseofmachinery withalow-noise level,which
hasalreadybeenperfected).Noiseemissionlevels,
designedtotakeaccountespeciallyofthepractical
problemsinvolvedinoccupational protection ,will
beestablished afternationalexpertshavebeen
consulted andwillbepublished intheformof
Directives .
(b)Organization ofworkwithinundertakings
1.Transport withinundertakings .Interna!transport,
particularly thesafeorganization ofgeneral
thoroughfares ,needstobeexamined andsuitable
practicalinstructions shouldbedrawnup.This
sectorhasaparticularly highaccidenrrate.
2.Safetysignsatworkplaces .CouncilDirective
77/.S76/F.ECof25July1977onsafetysignsat
workplaces providesthatthesesignsmustbeable
tokeepupwithtechnical progressandmeet
recommendations forharmonization atinter­
national level.Inthisconnection provision ismadefora
committee tomeetatregularintervals .Thisaction
wasinitiatedin1977andwillbecontinued in1978
and1979bymeansofproposalsforDirectives .
3.Coordination oftheworkofprincipaland
secondary undertakings .Theinternalandexternal
collaboration ofprincipal andsecondary
undertakings (subcontracts )requires special
technicalexamination fromthepointofviewof
safety.Inpractice–especiallyforthecoordination
ofcollaboration betweenseveralindependent
undertakings–therearemanyproblemsstilltobe
solved.ACommunity examination ofthese
questionsleadingtosuchcoordination bymeansof
suitablelegalinstruments isrequired .
(c)Manufacture anduseofmachinery ,equipment and
tools
Inadditiontotheworkcompleted withinthecontext
oftheelimination oftechnical barrierstotradewhich
isconcerned withthedesignandmanufacture of
machines ,equipment andtoolsitseemsessentialto
examine intheshortandmedium-term theneedfor
jointrulesontheuseofthefollowing :agricultural
machinery ,liftinggear,machinery usedin
construction ,nictalscaffolding andwoodworking
machines .Depending onthecircumstances andonthe
resultsofthecollaboration tobeorganizedsuchrules
wouldtaketheformofguidelinesorDirectives .
(d)Handlingofdangeroussubstancesandpreparations
Anurgentstudymustbemadeofthehandlingof
dangerous ortoxicsubstances andagreement reached
oncommonstandardswhichwillthenbeproposedto
theMemberStates.Anessentially practicalapproach
isrequiredandattentionwillinitiallybedirected
towardstheproblemsofhealthprotection connected
withtheuseofpesticides andherbicides in
agriculture .Similarproblems arisewithother
products,e.g.,arsenic,lead,mercury,cadmium,
chrome,nickel,vegetabledusts,biologicalpollution,
etc.
Asinformation isobtainedonthetoxicological effect
ofthesesubstances ,asoutlinedinparagraph 5of
Initiative2,practicalguidelines willb<edrawnupfor
allproductswhichinvolvehandlingproblemsor
healthrisk*.
INITIATIVE 2
Determination ofexposurelimitsforworkerswithregard
topollutantsandharmfulsubstancespresentorlikelyto
bepresentattheworkplace
Aim
Withaviewtotheorganization ofdiseaseprevention
andtothemonitoring ofmanyoccupational risksitis

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NoC165/8 OfficialJournaloftheEuropean Communities 11.7.78
essentialtohavedataonexposurelimitsforworkerswith
regardtopollutants andharmfulsubstances .Itistherefore
important fortheCommission toachieve,atCommunity
level,harmonization oftheconcepts ,methodologies and
references onthebasisofwhichtheMember States
determine theirpermissible exposurelimits.
Therearealreadystandards forprotection against
radiation atCommunity levelwhichhavebeeninforce
since1959(Directive )andwhichwererecentlyrevisedby
aDirectiveissuedinJune1976.Theyareanexampleofa
jointhealthpolicyconcerned withanindustrialriskfacing
workersandthegeneralpublicandbasedonuniform
standardsforthewholeCommunity .Thisexampleshould
beextendedtootherpollutants presentattheworkplace .2.Harmonization ofexposurelimits
TheCommission plans,attheearliestpossible
opportunity ,tomakeacomparative studyofexisting
regulations andrecommendations inMemberStates
withregardtopermissible exposurelevelsofworkers
totoxicsubstances orphysicallyharmfulsubstances .
