REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION 24th ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THEADVISORY COMMITTEE ON SAFETY, HYGIENE AND HEALTH PROTECTION AT WORK 1999

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUMMARY

1. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COMMITTEE

1.1. Origin, competence and remit

1.2. Structure, procedure

2. ACTIVITIES IN 1999

2.1. 23rd activity report of the Advisory Committee

2.2. Opinions adopted

2.2.1. Opinion of the Committee on the proposal (document III/4101/97 rev.3 of 05/10/98) for a new draft of the "machinery" Directive 98/37/EC (document No 0128/2/99).

2.2.2. Opinion on a procedure and methodology allowing the Advisory Committee to deliver the opinions requested from it by the Commission on the reports by the Member States on the practical implementation of the Directives and which are submitted to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee (document 0637/1/99).

2.2.3. Opinion on the "development of health and safety management systems" (document 510/1/99) and draft European guidelines for the organisation of occupational safety and health (document 0135/2/99).

2.2.4. Opinion on the draft standardisation mandates issued to the European standardisation bodies and contained in Docs 24/99, 37/99, 40/99, 41/99, 42/99, 43/99 and 44/99 (document No 0641/99).

2.2.5. Opinion on the CEN study carried out at the request of the European Commission on the feasibility of a guide to the selection of personal protective equipment. (Document No 6224/1/98)

2.2.6. Opinion on a first list of indicative occupational exposure limit values (Document No 6037/1/98)

2.2.7. Opinion on safety and health protection for self-employed workers. (Document No 6227/2/98).

2.2.8. Opinion of the Committee on the draft work programme for the Bilbao Agency for 2000

3. ACTIVITIES OF THE AD HOC GROUPS/END-OF-YEAR STRUCTURE

3.1. Ad hoc Groups active in 1999 and continuing their activities in 2000

3.1.1. Planning

3.1.2. Standardisation

3.1.3. Occupational exposure levels

3.1.4. Multidisciplinary protective and preventive services/Health surveillance at work

3.1.5. Prevention of violence at work

3.1.6. Committee restructuring (Planning group)

3.1.7. Report on the operation of the Bilbao Agency

3.1.8. Musculo-skeletal disorders

3.2. Creation of working groups in 1999

3.3. Disbandment of ad hoc Groups

3.3.1. Implementation of directives

3.3.2. Self-employed workers

3.3.3. Machinery

4. COOPERATION WITH OTHER BODIES

4.1. Safety and Health Commission

4.2. Senior Labour Inspectors' Committee

4.3. Scientific Committee for Occupational Exposure Limits to Chemical Agents

4.4. Social partners

4.5. Trade Union Technical Bureau

4.6. International Labour Office

4.7. European Foundation

4.8. Bilbao European Agency

ANNEX A

ANNEX B

ANNEX C

ANNEX D

SUMMARY

In view of the need to establish a standing body to assist the Commission in the preparation and implementation of activities in the fields of safety, hygiene and health protection at work and to facilitate cooperation between national administrations, trade unions and employers' organisations, the Council of the European Communities, by its Decision of 27 June 1974 (74/325/EEC), established an Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work.

The Committee is a tripartite body made up of full members comprising, for each Member State, two government representatives, two representatives of trade unions and two representatives of employers' organisations. An alternate member is appointed for each full member. The full members and alternate members of the Committee are appointed by the Council, which publishes the list of members in the Official Journal of the European Communities, for information purposes. The Committee is chaired by a Member of the Commission or, where he or she is prevented from so doing, by a designated Commission official.

The Committee produces an annual report on its activities, which the Commission forwards to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Consultative Committee of the European Coal and Steel Community.

In 1999 the Committee, chaired by the Director-General of the Directorate-General for Employment and Social Affairs (DG EMPL.), met on two occasions in Luxembourg. At each meeting the Commission informed the Committee of developments with regard to all matters concerning safety, hygiene and health protection at work.

The Committee adopted the annual report for 1998, together with eight opinions which are reviewed in section 2.2 of this report, and looked at potential subjects for its 2000 work programme.

1. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COMMITTEE

1.1. Origin, competence and remit

In view of the need to establish a standing body to assist the Commission in the preparation and implementation of activities in the field of safety, hygiene and health protection at work, and to facilitate cooperation between national administrations, trade unions and employers' organisations, the Council of the European Communities, by its Decision of 27 June 1974 (74/325/EEC), set up an Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work.

The main tasks of the Committee (Article 2(2) of the Decision) are:

(1) to conduct, on the basis of information available to it, exchanges of views and experience regarding existing or planned rules and regulations;

(2) to contribute towards the development of a common approach to problems encountered in the fields of safety, hygiene and health protection at work, and towards the choice of Community priorities as well as the measures necessary for implementing them;

(3) to draw the Commission's attention to areas in which there is an apparent need for the acquisition of new knowledge and for the implementation of appropriate educational and research projects;

(4) to define, within the framework of Community action programmes, and in cooperation with the Mines Safety and Health Commission (now the Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and other Extractive Industries):

- the criteria and aims underpinning action to combat the risk of accidents at work and health hazards within the working environment,

- the methods whereby companies and their employees can evaluate and improve the level of protection;

(5) to contribute towards keeping national administrations, trade unions and employers' organisations informed of Community measures in order to facilitate their cooperation and to encourage initiatives promoted by them with a view to exchanging experience and laying down codes of practice.

1.2. Structure, procedure

The Committee is a tripartite body made up of full members comprising, for each Member State, two government representatives, two representatives of trade unions and two representatives of employers' organisations. An alternate member is appointed for each full member. The full members and alternate members of the Committee are appointed by the Council, which publishes the list of members in the Official Journal of the European Communities, for information purposes.

The Committee is chaired by a Member of the Commission or, where he or she is prevented from so doing, by a designated Commission official.

The Committee may establish working parties under the chairmanship of a Committee member. The results of their proceedings are submitted in the form of a report at a meeting of the Committee.

The Committee produces an annual report on its activities, which the Commission forwards to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Consultative Committee of the European Coal and Steel Community.

Opinions of the Committee are delivered by an absolute majority of the votes validly cast. An opinion delivered by the Committee is valid when two-thirds of its members are present.

The rules of procedure adopted by the Committee entered into force on 30 April 1976, following approval by the Council on the basis of a Commission opinion.

The representatives of the governments, trade unions and employers' organisations are organised in three separate interest Groups, each of which appoints a spokesperson. The latter attend meetings of the interest Group which appointed them and meetings of the Committee, at which they put forward the Groups' views.

Liaison between the members of the government interest Group is the responsibility of a Committee member who represents the government of the country holding the Presidency. Liaison between members of the employers' Group is the responsibility of the Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe (UNICE), while the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC), a workers' trade union organisation at Community level, is responsible for coordinating the position of workers' representatives.

The Commission provides secretarial services for the Committee and the ad hoc Groups. The Secretariat comes under Directorate-General EMPL (Unit D/6).

2. ACTIVITIES IN 1999

On 7 July 1997, the Council, acting on a proposal from the Member States, appointed the full members and alternate members of the Committee for the period from 7 July 1997 to 6 July 2000, with the previous term of office having run from 4 March 1994 to 3 March 1997. The list showing the members in 1999 is contained in Annex B.

In 1999 the Committee met on two occasions in Luxembourg, in May and October. At each meeting the Commission informed the Committee of developments with regard to all the matters concerning safety, hygiene and health protection at work.

Meetings of the interest Groups representing governments, employers and workers were held on the day before the Committee meetings. Two additional meetings of the interest Groups were held during the year.

Progress made by the Committee in its activities during 1999 mirrored the work undertaken by the Commission under the Community programme covering the period from 1996 to 2000.

The proposed activities and priorities were put to the Committee by the planning Group, which met on four occasions.

Fifteen meetings were organised to accommodate the activities of the eight ad hoc Groups set up to investigate specialised areas on which the Committee wished to give an opinion.

The Commission decided to disband three Groups whose work had been completed.

