COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
COM (89) 197 final 
Brussels, 28 April 1989 
TWELFTH PROGRESS REPORT OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
ON SAFETY, HYGIENE AND HEALTH 
PROTECTION AT WORK 
- PERIOD 1987 -
(presented by the Commission) 
-1. 
CONTENTS 
- Legal basis 
II - General remarks 
a) Membership of the Committee 
b) Structure 
c) Number of meetings and number of meeting days 
1975/1987 
III - Activities 
a) Summary 
b) Detailed description 
c) Other activities 
IV - Analysis of work (1987) 
V - Annexes 
I - List of members of the Committee (1985-1988) 
II - Composition of the ad hoc groups 1987 
III - Structure of the Committee 
- 3-
I. LEGAL BASIS 
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 field of safety, hygiene and health 
protection at work and to facilitate cooperation between 
national administrations, trade unions and employer's 
organizations ... 
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS : 
Article 1 : 
An Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health 
Protection at Work is hereby extablished. 
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 Committe 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". 
-»)-. 
II- GENERAL REMARKS 
a) Membership of the Committee 
Individual movements : 
- Mr. GREENDALE, UK, full member of the "Workers" 
group, replaced by Mrs. MADDOCKS, Council Decision 
of 9.02.1987; 
- Mr. HAMILTON, UK, alternate member of the "Workers" 
group, replaced by Mr. COYLE, Council Decision of 
9.02.1987; 
- Mr. BUCKTON, UK, alternate member of the "Workers" 
group, replaced by Mr. TUFFIN, Council Decision of 
9.02.1987; 
- Mr. H. F. WOLFF, D, full member of the "Government 
Representatives" group, replaced by Mr. GIESEN, 
Council Decision of 16.03.1987; 
- Mr. BRANIGAN, IRL, full member of the "Workers" 
group, replaced by Mrs. O'DONOVAN, Council Decision 
of 9.06.1987; 
- Mrs. CHRISTENSEN, DK, full member of the "Workers" 
group, replaced by Mrs. EBERHARD, Council Decision 
of 23.07.1987; 
- Mr. DENONNE, B, full member of the "Government 
Representatives" group, replaced by Mr. DE GREVE, 
Council Decision of 14.09.1987; 
- Mr. DE GREVE, B, alternate member of the 
"Government Representatives" group, replaced by Mr. 
LEHOUCQ, Council Decision of 14.09.1987. 
- 5-
b) Structure 
- Seven ad hoc groups carried on their work (see 
Annex II for the terms of reference and membership 
of each of these groups). 
- The Intermediate Group (membership shown at Annex 
III) held two meetings during the year. 
Minutes of the meeting of 23.2.87, Doc. No 
V/LUX/7190/87. 
Minutes of the meeting of 3.11.87, Doc. No 
V/LUX/8183/87. 
- Pursuant to a Commission Decision of 10 November 
1987 the Committee's secretariat became a sector of 
activity in its own right and, as such, now appears 
for the first time in the Commission's official 
Directory. 
PERIOD 75-87 
50 
40 
30 
20 -
10 
1 1 1 T 
1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 r 
D NUMBER OF MEETINGS ER OF MEETING DAYS 
. £-
III. ACTIVITIES 
a) Summary 
Opinions delivered 
1) Pathogens. 
2) Draft Directive on machines (technical 
harmonization and placing on the market). 
3) Draft Directives on the technical harmonization, 
placing on the market and use of personal 
protective equipment. 
4) Third Programme of Action on Safety and Health 
at Work. 
5) Occupational health. 
Activities of the ad hoc groups 
6) Ad hoc Group on Occupational Diseases. 
7) Ad hoc Group on Carcinogens. 
Other activities 
8) Meeting of the Intermediate Group. 
9) Extension of the Committee's terms of reference 
to cover nuclear safety. 
10) Information activités. 