Thevaluesadoptedindifferentcountiiesvary,the
terminology usedisnotthesameandtheconceptsused
todetermine thelimitsarenotbasedonthesame
principles .Harmonization isthereforeessentialanda
generalDirectivecoordinating andharmonizing ex­
posurelevels,possiblyupdatedlateroninaccordance
withthelatestscientific dataandinternational
information availabletotheCommission ,couldbe
preparedbetweennowand1979.
Moreover thestudiescarriedoutbytheCommission over
thepastfouryearsinparticular inrelationtothe
environment programme andtheexperience acquiredwith
regardtocertainenvironmental pollutants nowmakeit
possibletopresentconcreteproposals foractionwith
regardtocertainspecificpollutants affectingworkplaces
inparticular .
Inadditiontotheseshort-term actions,however,the
Commission planstomakeanobjective analysisat
Community leveloftheharmfulorundesirable effectsof
exposuretopollutants ingivencircumstances–taking
accountoftheresultsalreadyobtainedatinternational
level,inparticular bytheWHOandtheILO.Fromthis
analysisitisproposedtodeducecriteriaofnoxiousness
onwhichtobaseacceptable exposurelimitsforworkers.
Suchaprojectwouldcoveralargenumberofsubstances
andwouldbeextendedasindustrial toxicitystudies
currently inprogressarecompleted .Thisshort-term initiativewouldhavetheadvantage of
achieving harmonization atCommunity leveland
avoidingthedelayofwaitingforthecompletion of
on-goingresearchprojectsinthefieldofoccupational
toxicology ,whetherwithintheCommission orinthii
MemberStates.
3.Directivesonspecificpollutants
Thegeneralharmonization discussed inparagraph 2
mustbesupplemented bythepreparation ofspecific
Directives suchasthoseproposedbytheCommission
forvinylchloridemonomerandthoseshortlytobeput
forwardonasbestos,lead,mercury,solvents,carbon
monoxide ,noiseandvibrations .Thestudiesin
progresswithintheCommission andthestateof
knowledge havenowreachedthestagewheretheycan
beusedtodetermine thepermissible exposurelevels
fortheabovementioned pollutants fromthepointof
viewofhealthprotection .
Theprotection ofhumanhealthagainstchemical
substances requiresacomplextoxicological evaluation
whichatpresentisincomplete .TheCommission must
takepriorityactionwithregardtocarcinogens ,sinceitis
generallyacceptedthatahighproportion ofhuman
canceriscausedbyexternalfactorsincludingchemicals
presentattheworkplace .
Contents
TheCommission isplanningthefollowinginitiatives :4.Carcinogens
SpecificCommission actionwithregardtocarcinogens
presentatworkplaces willconsistin:
–collectingdataonthedistribution ofcarcinogens
andtheirconcentration attheworkplace ,
–collectingandanalysingmedicaldata,
–perfectingreadilyapplicabledetection,
fixingthelowestpossiblelevelsor,ifnecessary,
prohibitacertainnumberofcarcinogens presentat
theworkplace .
Non-ionizing radiationandotherphysicalagents
Withregardtonon-ionizing radiation,proposalsfor
Directives willbesubmitted totheCouncilon
microwaves ,laserradiation,ultra-violet radiationand
ultrasound ,onthebasisoftheprocedurefollowedfor
Standardsinprotectionagainstradiation.5.Toxicological evaluation
Toxicological evaluationiscentraltotheassessmentof
thehealthrisksduetothepresenceofmanychemical
andbiologicalagentsintheworkingenvironment .This
canbecarriedoutonlyifsufficientknowledge is
availableontheeffectsoftheagentsunder

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OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunitiesNoC165/9
consideration onman.Themethodology adoptedby
theCommission forassessingthedangersfrotn
environmental pollutants ingeneralisbasedon
researchintocriteriafornoxiousness fromwhich
permissible humanexposurelevelsmaybededuced.