- Implementation of directives

- Self-employed workers

- Machinery

The Commission set up five groups for which a mandate was adopted:

- Asbestos (document No 0306/1/99)

- Reports (document No 0136/1/99)

- Guidelines Chemical Agents Directive (document No 0307/2/99)

- Musculo-skeletal disorders (document No 0303/99)

- Report on the operation of the Agency (document No 0305/99).

The Committee also attributed the mandate for "Restructuring of committees" to the Planning group (document No 0304/99) and revised the mandate of the group on "Establishment of occupational exposure levels" (document No 0314/1/99).

The work of the Groups is summarised in section 3 of this report.

The Committee adopted the annual report for 1998 and eight opinions, which are reviewed in section 2.2 of this report, and studied the subjects which could make up its programme of work for 2000.

2.1. 23rd activity report of the Advisory Committee

document 0649/99

The Committee adopted its 23rd report, covering activities in 1998, at its 59th meeting held on 27 October 1999.

2.2. Opinions adopted

2.2.1. Opinion of the Committee on the proposal (document III/4101/97 rev.3 of 05/10/98) for a new draft of the "machinery" Directive 98/37/EC (document No 0128/2/99).

The Committee set up the "Machinery" group on 29 October 1997 to prepare an Opinion of the Advisory Committee on the draft Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to machinery, revising Directive 98/37//EEC (consolidated version of Directive 89/392/EEC).

In its opinion the Committee commented on the complexity of the text of the draft directive and noted that, if it were to retain this complexity, accompanying measures would have to be envisaged in order to make it easier to understand and apply uniformly in all EU Member States.

The Committee felt that the Directive should apply to the complete production chain right up to putting into service, i.e. the first use of the machine, leaving no legal void between the provisions of the "Machinery" Directive and those of the amended Directive 89/655.

The term "quasi-machinery" needed to be clarified, as did the way in which this should be treated from the legal viewpoint. In particular, any responsibilities of the various parties involved needed to be specified.

The draft decision was adopted by a majority vote of the Committee on 27 October 1999.

2.2.2. Opinion on a procedure and methodology allowing the Advisory Committee to deliver the opinions requested from it by the Commission on the reports by the Member States on the practical implementation of the Directives and which are submitted to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee (document 0637/1/99).

On 29 October 1997 the Committee set up the "Reports" working group; its mandate was the preparation of a procedure and methodology to enable the Committee to deliver the opinions requested from it by the Commission which, in accordance with its obligations, must submit reports to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee.

In line with the mandate the Opinion is divided into two parts:

- the first is devoted to the Committee's comments on the standard outline used by the national authorities as the basis for their reports. In application of the Directives based on Article 118a of the Treaty, the Member States must report to the Commission on the practical implementation of the directive's provisions, indicating the points of view of the social partners.

- The second part targets more specifically the procedures leading to preparation of the Committee's opinion on the Commission's reports and to the recommendations on the major lines of these reports.

The draft decision was adopted by a majority vote of the Committee on 27 October 1999.

2.2.3. Opinion on the "development of health and safety management systems" (document 510/1/99) and draft European guidelines for the organisation of occupational safety and health (document 0135/2/99).

The group was created on 29 October 1997 to formulate, in the context of the progressive globalisation of markets and in the framework of Article 137 of the EC Treaty, recommendations relating to the development of guidelines for the creation of health and safety management systems.

Four meetings were needed to fulfil the mandate.

Document 0510/1/99, opinion:

The Advisory Committee recognises that a systematic approach to OSH is a prerequisite for achieving the high level of health and safety at work envisaged by the Framework Directive. No universal OSH management system could be usable for all organisations regardless of size, sector and specific risks. Nevertheless the Committee felt that some basic conditions could be identified and put forward as guidelines in order to promote a common approach.

Document 0135/2/99, guidelines:

The document starts by supporting the development of these guidelines as a factor in the application of high standards of health and safety at work. It goes on to develop them by reference to the following elements and processes:

- Safety and health policy and strategy;

- Responsibility, functions and authority;

- Structure of the OSHMS;

- Internal and external information flows and co-operation;

- Mainstreaming of safety and health at work for employees;

- Documentation and document management;

- Determination and assessment of results and improvement of the OSHMS.

The Committee unanimously adopted the draft Opinion on 27 October 1999.