-?-
b) Detailed description 
1) Pathogens 
The Committee delivered a favourable opinion on 
the draft produced by the ad hoc group 
concerning the protection of workers against the 
risks arising from exposure to microbiological 
agents at work. The Committee considered only 
the technical questions and delivered an opinion 
indicating what the content of a draft directive 
in this field should be. The Commission took the 
Committee's observations into account in its 
preparation of the draft Directive. 
2) Directive on machines (technical harmonization 
and placing on the market). 
The Committee delivered a favourable opinion on the draft 
prepared by the ad hoc group. The group was able 
to follow the work of DG III (Internal Market 
and Industrial Affairs) throughout the 
preparation of this Directive and to have a say 
in the drafting of the text. 
3) DrafÇ Directive on the technical harmonization. 
placing on the market and use of personal 
protective ecruipment. 
The Committee adopted the ad hoc group's draft 
opinion. The fact that the group had followed DG 
Ill's work in this field meant that it was able 
to prepare the opinions on the DG V proposal and 
the DG III proposal in parallel. The group's 
work is now completed. 
-tf-
4) Third Programme of Action on Safety and Health 
at Work. 
The Advisory Committee held an extraordinary 
meeting in order to be able to deliver an 
opinion on the Third Programme of Action within 
the time-limit allowed. A joint opinion was 
adopted by the Committee, to which were added 
three supplementary opinions delivered by the 
interest groups. 
5) Occupational health 
At the November meeting the Committee delivered 
a favourable opinion on the section relating to 
the function of the services responsible for 
health surveillance. The ad hoc group will 
continue its work on the "organization" section 
taking into account the draft Directive on the 
introduction of measures to encourage 
improvements in the safety and health of workers 
at the workplace. 
6) Ad hoc Group on Occupational Diseases 
The ad hoc group has not yet completed its work 
on the European list of occupational diseases. 
The experts having produced a new list, this 
will need to be verified and commented on, if 
necessary, by the members of the group. 
The draft recommendation will also be reviewed 
by the ad hoc group during 1988. 
The group's work should be completed in the 
course of 1988. 
7) Ad hoc Group on Carcinogens 
The Committee adopted the draft opinion prepared 
by the ad hoc group describing the strategy to 
be followed with regard to the protection of 
workers against carcinogens. 
- 3-
The Commission took account of this opinion when 
preparing the draft Council Directive (OJ C 34 
of 8 February 1988). The ad hoc group will 
continue its work, specifically with a view to 
defining the procedure to be followed for 
incorporating other carcinogenic agents into the 
draft Directive. 
- </o-
Other activities 
8) Intermediate Group. 
At its meeting on 23.2.1987 the Intermediate 
Group heard the reports of the chairmen of each 
ad hoc group and examined proposals for the 
creation of new groups. On the basis of this, it 
drew up the draft agenda and established the 
programme for the plenary meeting. The extension 
of the activities of the Committee to cover the 
radiation protection of workers was also 
discussed at the plenary meeting held on 2 and 3 
July 1987. 
9) Extension of the Committee's terms of reference 
to cover nuclear safety. 
The aim of this extension is to make good the 
lack of consultation between workers and 
employers, within the framework of a standing 
advisory committee on protection of workers 
against ionizing radiation. 
At its plenary meeting on 4 and 5 November the 
Committee delivered a favourable opinion on this 
amendment to the internal regulations. The 
members of the Committee wanted the wording of 
the amendment to specify "ionizing radiation at 
the workplace" so as to encompass all places 
where workers are threatened by radiation. 
Furthermore, the Committee stressed that the 
financial and documentary resources needed for 
the new activities entailed by this Decision 
should be made available. 
- -/-I -
The Commission proposed an amendment to the 
Council Decision (1) on the setting up of the 
Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health 
Protection at Work, designed to extend its 
present terms of reference to radiation 
protection. 
(1) OJ L 185 Of 9.7.74. 