ThedataalreadycollectedbytheCommission onthe
effectsonhealthofurbanatmospheric pollutantsand
certainwaterpollutantsprovideabasisfortheaction
plannedinindustry,butitneedstobeconsiderablv
extendedanddeveloped .Prioritywillbegiventothe
followingsubstances :arsenic,cadmium,chromium ,
ironoxides,nickel,vegetabledusts,ozone,nitrogen
oxidesandbiologicalpollutants .
1heCommission ,whiletakingaccountofstudies
alreadycarriedoutandprojectsbeingplannedat
international level,istogiveprioritytotheextension
anddevelopment ofinformation relatingtothe
objectiveevaluation ofrisksassociated withtoxic
substancespresentattheworkplace .Thisactionwill
leadtoDirectivesonexposurelevelsforworkersand
alsotothecompilation ofhandbooks onthesafe
handlingofsuchsubstancesattheworkplace .The
Commission intendstocarryoutthisactionbymeans
ofaseriesofstudiesandscientificandtechnical
consultations .Itwillbeassistedinthisactionbya
ScientificCommittee onToxicology plannedfortheendof1*77.(c)monitoringofthestateofhealthandbehaviourofthe
workeraspartofoccupational medicine;
(d>r!7kC,al"10nit0r,nRasaresultofworkentailingspecial
(e)industrialtoxico-vigilance ;
(f)inspections .
TheCommission feelsthatitisessentialtoharmonizeat
Community levelprinciplesandmethodsapplicableto
monitoring .Moreover,effortsshouldbemadetointerest
workersinmonitoringwithintheundertaking ,eitherbydirectmeansorbymeansof„jstinRbodiesotinstitutions . *"""icsor
Anyproposedsolutionsmustallowworkers'and
employersrepresentatives toplayafullerpartinthe
practicalorganization ofsuchmonitoringatvariouslevelsofactionandresponsibility .
Contents
INITIATIVE 3
Moreextensivemonitoringofworkers'safetyandhealth
Aim
Whereasexposurelimitsforworkersandsafetyand
healthprotectionmeasuresareessentialfactorsinthe
organization ofaccidentanddiseaseprevention,various
permanentandwell-adapted methodsarealsorequired
withwhichtomonitorthemeasuresadoptedandthe
exposurelevelsprescribedfortheworkplace .
Thesemonitoring methodsmustbeharmonized and
coordinated atCommunity level.
Themonitoring ofworkers'healthandsafetydepends
uponseveraltypesofmonitoring whichcomplement each
other:
(a)monitoring oftheeffectiveness ofindividual ,orgroup
safetyandprotection measureswithregardto
machinery ,equipment andplant;
(b)monitoring ofhygieneandworkingconditionsfrom
vh'.chthetypesofexposuretodifferentphysical,
chemicalandbiolog'ealagentspresentintheworkingenvironment arederived : '1.Monitoringoftheeffectiveness ofsafetyandprotection
measures
Planningandexecutionofthisformofmonitoring
var'csatpresentfromcountrytocountryand
accordingtotheregulations andactivitiesconcerned .
Oncetheprovisions currentlygoverning such
monitoring havebeenanalysed,suitableproposalswill
besubmittedtotheCouncilforadoptioninorderto
harmonizeandstrengthentheorganization ofthistype
ofmonitoring inwhichtheworkers'andemployers'
representatives shouldplayagreaterrole.
2.Monitoring ofhygieneandworkingconditions
Monitoring ofpollutantconcentrations atworkplaces
andtheintensityofenvironmental factorsisessentia]
fortheorganization ofdiseaseprevention and
monitoring .
Measuring programmes doexistinMemberStatesbut
theyarebasedondifferentmethodsandsometimes
different principles .Thesemeasures mustbe
harmonized atCommunity levelwithregardto
sampling ,techniques andmeasuring intervals.
WhentheCommission hasanalysedthesedifferent
method 1;,itwilldrawupintercomyarison programmes
andpreparereferenceineihodsforthederertTunation of
themajorpollutantspresentatworkplaces .
Specialattentionwilibepaidtopromoting the
development ofnewmonitoring andmeasuring
methodsforindividualexposure .