2.2.4. Opinion on the draft standardisation mandates issued to the European standardisation bodies and contained in Docs 24/99, 37/99, 40/99, 41/99, 42/99, 43/99 and 44/99 (document No 0641/99).

The Committee noted that, although the mandates had already been examined by the "standardisation" committee, it should assist the Commission by giving its own opinion on these draft mandates before they were officially conferred on the European standardisation bodies, so that aspects relating to safety, hygiene and health protection at work could also be examined.

- Doc. 24/99 - Draft mandate to CEN, CENELEC and ETSI on electromagnetic compatibility

- The Committee approved the document without amendment.

- Doc. 37/99 - Draft mandate to CEN concerning the definition of standardised methods for measuring concentrations of PM 2.5 particles in the ambient air

- The Advisory Committee recommended that the Commission consider whether it was necessary to develop separate measurement methods for the workstation or whether the current formulation of the mandate should encompass all environments.

- Doc. 40/99 - CEN mandate in the framework of Directive 89/686/EEC concerning personal protective equipment, in the light of standard EN 1384 on helmets for equestrian sports

- The Committee recommended that the Commission consider whether the mandate should also take account of work activities linked to equestrian sports and other leisure activities linked to horse riding.

- Doc. 41/99 - Draft mandate to CEN-CENELEC-ETSI concerning a quality assurance standard

- The Committee accepted the mandate without comment.

- Doc. 42/99 - Draft mandate to CEN-CENELEC-ETSI in the sector of information and communication technologies

- The Committee accepted the mandate without comment.

- Doc. 43/99 - Draft mandate to the European standardisation bodies on the safety of children and consumers

- The Committee recommended that the Commission halt the procedure for this mandate to allow more consideration to be given to the objectives and the content of the standard. The proposed text was incomplete and contradictory, and it was essential to rectify these shortcomings. Furthermore, some reasonable explanation needed to be given of how ladders, which were the subject of the mandate, were to be excluded from use in any type of work activity. The Committee was willing to help the Commission to revise the draft mandate, if revision was requested.

The Committee unanimously adopted this draft opinion on 27 October 1999.

2.2.5. Opinion on the CEN study carried out at the request of the European Commission on the feasibility of a guide to the selection of personal protective equipment. (Document No 6224/1/98)

The Committee expressed doubts over the usefulness of additional general guidance, particularly for SMEs, while conceding that such guidance would have to be easily accessible and comprehensible.

The development of guidance specific to an occupational sector or type of job could be taken forward on a pilot basis in two or three sectors, selected on the basis of clearly identified and specific PPE selection problems.

The Committee strongly supported the recommendations made by the working group that, during future revisions, careful attention should be paid to the number of classes of protection as a function of the different potential levels of risk and the likely conditions of use of PPE.

The Committee adopted the draft opinion on 6 May 1999.

2.2.6. Opinion on a first list of indicative occupational exposure limit values (Document No 6037/1/98)

The draft opinion was concerned with establishing a list, to be indicative in character, of occupational exposure limit values for 63 chemical agents.

The Committee adopted the draft opinion on 6 May 1999.

2.2.7. Opinion on safety and health protection for self-employed workers. (Document No 6227/2/98).

This Opinion was inspired by the remarkable growth of self-employment in many European countries as part of a wider change in the structure of employment, with companies shedding jobs and outsourcing many tasks to very small firms and self-employed workers, which creates new safety problems. Moreover, such workers are often not covered by applicable health and safety legislation although they face the same risks as employees doing the same work. The Committee thus felt that a Community initiative on the protection of the health and safety of such workers was needed.

The Committee adopted the draft opinion on 6 May 1999.

2.2.8. Opinion of the Committee on the draft work programme for the Bilbao Agency for 2000

As stipulated in the Regulation establishing the Bilbao Agency, the draft work programme of the Agency for 2000 prepared by its Director was put before the Committee before being submitted to the Agency's Administrative Board. The views expressed by the interest Groups in the presence of the Agency's Director may be summed up as follows:

Having read the programme for the year 2000, workers' and employers' groups noted - once again this year, although the improvements are noticeable - the ambitious nature of the programme presented while the defined and accepted objective would appear to be to limit new projects and finalise those underway.