-*4. 
IV. ANALYSIS OP WORK 
1 - 1987 saw a further intensification of the 
Committee's activités. 
The intensification can be expressed in quantitative 
terms : 40 days of meetings compared with 23 in 
1986, and 23 meetings compared with 15 in 1986. 
There were three plenary meetings of the Committee. 
This is the highest number of meetings held by the 
Committee since its establishment in 1974 (see Table 
on page ). 
2 - The increase in activity is mainly attributable to 
the implementation of Article 118 A of the Single 
Act ( 1), and in particular to the adoption of the 
"Commission Communication on its programme 
concerning safety, hygiene and health at work" (2). 
This Communication demonstrates the Commission's 
wish to exploit rapidly all the resources opened up 
by this legal provision in order to reinforce the 
social aspect of completion of the internal market. 
To show the importance of this action, the Council, 
at its meeting of 2 December 1987, adopted a 
Resolution on Safety, Hygiene and Health at Work 
(3). 
(1) see 11th Progress Report, section IV (c). 
(2) OJ C 28 of 3 February 1988, p. 
(3) OJ C 28 of 3 February 1988, p. 
~-/3-
3 - The Committee was informed of this new programme of 
work at its 20th plenary meeting held on 3 and 4 
July (1) and the text of the Commission's 
communication to the Council was formally submitted 
to the Committee for its opinion at the 21st plenary 
meeting held on 8 and 9 September 1987, which was 
convened specifically for that purpose. 
This was the map or event of the year, judging by the 
fundamental discussions it provoked and the 
consequences it had on the Committee's working 
methods. 
4 - Despite the extremely short deadlines the Committee 
analysed the Commission's communication methodically 
and delivered a joint opinion to which each interest 
group added its own observations (2). 
5 - In drafting this opinion the Committee proved its 
ability to react rapidly to Commission initiatives 
in difficult circumstances and justified its role as 
a crucial forum for the social dialogue, as 
recognized in the Commission's communication and the 
Council Resolution. 
6 - At the same meeting the working methods were 
questioned and clarified. The situation now is that 
the Committe must give its opinion on all the 
proposals produced by various departments of the 
Commission concerning the safety and health of 
workers. 
(1) see minutes of the 20th plenary meeting (Doc. 
V/LUX/7635/87). 
(2) see minutes of the 21st plenary meeting (Doc. 
V/LUX/7639/87). 
-'y-
7 - The Committee will need to adjust its structures 
and its working methods in order to adapt to 
this new situation, the main features of which 
are : 
- the high number of documents to be examined, 
- the technical and scientific nature of the 
documents, 
- the very short time allowed for an opinion to 
be delivered. 
This matter will be discussed during the 
forthcoming year. 
8 - In general, the Committee can be considered to 
have fulfilled its function, which is to assist 
the Commission in defining and pursuing its 
activities in this field. 
In so doing, it has confirmed the crucial role 
which it plays in the social dialogue desired by 
the Commission in the preparation of its 
decisions. 
9 - As regards the extension of the Committee's 
terms of reference to cover the Euratom Treaty, 
the dossier was placed before the Working Party 
on Social Questions at the meeting of 22 June 
1987, and then COREPER on 3 November 1987; the 
formal final decision must be taken by the 
Council, wich has yet to be presented with the 
dossier. 
10 - Finally, at its 21st meeting the Committee paid 
tribute to M. BENNETT, who has requested a 
transfer to another department in the 
Commission. The Director-General, Mr. DEGIMBE, 
thanked Mr. BENNETT warmly, emphasizing the 
value of the scientific work which had been 
performed and the quality of the human 
relationships which had prevailed during Mr. 