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NoC165/10 OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities 11.7.78
TheCommission willmak»asimilarefforttoapply
thehumanbiological indicators alreadyinexistence
andwillcarryoutresearchfornewindicators which
willmakeitpossibletodetectanychangesinthestate
ofhealthatanearlystage.TheEuropean listof
occupational diseaseswillbeusedas*reference
document fordrawinguptheprioritiesforthisaction
scheduled totakeplaceasfrom1978.Accountwill
havetobetakennotonlyofindividual sensitivity ,
whichmaybeveryhighforsomepollutants ,andof
workplaces sothatgroupswithahighoccupational
exposure riskmaybeidentified ,butalsoofsome
specialgroupsofworkerssuchasadolescents and
women .
3.Mdnitoring ofworkers'health
Inaccordance withthetermsofArticle118ofthe
Treatyestablishing theEF.C,occupational medicine
mustbeconsidered asanareainwhichthe
Commission hasthetaskofpromoting close
cooperation betweenMemberStatesinthesocialfield,
particularly inmattersrelatingtoworkingconditions
andtotheprevention ofoccupational accidentsand
diseases.Theterm'occupational medicine' ,asstatedin
the1962recommendation onoccupational medicinein
theundertaking ,referstoaserviceestablished inor
nearaplaceofemployment forthepurposesof:
(a)protecting theworkersagainstanyhealthhazard
whichmayariseoutoftheirworkorconditions in
whichitiscarriedon;
(b)contributing towardstheworkers *physicaland
mentaladjustment ,inparticular bytheadaptation
oftheworktotheworkersandtheirassignment to
jobsforwhichtheyaresuited;andThisrevisionwillbecarriedoutwitheffectfrom197K
byconsultation withtherelevantbodiesandshould
culminate inadirectiveontheorganization of
occupational medicine intheMemberStatesofthe
Community ,tobeproposed in1979.
4.Spécialntonitoring
Inmanyundertakings therearcsomejobswhich
presenthigherthanaveragerisks;certaintypesof
casualworkmayalsoinvolveexposuretoriskwhichis
higherthanthatpresentinnormalworkingconditions
orthantheexposure levelslaiddown.Suchjobsarc
done,forexample,bymembersofrescueteamsorof
maintenance andrepairteamsandbyworkersin
virologylaboratories andininstitutesproducing seraor
viruses,etc.
Exchanges ofinformation andexperience forcases
involvingtheseaspectsshouldbeorganized atCom­
munitylevelandshouldleadtoadefinition ofthe
principles andcriteriaforthisparticular typeof
monitoring .
5.Industriel toxico-vigilance
TheCommission planstosetupanindustrial
toxico-vigilancesystemalongthelinesproposedbythe
II.Oandwhichisaimedatestablishing acentral
information systemforallobservations madein
industrial activityconcerning theharmfuleffectsof
toxicsubstances .Thissystemshouldbebasedona
networkofhighlyspecialized centreswhichcould
analyseinformation receivedfromoccupational health
servicesandtransmititwhenrequiredtointerested
personsorinstitutions .
(c)contributing totheestablishment andmaintenance
ofthehighestpossibledegreeofphysicaland
mentalwell-being oftheworkers.
inaddition,Recommendation 112oftheILOstated
thattheroleofoccupational healthservicesshouldbe
essentiallypreventiveanddefinedtheirfunctionssoas
toincludetheprevention ofaccidentsandoccupational
diseases,thelehabilitation ofworkers,jobanalysisin
thelightofphysiological andpsychological
considerations ,surveillance ofhygiene,adviceonthe
placementofworkers,medicalsupervision ,emergency
treatmentandresearchinoccupational health.
Consideration mustbegiventocloserharmonization of
themethodsusedbyoccupational healthservicesin
undertakings inorderthattheworkoftheindustrial
medicalofficermaybemorefullyintegratedintothe
systemformonitoring workers'safetyandhealth)as
recommended inthisprogramme .TheCommission willmakeanappropriate proposalto
theCouncil,afterholdingthenecessaryconsultations .
6.Intpecttont
Inspectionscarriedoutforthepurposesofoccupational
safety,medicineandhygieneshouldbeorganizedso
thattheyassumefullresponsibility andcontrolby
placingtheemphasisonpreventivemeasures .Withthis
endinviewthenecessaryprovisionsmustbemadein
closecollaboration withthecompetent authorities in
MemberStatesforthestrengthening anddevelopment
oftheworkofinspection atnationallevel.The
Commission intendstoreviewtheroleofthe
inspectorate responsible forimplementing ineach
MemberStatetheregulations ofoccupational health,
hygieneandsafety.Thisreviewwillcoverdiplomas,
certificates andotherqualifications ,andthepowers
andscopeoftheirresponsibilities inthisfield.

11.7.78-37-
OfficialJournaloftheEuropean Communities NoC165/11
INITIATIVE 4
Accidentanddiseaseaetiologyandassessment ofrisks
connected withwork
Aim
Theriskofaccidentordiseasemaybeestimated
objectively onlyifreliablemethodsareavailablewhich
makeitpossibletodetermine thescope,seriousness and
development intimeand,inageneralway,toacquire
greaterknowledge ofthevariousfactorsinvolvedinthe
causeofaccidents atworkandofdiseasesduetowork.
Statistics areessential toolsfortheanalysisand
interpretation offactsandforassessment oftheresults
obtainedfromanaccidentanddiseaseprevention policy.
Theimprovement ofstatisticsandtheircomparability ,the
harmonization ofmethodologies andthemoreprecise
interpretation ofthedatatheyprovideareimportant steps
inthedevelopment ofanimprovedorganization ofwork
withregardtoaccidentanddiseaseprevention .Sinceso
manydifferentapproaches areusedadistinction mustbe
drawnbetweenactioninrespectofaccidentsatworkand
actioninrespectofdiseaseduetowork.
Suchactionsmustprovideaclearerpictureofthe
differentcausative factorsofaccidentsatworkandof
diseasesdueroWorkandmustusethemasabasisfor
practicalpreventive andprotective measuresagainst
hazardsconnected withwork.Itwillthenbepossibleto
providepreventive-type protectionformenatwork,onan
objectiveandrealisticbasis.
Inaddition,specialattentionwillbepaidtocalculating
theeconomic andsocialcostofaccidents atworkand
diseasesduetoworksoastoestablishtheorderof
priorityforpreventive measures .
Accountwillbetakenoftheharmonization workalready
carriedoutbyotherinternational organizations andof
workcompletedorinprogress,particularly bytheILO.
Contents >
Theseinitiatives dealseparately withaccidentsatwork
anddiseasesresultingfromwork,
Asregardsaccidentsatworkthetwosectorsforwhich
Community statisticsareaireadyavailablearetheiron
andsteelindustryandmining.Drawingontheexperience
gainedinthesectorstheCommission planstodrawup
Community statisticsconcerning othersectors,tolaunch
sectoralin-depth studiesandtoharmonize accidentdefinitionsandmethodsofreportingaccidentsinorderto
establishmorepreciselytheaetiologyofaccidents.
Preparatory surveysareinprogressandthefirstresults
willbeavailable in1979.
Withregardtodiseasesduetowork,statisticscollectedat
nationallevelusuallyconcernonlyoccupational diseases
andaredrawnupondifferentbasessothatitisnot
possibletocomparethem.TherearcnoCommunity
statisticsinthisfieldanditwouldbeappropriate to
deviseajointmethodology assoonaspossiblesothat
existingnationalstatisticsmaybeprocessed.The
Commission thereforeplanstogatherandanalyse
nationalstatisticalinformation andtodrawupproposals
formethodologies withaviewtoacommonapproach,so
thatcalculations maybemadeofmortality,sicknessand
absenteeism ratesandtheirevolutionoveraperiodof
time.
Closecollaboration mustbeinstitutedwiththenational
statisticalofficesandthenationalsocialsecurityoffices
withregardtothesenewproblems.
Thisisamedium-term initiativeandthefirstresultswill
becomeavailableonlyaftertwoorthreeyears.
INITIATIVE 5
Coordination andpromotion ofresearchonoccupational
safetyandhealth
Aim
Theactionplannedintheprogramme mustfindits
scientific supportinaresearchprogramme whichis
coordinated and/orcarriedoutjointlyandwhichdealson
theonehandwiththemeasurement andeffectsonhealth
ofpollutants andharmfulsubstances and,ontheother
hand,withthedevelopment withinundertakings ofsafer,
'cleaner'technologies whichdonotthreatenthegeneral
environment .