These two groups manifested their opposition to the any awarding of prizes by the Agency, particularly as part of the European Week. They were also united in their criticism of the imprecise and nebulous nature of the "voluntary agreements" project and in their calls for their needs and comments to be taken more into consideration during management meetings; the work of the agency should rely more heavily on effective collaboration between the social partners.

The absence of a link between the Agency and the Committee was noted; improved communication would be an asset.

The employers' group called for the Agency to extend its network and to collect data concerning those countries applying for membership of the European Union.

Finally, the governmental delegation expressed concern over the transfer of responsibility from the Commission to the Agency and thence to the governments of the Member States. The latter were overwhelmed by requests from the Agency, and the government delegation wished these transfers to become lighter and more transparent.

3. ACTIVITIES OF THE AD HOC GROUPS/END-OF-YEAR STRUCTURE

3.1. Ad hoc Groups active in 1999 and continuing their activities in 2000

3.1.1. Planning

The Planning group met on four occasions in 1999 to prepare the new mandates and organise and monitor the work of the groups.

3.1.2. Standardisation

The activities of this Group are of an ongoing nature. The Committee instructs the Group to study standardisation mandates as and when they are submitted by the Commission to the various standardisation organisations. The Group also deals with general problems relating to health and safety at work in the context of standardisation.

The Group met twice in 1999 and discussed nine draft standardisation mandates. It asked the Commission in future to request its opinion in sufficient time and, in any case, before conferring the mandates on the standardisation organisations.

3.1.3. Occupational exposure levels

This group met on three occasions in 1999 and drew up a draft opinion on a proposed Commission directive establishing a first, indicative, list of occupational exposure limit values in accordance with Council Directive 98/24/EC on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work. The annex to this proposal includes in particular the lists of chemical agents from Commission Directive 96/94/EC, as well as a number of substances for which the Scientific Committee (SCOEL) has recommended an indicative occupational exposure limit value.

The draft opinion was presented to the Advisory Committee, which adopted it on 6 May 1999. The Directive is scheduled to be adopted during 2000.

The group also started work on a second list of indicative limit values.

The Group's activities will continue in 2000.

3.1.4. Multidisciplinary protective and preventive services/Health surveillance at work

This is an amalgamation of two previous Groups, the terms of reference of which were confirmed in November 1996.

The aim of this Group is to investigate the problems encountered and the experience acquired in setting up multidisciplinary protective and preventive services for employees in all sectors, industries and undertakings, public or private.

A further task of the Group is to analyse how health monitoring of workers is carried out in the various Member States.

The group met twice in 1999. Work is at an advanced stage and is expected to be completed in 2000.

3.1.5. Prevention of violence at work

Created on 29 October 1997, this group met once in 1999. It is charged with preparing the Committee's opinion on the draft recommendations submitted by the Commission and on any actions which might prove necessary at European level. It appears that violence is a growing problem but hidden and underestimated, and reliable statistics are rare. The members of the group are collecting studies and good practice on this subject with a view to drawing up a draft opinion.

3.1.6. Committee restructuring (Planning group)

This group did not meet to discuss this subject in 1999.

3.1.7. Report on the operation of the Bilbao Agency

This group did not meet in 1999.

3.1.8. Musculo-skeletal disorders

This group met once in 1999. It is charged with drafting an opinion on possible Community action to prevent musculo-skeletal disorders at work; these disorders, which are increasingly frequent, lead to high levels of incapacity for work, with serious economic consequences.

3.2. Creation of working groups in 1999

The Committee created five working groups and adopted their mandates.

Groups created on 6 May 1999:

- Asbestos (document No 0306/1/99)

- The task of this group is to prepare an opinion of the Advisory Committee on a proposal for a Council Directive amending for the second time Directive 83/477/EEC, with the aim of refocusing protective measures on those who are now most at risk, ensuring adequate risk assessment, preventing and minimising exposure and revising the exposure limits.