BENNETT'S time with the Health and Safety 
Directorate• 
- 1f-ANNEX I 
List of full and alternate aeabers of the 
Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at liork 
(OJ C 355 of 31.12.85 and OJ C 296 of 22.11.86) 
(for the period 17 December 1985 to 16 December 1988) 
I. GOVERNEMENT REPRESENTATIVES 
a) Full members 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Spain 
Greece 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
U.K. Mr G. BENS 
Mr H. GROVE 
Mr M. NOTHLICHS 
Mr C. VASILOPOULOS 
Mr J. BRUN 
Mrs MR 0*CALLAGHAN 
Mr N. FIORE 
Mr A. SCHUSTER 
Mr A.J. DE ROOS 
Mrs J. da E. PINTO NARVXo 
Mr A.B. MARTIN Mr J.M. DE GREVE 
Mr E. ANDERSEN 
Mr T. GIESEN 
Mrs H. GEORGOPOULOU 
Mr M. LAROQUE 
Mr T. WALSH 
Mr A. FREDELLA 
M N. RUME 
Mr E.H. SICCAMA 
Mr A.A. VAREJÂO CASTELO 
BRANCO de SOUSA 
Mr CD. BURGESS 
b) Alternates 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Spain 
Greece 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal 
U.K. Mr A. LEHOUCQ 
Mrs C. SKJ0LDA6ER 
Mr R. OPFERMANN 
Mrs A. KAFETZOPOULOU 
Mr A. ERNST 
Mr B. NEVILLE 
Mrs G. ROCCA 
Mr M. GLODT 
Mr I.L. RIKMENSPOEL 
Mr C. CARDOSO PINTO 
Mrs P.G. CATTO Mr P. CAJOT 
Mr K. OVERGAARD-HANSEN 
Mr K. HORNEFFER 
Mr A. ZORBAS 
Mr G. ROBERT 
M T. O'BRIEN 
Mr M. 6UERRIERI 
Mr J.P. DEMUTH 
Mr C.J. VOS 
Mr E. PESTAMA MARQUES 
Mr J.T. CARTER 
II. WORKERS• REPRESENTATIVES 
a) Full members 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Spain 
Greece 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Portugal Mr P. SILON 
nr s. omoM 
Mr R. KONSTANTY 
Nr S. LAINOS 
Nr N. MARTIN 
Mrs 0*DONOVAN 
Mr L. LELI 
Nr R. NUREMBERG 
Nr E.R. BUNT 
Nr J.M.LEITXO RIBEIRO 
ARENGA Mr P.-P. MAETER 
Mrs S. EBERHARD 
Mr H. PARTIKEL 
Mrs L. VASSILAKOU 
Mr R. GUEVEL 
Nr D. 0'SULLIVAN 
Mrs R. TOMASSINI 
Mr A. GROBEN 
M D. VAN DE KAMP 
Nr N.A. CABRAL SARAMA60 
FERREIRA 
U.K. Mrs A. HADDOCKS Mr P. JACQUES 
--/tf-
b) Alternates 
Belgium Mr S. KENNES Mr G. HAAZE 
Denmark Mr 0. HEEGAARD Mrs K.L. SVANHOLT 
Germany Mr K. HINNE Nr W. EGELKRAUT 
Spain 
Greece Mr G. CHRISTODOULOU Mr A. YERANIOS 
France Mr M. SATU Mr M. SEDES 
Ireland Nr N. O'HALLORAN Nr P. KEATING 
Italy Nr C. STANZANI Nrs C. BRIGHI 
Luxembourg Nr H. DUNKEL Nr A. GIARDIN 
Netherlands Nr H.P.W. SCHMITZ Mr U.W. NULLER 
Portugal Mr J. do DIAS GONCALVES Nr A. TAVARES 
U.K. Nr A. TUFFIN Nr R. COYLE 
III. EMPLOYERS' REPRESENTATIVES 