Collaboration mustbeorganized andstrengthened
betweentheinstitutes andlaboratories ofMemberStates
inordertoavoidduplication ofwork,toderivegreater
benefitfromthefinancialresources available andwhere
necessarytobringtogetherhighlyspecialized laboratories
toworkonproblemswhichcannotbesolvedinasingle
Member State.
Moreover ,researchmustbecarriedou;infieldswhere
littleornoworkhasb«endone,suchasagriculture and
thetertiaryindustries .

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NoC165/12OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities11.7.78
Contents
Iwopermanent inventories ofresearchinprogressor
planned (occupational safetyant)medicine )atnational
levelarealreadybeingpreparedatCommunity level.
From1978theinventories willmakeitpossibletosetup
areciprocalinformation systemonresponsible bodiesin
ordertopromotetheexchangeofknowledge andcreate
conditions forclosecollaboration betweenresearch
institutes .Thesepermanent inventories willalsomention
fieldsinwhichtherearegaps.Threepilotstudiesarein
progressoninflammable substances ,occupational risksin
thebuildingindustryandcertaincarcinogens .During
1978thesestudieswillalsoindicatewhichsubjectsshould
becoveredbyjointresearch .
Onthebasisoftheseinventories thedatabankbeing
compiledwithintheCommission shouldbeprogressively
supplemented andshouldincludedetailsofnewresearch;
accountistakenofthefactthatthisdatabankwill
subsequently belinkedtotheinformation systemon
medicalresearchwhichisbeingsetupatCommission
level.generalwayoccupational andsocialsectorsinvolvedin
problemsofaccidentpreventionandhealthprotectionat
"Thisisamediumandlong-terminitiativeinviewofthe
differentsectorsinvolvedandoftheabsencetodaieof
anyrealmethodology andcommonprinciples .Various
studiesandconsultations willberequiredbeforeresults
andconcreteproposalsareobtainedatCommunity level.
Thisactionconcernseducational bodies,"undertakings and
societyingeneral .
Asforeducationthebasicprinciplesofsafetyandof
healtheducationmustbetaughtinschools.Knowledge ol
andthecorrectattitudestowardsoccupational safetyand
hygienemustbetaughtatvariouslevelsofeducationas
anintegralpartofthecurriculum andatthesametime
attentionmustbepaidtotherequirements ofprevention
inrelationtoreallifesituations .Thequestionisoneof
establishing atCommunity levelasafetytrainingscheme
V^hichtakesaccountofthedifferences betweennational
characteristics andtraditionsbutwhichisbasedon
commonprinciplesandacommonapproach .
Researchworkaimedatclosingthegapsinknowledge on
toxicagentsandtheireffectsonhealthoratimproving
methodsformeasuring theseagentsisofmajor
importance forthesuccessofseveralpartsofthe
programme–inparticular thesectiononthe
determination ofcriteriaforharmfulness .Itwillalsohelp
todetermine a%accuratelyaspossiblethepotentialand
actualeffectonhealthofpollutantsandnuisancespresent
orlikelytobepresentattheworkplace .
Theresultsoftheimplementation ofthevarious
initiativesmakinguptheprogramme willbeanalysedby
theCommission witheffectfrom1979andcouldforma
basisforthepreparation ofadetailedandprecise
Community researchanddevelopment programme which
couldbethesubject ,ofafutureCommission proposalfor
adoptionbytheCouncil. .,Withinundertakings stepsfortheelimination ofrisks
mustbesystematically organizedandcoordinated atall
levelsofresponsibility andmanagement .Principlesof
safetymustbeconsolidated ,developedandmadepublic.
Actiondesignedtosharpentheawarenessofindustrialists
andheadsofundertakings mustbetakentogetherwith
thecampaignaimedatworkers.
Forthetrainingofsocietyingeneraltheactiontakenin
education mustbesupplemented byactionaimedat
certainpopulation groups.Theuseofaudiovisual aidsis
oneofthemostmodernandmosteffectivemeansof
informingthepublicoftheimportance andsignificance of
accidentanddiseaseprevention .
Contents
1*Education
INITIATIVE €
Development ofsafetyandhealthconsciousness bymeant
ofeducationandtraining
Aim
Thisinitiative isaimedatdeveloping safetyandhealth
^consciousness bymeansofeducationandtraining .Itisof
paramount importance forthesuccessoftheprotnotionof
safetyandhygieneatworkplaces .Itisbasedon
instruction andtrainingandinvolvesvariouslevelsof
.educationandtheundertaking itself.ItalsoconcernsinaTheCommission planstocarryout,togetherwiththe
bodiesresponsible fornationaleducation ,preparatory
studiesforthepurposeofdefiningharmonized
planningatCommunity level. v.
Ingeneraleducation–starting .attheearliestageand
continuing throughout schoollife-–instruction must
beontwolevels:
–theoretical andpracticalinstruction togivechildren
andyoungpeopleanawareness oftheriskof
accidents, •
instructiontodevelopasenseofmoralandpublic
responsibility withregardtosafetyand.health
protection . ■>,,■•••...

11.7.78-39-
OfficialJournaloftheEuropeanCommunities NoC165/13
Intechnicaleducationrelevanttraininginsafetyand
healthprotection shouldaccompany alllevelsof
technicalinstruction andvocational training.Special
attentionshouldbepaidtothetrainingofpersons
particularly concerned withsafetyandhealth
protection whohaveaspecifictaskorresponsibility in
thisfield.
TheCommission planstoproposeCommunity training
modelsforpersonsincertainoccupations and
concerned withspecifictasks,suchasindustrial
medicalofficer,occupational safetyofficer,engineer,
architect,memberofacompanysafetycommittee or
unionofficial .
2.Undertaking
Withinanundertaking traininginsafetymustheunder
thecontroloftheundertaking itselfsincegeneraland
technicaltrainingcannottaketheplaceofappropriate
actionattheworkplace .Thistypeoftrainingmust
supplement theinstruction received anschoolsandit
mustalsobegiventothosewhohavenotpreviously
receivedanysuchinstruction .
Suchtraining,tobecarriedoutwithinindustry,willbe
morespecialized andmoredetailed.Inmanycasesit
willbeorganized byspecialistbodieswhoseworkmust
becoordinated atCommunity level.Itshouldhe
remembered thateducation coversabroadspanof
learningsituations–forexampleinstruction givenby
experienced workersandlearningon-the-job.
Beginning in1978,theCommission intends:
–todrawupCommunity modelsfor'safetytraining
andrefreshercoursesforcertaincategories ofstaff:
administrative grades,executive grades,instructors
forcoursesonsafetyandhealtheducation and
safetydelegates,
–todrawupCommunity modelsforpresenting
variousaspectsofsafetytonewlyrecruitedworkers,
migrantworkersandworker*whohavechanged
jobs,todrawupmanualsandcodesofpracticewith
regardtosectoralactivitiesordangerousjobs,
–toorganizesafetycampaigns oflimitedduration
withaspecificaim,inwhichworkerswillfeelfully
andactivelyinvolved,
–toextendthegrouptrainingcoursesalreadyin
existencetoothergroupsofpersonsconcerned with
accidentprevention andsafetymeasures .
Thisactionwii!befurtheredbymakingavailableto
bothmanagement andlabourknowledge orconcepts
acquiredeitherbyexchange ofexperience within
specialistgroupsintherelevantsectorsorhyresearch
projectsjointlyagreedandfinanced.Suchknowledge
couldbeincludedininstructions ,regulations orcodes
ofpractice,tobedistributed withcommentaries inthe
appropriate quartersandtobekeptconstantly uptodate.
TheCommission willsupportthistypeofcooperation
andpromotion ofsafetybyproviding informalion
gathered fromspecificaspectsoftheaction
programme ,suchasinformation onaccidents andon
technicalprogressinthedesign,manufacture anduse
ofmachinery andplant,andbymakingavailablethe
industrial toxicovigilance results.
3.Population groups
Inadditiontotheactiontakenineducation ,general
information forcertainpopulation-groups (suchas
parents'associations ,professional bodies,women's
associations )mustbeorganized withregardtothe
importance ofaccidentanddiseaseprevention .Some
stepshavealreadybeentakeninthisfieldatnational
level.Audiovisual aidsarealreadyusedtoprovidethis
information .TheCommission planstocoordinate
theseinitiativesand-developthemjointly,toproduce
filmsandsetupapermanent fileonaudiovisual aids
availableonanexchangebasis.

v.Annex 4
TheAdvisory Committee onSafety ,Hygiene andHealth Protection
atWork ,meeting atits6thmeeting on18,19,20April 1978 ,
having regard tothedraft resolution oftheCouncil oftheEuro­
pean Communities onanaction programme oftheEuropean Communities on
safety andhealth atwork (OJC9of11January 1978),
emphasizing thevery great importance ofthis document ,which
concerns thehealth andsafety ofworkers ,
being informed that theCouncil ofMinisters oftheEuropean
Communities will discuss thesaid draft resolution atitsmeeting next
June ,
noting that this action programme ,assoon asithasbeen adopted ,
must beimplemented progressively bythedepartments oftheCommission
oftheEuropean Communities ,
* emphasizing that theadoption oftheaction programme would have
noeffect iftheCommission oftheEuropean Communities didnotpossess
thefinancial resources which areindispensable foritsimplementation ,
requests that theCommission oftheEuropean Communities bring the
matter totheattention oftheCounoil ofMinisters oftheEuropean Com­
munities sothat thefunds required fortheimplementation oftheaction
programme bytheCommission oftheEuropean Communities maybereleased
inorder ,inparticular ,toenable sufficient staff tobeprovided for
thedepartments which ,inconjunction with theCommittee referred toabove ,
areresponsible fordealing with thequestions relating tothesaid pro­
gramme .

-41-Annex 4
EESOLOTION BYTHE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR SAFETY ,HYGIENE
AND HEALTH PIC1TECTICN ATWORK ,
UNAN 3MXJSLY ADOPTED ATITS 7TH PLENARY MEETING
INIIJXEMBOURG CN19TH AND 20TH DECEMBER 1978
TheAdvisory Ccxrmittee forSafety ,Hygiene ardHealth Protection
atWork
-expresses itssatisfaction attheCouncil Resolution of29June 1578
onanaction programme oftheEoropean CGrrnuni ties onsafety and
health atwork ardthepriorities specified therein ;
-considers that asaresult the Ccvnrni ssion a'-dCouncil areresponsible
for the irrpleynentati onofthis prcgr arnme ;
-reiterates that ithasalready pointed out botheCaranission sweral
timps that thenumber ofstaff available forthepurpose isaltogether
Inadequate ;
-urges roost emphatically that ,notvlthstoriding allbudgetary problems
which have arisen ,enough additional staff should beimde available
byDGVinLuxembourg ,toensure that theaction programme does not
remain adead-letter ;
-urges theCommission tobring this Resolution tothenotice ofthe
Council ,theEuropean Parliament andthe Ecorxxriic andSocial Carcnittee .
Luxembourg ,20December 1978

-42- Annex 4
Statement bytheworkers *
representatives onthe
1977 report
The workers' Group has nocomments tomake onthecontent ofthe
report asitstands *Indeed ,itreflects thereal situation .This ,
however ,isnotenough ,andwewish toexpress ourdisappointment
with theaimor vole played uptonow ,bytheAdvisoiy Committee ,whose
work haslacked impact .When theCommittee wasfounded wehadhigh
expectations ofitBpossibilities andbelieved that itwould bea
force inimputting theworking conditions ofwage-eaners .
Today -attheendofthefirst term ofoffice ofthemembers
oftheCommittee –wemust reluctantly state that our hopes have
not been fulfilled .This tailure isnot thefault ofthepersonnel
oftheCommission ,which isconsiderably understaffed ,butstems
from theCommission 'softhepolitical will totreat problems of
such importance asthehealth andsafety ofworkers onthesame level
asother current problems .Theworkers' reprensentatives hope that
after theCouncil ofMinisters haBadopted theaction programme the
Advisory Committee will become more effective .Ifthere isnoimpro­
vement ,thereprsentativeB ofthetrades unions will beforced to
reconsider their parcip&tion inmeetings ofapurely formal nature .