- Reports (document No 0136/1/99)

- The task of this group is to prepare a methodology to enable the Committee to deliver the opinions requested from it by the Commission in connection with the latter's obligation to submit reports to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee.

- Guidelines Chemical Agents Directive (document No 0307/2/99)

- The mandate of this group is to develop a draft opinion on a guideline document on the topics mentioned in Articles 3, 4, 5 and 6 and in Annex II, section 1, of Council Directive 98/24/EC.

- Musculo-skeletal disorders (document No 0303/99)

- The task of this Ad hoc Group is to prepare an opinion of the Advisory Committee on possible Community action concerning prevention of Musculo-skeletal disorders at work.

- Report on the functioning of the Agency (document No 0305/99).

- The task of this Ad hoc Group is to prepare an opinion of the Advisory Committee on the report to be established by the European Commission, accompanied if appropriate by a proposal for reviewing the Regulation establishing the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

3.3. Disbandment of ad hoc Groups

The Commission decided to disband three Groups whose work had been completed.

3.3.1. Implementation of directives

This group, created on 6 May, met once in 1999 (see point 3.2 above).

On 27/10/99 the draft opinion was adopted and the group disbanded.

3.3.2. Self-employed workers

This group was created to study the draft "proposal for a Council recommendation concerning the application of legislation for the safety and health at work of self-employed workers" (document 0522/96).

On 6/5/99 the draft opinion was adopted and the group disbanded.

3.3.3. Machinery

The task of this group, created on 29/10/97, was to prepare an opinion of the Advisory Committee on the draft directive concerning the harmonisation of Member State legislation on machinery. To this end, the social partners participated, one member per group, in the work initiated by DG III. This group met on three occasions in 1999.

The draft opinion was adopted and the group disbanded during the meeting of 27 October 1999.

4. COOPERATION WITH OTHER BODIES

4.1. Safety and Health Commission

The main tasks of the Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and Other Extractive Industries (SHCMOEI) are to monitor developments in the field of safety and health in the extractive industries, to submit to the governments of the Member States practical proposals for improving safety and health protection at the workplace and to foster exchanges of useful information.

Since 1994 representatives of the SHCMOEI have attended meetings of the Committee as observers. Similarly, representatives of the Committee are invited to the plenary meetings of the SHCMOEI, with each interest Group sending two observers. This process ensures more effective dissemination of information between these two bodies. Although they clearly share areas of common interest, the two bodies are largely perceived as separate entities. The SHCMOEI is essentially a technically orientated body which deals with safety problems inherent in the extractive industries. Technical aspects constitute a key element of its work, whereas the Committee is also qualified to discuss fundamental issues of safety and health at work.

4.2. Senior Labour Inspectors' Committee

Created by Commission Decision 95/315/EC of 12 July 1995, the Senior Labour Inspectors' Committee is composed of two representatives of the labour inspection services from each Member State and is chaired by a representative of the Commission.

The Committee submits an annual report on its activities to the Commission, with particular reference to any problem relating to the enforcement or monitoring of secondary Community legislation in the field of health and safety at work. The Commission forwards the report to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work.

4.3. Scientific Committee for Occupational Exposure Limits to Chemical Agents

Set up in response to a request from the Council by Commission Decision 95/320/EC of 12 July 1995, this scientific committee is required to examine the health effects of chemical agents on workers at work. Its activities are monitored by the Advisory Committee and, more particularly, by the occupational exposure levels Group in connection with the preparation of its opinions on draft proposals for directives adopting occupational exposure limits in accordance with Directive 98/24/EEC.

4.4. Social partners

A representative of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) and a member of the Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe (UNICE) are invited to attend the meetings of the Committee.

4.5. Trade Union Technical Bureau

The European Trade Union Technical Bureau for health and safety (TUTB) was set up in 1989 by the ETUC as a vehicle for keeping close track of the technical work carried out by the standardisation organisations. Backed by the European Parliament, which allocated a budget heading in 1989, the TUTB signed a multiannual agreement with the Commission in the same year. It conducts studies and supplies information tying in closely with European harmonisation and standardisation work in the field of safety and health at the workplace and with the Committee's standardisation Group. A representative of the TUTB is invited to attend the Committee's meetings.

4.6. International Labour Office

A representative of the ILO is invited to meetings of the Committee.

4.7. European Foundation

A representative of the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions is invited to meetings of the Committee and presents, amongst other things, the Foundation's work programme.

4.8. Bilbao European Agency

Under the Decision establishing the Agency, the Committee is consulted on its annual work programme and receives a copy of its annual report.

ANNEX A

COUNCIL DECISION

LEGAL BASIS

(Extract)

Council Decision of 27 June 1974 on the setting up of an Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work (extracts):

The Council of the European Communities (...)Whereas a standing body should be envisaged to assist the Commission in the preparation and implementation of activities in the fields of safety, hygiene and health protection at work and to facilitate cooperation between national administrations, trade unions and employers' organisations ...

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS

Article 1

An Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work (hereinafter called the "Committee") is hereby established.

Article 2

The Committee shall have the task of assisting the Commission in the preparation and implementation of activities in the fields of safety, hygiene and health protection at work.

Article 3

(1) The Committee shall produce an annual report on its activities.

(2) The Commission shall forward that report to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Consultative Committee of the European Coal and Steel Community.

Article 4

(1) The Committee shall consist of (.) full members, there being for each Member State two representatives of the Government, two representatives of trade unions and two representatives of employers' organisations.

(2) An alternate member shall be appointed for each full member. (....)

(3) Full members and alternate members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Council which, in respect of representatives of trade unions and employers' associations, shall endeavour to achieve a fair balance in the composition of the Committee between the various economic sectors concerned.

(4) The list of the full members and alternate members shall be published by the Council in the Official Journal of the European Communities for information purposes.

Article 5

The term of office of full members and alternate members shall be three years. Their appointments shall be renewable.

Article 6

(1) The Committee shall be chaired by a member of the Commission or, where such member is prevented from so doing and as an exception, by a Commission official to be nominated by him. The Chairman shall not vote.

(2) The Committee shall meet when convened by the Chairman, either at the latter's initiative or at the request of at least one-third of its members.

(3) The Committee may establish working parties under the chairmanship of a Committee member. They shall submit the results of their proceedings in the form of a report at a meeting of the Committee.

(4) Representatives of the Commission's departments concerned shall participate in meetings of the Committee and of working parties. Secretarial services shall be provided for the Committee and for working parties by the Commission.

Article 7

An opinion delivered by the Committee shall not be valid unless two-thirds of its members are present.

Article 8

The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure, which shall enter into force after the Council, having received an opinion from the Commission, has given its approval."

ANNEX B

B2 - COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE in 1999

I. GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES

a) Full members

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b) Alternate members

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II. WORKERS' REPRESENTATIVES

a) Full members

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b) Alternate members

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III. EMPLOYERS' REPRESENTATIVES

a) Full members

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b) Alternate members

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ANNEX C

LIST OF AD HOC GROUPS - 1998

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Responsible officials: E. ROTHER - Tel. 32268 E. DELAVAL Tel: 32781

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Official responsible: E. ROTHER - Tel. 32268 - A. LOMRSL - Tel. 33871

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Official responsible: A. Fuente - Tel. 32739

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Responsible official: A. Angelidis - Tel. 33747

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Official responsible: Dr ALVAREZ - Tel. 34547

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Official responsible: Dr ALVAREZ - Tel. 34547

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Officials responsible: Mrs T. MOITINHO - Tel. 34831 - Mr R. JUNGHANNS - Tel. 32967

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Official responsible: Mr A. ANGELIDIS- Tel. 33747

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Official responsible: Dr LOMRSL - Tel. 33871

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Official responsible: Dr. ALVAREZ - Tel. 34547 - Dr ARESINI - Tel 32260

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Official responsible: Mrs H. VAN LOON - Tel. 32034; E. ROTHER - Tel: 32278

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Official responsible: Dr ARESINI - Tel. 32260

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Official responsible: E. ROTHER - Tel. 32268

ANNEX D

TIMETABLE 1999

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(*observers from the SHCMOEI, the ILO, the Bilbao Agency and the Dublin Foundation are invited to the plenary meetings.)