a) Full members 
Belgium Nr A. CORDY 
Denmark Nr M. KJENS FALK 
Germany Mr J.-D. VON HASSELL 
Spain 
Greece Nr I. TSAMOUSSOPOULOS 
France Nr J.P. PEYRICAL 
Ireland Nr A.F. RICE 
Italy Nr F. GIUSTI 
Luxembourg Mr R. FERRY 
Netherlands Nr A.N. DEN BOER 
Portugal Nr N. de LIMA AMORIM 
U.K. Mrs A.N. NACKIE 
b) Alternates 
Belgium Mr J. BORMANS 
Denmark Nr K. LINIUS 
Germany Mr E. HOLLER 
Spain 
Greece Nr A. KALDIS 
France Nrs V. CORMAN 
Ireland Nrs C. CARROLL 
Italy Nr T. GARLANDA 
Luxembourg Mr VANDERDONCKT 
Netherlands Nr N.P.H. KORTEN 
Portugal Nrs J. ROLA ROQUE 
United Kingdom Mr R.F. EBERLIE Mr R. LEONARD 
Nr T. JEPSEN 
Mr U. BOSHAGEN 
Mr E. ZIHALIS 
Mr J. TASSIN 
Nr y.H. O'CONNOR 
Nr E. BUSSETTI 
Nr P. OLINGER 
Nrs C. DE NEESTER 
Nr J.H.L. da COSTA TAVARES 
Nr P.J. DAVIS 
Nr P.J. HARDY 
Nr P.S. TALPERG 
Mr P. HARTMANN 
Nr B. VGONTZAS 
Mr A. JEROME 
Nr M. CASSIDY 
Nr A. SCARFINI 
Nr R. BEFFORT 
Nr N.J. STENSTRA 
Nr N.6. TEVES COSTA 
Nrs F.E. WEBSTER 
AD HOC GROUPS - 1987 
Title of the 
Ad hoc Group Carcinogenic 
Agents Occupational 
Diseases 
(cont.) Safety: 
Technical 
Aspects Safety: 
Organization and 
Information Pathogenic 
Agents Occupational 
Health 
Services 
Terms of 
reference Determination of 
the policy for 
carcinogenic 
agents Updating of the 
list of 
occupational 
diseases (Recs 62 
ft 66) Machines 
(DG III) Framework 
DirectiveiSafety Protective mea­
sures necessary 
for workers in 
the field of 
biotechnology 
and measures 
against harmful 
pathogens Organization 
of health 
surveillance 
in labour 
policy 
Membership 
- Chairman 
- Govt.members Bormans (Empl.BE) 
Palk (UK) 
Klein (DE 
Roelfzema (NL) 
(Expert) Cordy (Empl. -
BE) 
Cottermant (BE) 
Frtdtlla (IT) 
Georgopoulou (GR). 
(Expert) 
- Workers*reps 
- Empl. reps. Coyle (UK) 
Heegaard (DK) 
Konstanty (DE) 
Si Ion (Expert) 
Garlanda (IT) 
Hartmann (DE) 
Chairman *BE) 
Aubrun (Expertx Leli (IT) 
Martin (FR) 
Nurenberg (LX) 
O'Sullivan 
(Expert) 
Chairman 
Grunnet 
Huiler (BE) 
(DK) 
(DE) 
Fauchois (Expert) 
DG V/E 
Official Aresini 
C4/117 
Tel:2260 Hunter 
C4/113 
Tel: 2719 Jean (Gov. FR) 
Chairman 
Birden (L) 
Van Hyfte (BE) 
De Jong (Expert) HornefferCGov.-
DE) 
Chairman 
Nevikle (IrJ 
Sheye 
Nuyts (DKÏ 
(Expert! Clare (Empl.UK) 
Svane (DK) 
Fredella (IT) 
Ager (UK) 
Kennes (BE) 
Sedes (FR) 
Stanzanl (IT) 
Sapir 
(Expert) 
Léonard (BE) 
Giusti (IT) 
Peyrical (FR) 
Griffiths (Exp.) 
Berlin 
C4/85 
Tel:2724 Guevel 
Kennes 
Stanzani 
Schmitz' (FR] 
(BE] 
(IT] 
(Expert) Konstanty (DE) 
Brighi (IT) 
Owen (UK) 
Sapi r 
(Expert) 
Peyrical (FRJj Mauler 
Rice (IR 
Tsamousopoulos (GR]| 
Chairman 
Giusti (Experti 
Goemiime 
C4/80 
Tel: 2697 (DE) 
Aubrun (FR) 
Chairman (UK) 
Malher (Exp.) Silon(Worker 
BE) 
Buma (NL) 
De Greve(BE) 
Wood (IRL) 
Chairman 
Partikel(DE) 
Schmitz (NL) 
Bogh 
(Expert) 
Cardoso 
C4/115 
Tel:2313 Mackie (UK) 
Linius.(DK) 
Giusti (IT) 
Givelet 
(expert) 
Aresini 
C4/117 
Tel: 2260 
AD HOC GROUPS 1987 
' I1 ' ' • • Ill • I ! .1 II III I I I • I • I • . . „ 
Title of the Personal protective 
Ad hoc Group equipment 
Terms of 
reference 
Membership 
- Chairman Tsamoussopoulos(Empl. 
GR) 
- Govt.members Wall (IR) 
Buckley (UK) 
Mertens (DE) 
Overgaard-Hansen 
(Expert) 
- Workers'reps. Batista (PO) 
Kienappel (DE) 
Sedes (FR) 
Sapir t (Expert) 
- Empl. reps. Chairwan 
Leonard (BE) 
Giusti (IT) 
Claire (Expert) 
"DG"V7E Gowi nne 
Official C4/97 
Tel:2697 
i L 1 ..._ 
49-
Annexe/Annex/Anlage III 
Structure du Comité 
Structure of the Committee 
Struktur des Ausschusses 
M. Manuel MARIN, 
Vice-president de la Commission des Communautés Européennes -
Vicoprésident of the Commission of the European Communities -
Vileprasident der Kommission der Europaischen Gemeinschaften 
Président du Comité -
Chairman of the Committee -
Vorsitzender des Ausschusses 
Dr. E. BENNETT (1.1.1987 - 31.7.1987) 
Directeur - Director - Direktor V/E 
bureau, office, Bùro : C4/74 
tél., Tel. : 2705 
Dr. tt. HUNTER (1.8.1987 - 31.12.1987) 
Directeur f.f. - Director acting - Direktor 1.V. V/E 
bureau, office, Buro : C4/113 
tél., Tel. : 2719 
M. Y. MORETTINI 
Secrétaire du Comité - Secretary of the Committee -
Sexretar des Ausschusses 
bureau, office, Buro : C4/70 
tél., Tel. : 2737 
M. A. GAUTHIER 
Assistent, Assistant 
bureau, office, Buro : C4/78 
tél., Tel. : 2802 
Mme N. VAN RIEL-PLOKKER 
Secrétariat du Comité - Secretariat of the Committee -
Sekretariat des Ausschusses 
bureau, office, Buro : C4/80 
tél., Tel. : 234S 

Commission of the European Communities 
COM(89) 197 final 
Twelfth progress report of the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene 
and Hearth Protection at Work (period 1987) 
(presented by the Commission) 
28.4.1989 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
L - 2985 Luxembourg 
Series: DOCUMENTS 
1989 - 20 pp. - Format: 21.0 * 29.7 cm 
EN 
ISSN 0254-1475 
ISBN 92-77-49246-5 
Catalogue number: CB-C0-89-168-EN-C 
ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(89) 197 final 
DOCUMENTS 
Twelfth progress report of the Advisory 
Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health 
Protection at Work (period 1987) 
(presented by the Commission) 
05 
Catalogue number: CB-CO-89-168-EN-C 
ISBN 92-77-49246-5 28.4.1989 
€ 
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES