ARCHIVESHISTORIQUES
DELACOMMISSION
COLLECTION RELIEEDES
DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM(80)370
Vol.1980/0134

Disclaimer
Conformément aurèglement(CEE,Euratom)n°354/83duConseildu1erfévrier1983
concernantl'ouvertureaupublicdesarchiveshistoriquesdelaCommunauté économique
européenne etdelaCommunauté européenne del'énergieatomique(JOL43du15.2.1983,
p.1),telquemodifiéparlerèglement(CE,Euratom)n°1700/2003du22septembre2003
(JOL243du27.9.2003,p.1),cedossierestouvertaupublic.Lecaséchéant,lesdocuments
classifiésprésentsdanscedossierontétédéclassifiés conformément àl'article5dudit
règlement.
Inaccordance withCouncilRegulation(EEC,Euratom)No354/83of1February1983
concerningtheopeningtothepublicofthehistoricalarchivesoftheEuropeanEconomic
Community andtheEuropeanAtomicEnergyCommunity (OJL43,15.2.1983,p.1),as
amendedbyRegulation(EC,Euratom)No1700/2003of22September2003(OJL243,
27.9.2003,p.1),thisfileisopentothepublic.Wherenecessary,classifieddocuments inthis
filehavebeendeclassified inconformitywithArticle5oftheaforementioned regulation.
InÜbereinstimmung mitderVerordnung(EWG,Euratom)Nr.354/83desRatesvom1.
Februar1983überdieFreigabederhistorischen ArchivederEuropäischen
Wirtschaftsgemeinschaft undderEuropäischen Atomgemeinschaft (ABI.L43vom15.2.1983,
S.1),geändertdurchdieVerordnung (EG,Euratom)Nr.1700/2003vom22.September2003
(ABI.L243vom27.9.2003,S.1),istdieseDateiderÖffentlichkeit zugänglich.Soweit
erforderlich,wurdendieVerschlusssachen indieserDateiinÜbereinstimmung mitArtikel5
dergenanntenVerordnungfreigegeben.

COMMISSION OFTHEEUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
COM(80)370 final
Brussels-3rdJuly1980
FOURTHPROGRESS REPORT
OFTHEADVISORY COMMITTEE ONSAFETY,HYGIENE
ANDHEALTHPROTECTION ATWORK
(PERIOD:1979)
/.%-a\JL-v -w' >•lMr-\
ei>ac^.-rH
Λ^
COM(80)370final

CONTENTS
n . . vsge
l
0.Introduction ...... ... 3
1.Memoersnip oftheCommittee ,Working Parties and
"Restricted Group " .. 4
2.Structure andoperation .................... 5
2.0 .Structure .* 5
2.1 .Role andfunctions oftheCommittee ..... 5
2.2 .Attendance atmeetings .. 6
2.3 .Alternates and .experts fortheWorking Parties 6
2.4 .Preparatory meetings 7
-2.5 »Status oftheCommittee 7
inrelation to : - .
2.5.0 .TheCommission' sDGV 7
2.5.1 ..The Commission' sDGIII' .■7
2.5.2 .TheDublin Foundation ,..; -8
3.Meetings 9
4.Activities ofthe Committee 11
4«0 .General matters 11
"4.1 .Action programme 1 12
4.2 .Opinions andproposals requested by .theCommission .. 13
4-2.0 .Framework directive onchemical ,physical
and "biological agents 13
4.2.1 .Specific directive onlead 14
>4-2.2 .Specific directive onasbestos .. 15'
4.2.3 .Information notices ; 15
4.2.4 .Directive onsafety signs 16
4.2.5 .Directive ontower cranes forbuilding work . -16
\4.2.6 .Directive onpowered industrial trucks 16
4.2 .7.ROPS andFOPS directives onprotection
-structures for certain construction site
pxant and equipment *17
4.2.8 .Follow-up tostudies andresearch 17
14.3 .•Opinions andproposals onthe Committee 'sown
initiative 17
4.3.0 .Safety committees /delegates inundertaking
and information for workers 17
4.3.1 .Statistics 16
4.3.2 .Noise 19
4.3.3 .Safety research index " 19
4.4 . 'Studies and research 20
4-5 -Information anddocumentation 22
4.6 .<Summary ofactivities 25
•5-Activities oftheWorking Parties 29
■*
6.Activities ofthe "Restricted Group " 30

page
7.Secretariat 30
4
8.Conclusions 31
Annexes :1:ListofmembersoftheCommittee ,WorkingParties
and."Restricted Group".... 33
2:Programme workin1979inimplementation ofthe
actionprogramme 34
3:FirstreportoftheCommission totheCouncil on
theprogress ofvorkinconnection withtheim­
plementation oftheactionprogramme ofthe
European Communities onsafetyand.healthatwork.40 .

INTRODUCTION
Article 3oftheCouncilDecision of27June^974onthesetting
upofanAdvisory Committee onSafety,Hygiene andHealthProtection
atWorkprovides that'theCommittee shallproduce anannualreport
onitsactivities' andthat'theCommission shallforwardthereport
totheEuropean Parliament ,theCouncil ,theEconomic andSocial
Committee andtheConsultative Committee o.ftheEuropean Coaland
SteelCommunity' . ■/.
I
Thefourthprogress reportwascompiled "bytheSecretariat and
approved bytheCommittee on22May1980.

fi-0 \
''' - }
1.■R.RZ:BR:;^IIIP OFTHECOM-IITIES .WORKING PARTIES ANDRESTRICTED GROUP
1.0."Committes
Themembers wereappointed forasecondtermofofficestarting
on23November 1978(x);therewerefourchangesin1979(one .
fullmemberandthreealternates ).\
1.1.WorkingParties ■
Inaccordance withArticle 16,paragraph 5ofitsRulesof
Procedure ,theCommittee renewedthemembership ofthethree
WorkingPartiesattirebeginning of1979*Therewereonlythree
changesduringtheyear.
Theexisting Chairmen andVice-Chairmen ofthethreeWorking
Parties werereappointed . /
1.2.Restricted Group
Themembership (theChairmen andtwoVice–Chairmenofeachof
.thethreeWorkingParties)remainedthesamein1979•
1.3.Membership wasverystablein1979thiscontributed tothe
continuity ofthework.
1.4.Themembership oftheCommittee ,thethreeWorkingPartiesand
theRestricted Grout)on31December 1979isshowninAnnex .1.
(x)CouncilDecsion78/1014/EEC-O.J.L349

5.
2,STRUCTURE AtJDOPERATION -
2.0.Therewerenochangesinthestructure oftheCommittee in1979.
Thisshowsthattheamendments madeinthepreviousyeartothe
termsofreference oftheWorkingParties ,inlinewiththe.
European Communities' actionprogramme onsafetyandhealthat ■
work(O.J.C165of-11July157S),weresatisfactory . ~■
2.1.Asatemporary measuretooffsettheshortageofstaffinDGV
r(inrelationtotherequirements ofthep.rogramme andthewishes
oftheCommittee),theCommittee increaseditsactivities in
furtherance oftheaptionprogramme . ,. ^
'2.1.0.Throughout theyear,theCommittee putpressure onthe-
Commission departments concerned tokeepthingsgoing.
•'"' Together with .theCommission departments ,theCommittee
drewupaprogramme ofworkfor1979(seeAnnex2)and
Jaskedforaprogre.ss reporton,theworkscheduled inthis
programme tobesubmitted at.eachplenarymeeting .
-2.1.1.TheCommittee 1sWorkingPartiesdidacertain amountof 1
,preparatory work(safetycommittees intheundertaking ,
.asbestos andnoise)andtheCommitteeitselfdrewupa
numberofdraftproposals .Workofthiskind-which 1
'.should,in-thenormalway,bedonebytheCommission
departments -underscores theinterest theCommittee ■;
takesintheprogramme anditsprogress ,butthework­
loadoftheCommittee andWorkingPartymembers wason
occasionfartooheavy. |
Complaints weremadeaboutthisexpansionin-theacti-,jj.
» I
'* vitiesoftheCommittee andWorkingParties.Tne,. 1
-f
Restricted Groupstartedinvestigating waysofimproving
workingmethodsandfindingsolutions .

6.
2.2 .Average attendance atCommittee anaWorking Party meetings ,
which hadbeen satisfactory intheprevious four years ,was ,;
even better in1979 realy reached amaximum .This canbe -
putdown partly tothe changes mentioned above andpartly to
the fact that anumber ofvery important subjects were under
discussion .Because oftheimportance ofthesubjects discussed ,
theCommittee members were more inclined than inthepast to
bring anexpert with them -provision being made forthis in
Article 6,paragraph 3oftheCouncil Decision .(74/325/SEC-
O.J. L185of9July 1974 )tosetuptheCommittee .
)
2.3 .Inresponse totherequests oftheWorkings Parties foralternates
forWorking Pa.rty members andforprovision forthem tobring
experts ,theCommittee preferred tostand bythe Rules of
Procedure which didnotallow -forthese twopossibilities .
TheCommission agreed toinvite avery restricted number of
expert consultants tospecific Working Party meetings where
this wasabsolutely necessary inexceptional cases .
/
TheCommittee authorized themembers oftheWorking Parties to -
appoint substitutes foratrial period under anumber ofconditions
Little usewasmade ofthese twoconcessions in1979 *

Thepreparatory meetings oftheworkers' and.employers' groups
beforeeachCommittee meetingcontinued .Beingawareofthe
importance ofthispreparatory work,inviewofthecomplexity
ofthesubjects involved .,theCommittee askedthegroupstouse
aspokesman asfaraspossible andtostepupinter-group
communication . '> '
ν /
Anumberofpointsshouldbemadeaboutthe"status"'granted
-. • '• •
totheCommittee anditsworkbysomedepartments andinstitutions
2.5.0.Relations with'theCommission 'sDGVdeveloped con-'
siderably (possibly'toomuch.'-seeitem2.1.1.).
Havingbeeninformed ofthechangesinthestructure
ofDG-V/E,theCommitteestressedthatthepractical
"application .ofthisstructure shouldensuremaximum
efficiency intherunningoftheCommittee's.secretariat
anttheimplementation of.theactionprogramme .,
2.5.1.Tnerewasanincreasing tendency-certainly greater
thaninthepast-forthework(directives )ofthe .
Commission 'sDGIIIontheelimination oftechnical
barriers totradetobesubmitted totheCommittee at
anearlystage.IncaseswheretheCommittee -atan
earlystage.IncaseswheretheCommittee isnotin;
apositiontoactasquicklyasDGIIIwouldlike,
DG.IIItriestovoicetheviewsoftheCommittee at
discussions withtheCommunity institutions responsible
forexamining ormaking'decisions onthedirectives in
question .' ".'

Thepreser.ee ofarepresentative oftheFoundation
fortheImprovement ofLivingand.WorkingConditions
asanobserver atplenary Committee meetings was
extended in1979 "totheWorkingPartyonStatistics
andResearch .
TheCommittee feltthatimprovements wererequired
initscooperation withtheFoundation atboththe
planning andimplementation stageandthisappeared
tobethewishofbothparties .Thisproblem would
beexamined withtheCommission .

9.
3.ME2TINC3 ' .t
3.0.Thenumberofmeetingsandthenumberofdaysdevotedtothe
.meetingsin1979inpreviousyearsareshowninthetable
onpage10.Thenumberofmeetings andthenumber *ofdays
devotedtomeetingsin1979wereupcomparedto1°78byone
thirdandonequarterrespectively' .Theincrease wasdueto
theextraplenaryCommittee meetingandtothefactthat
WorkingPartyI-almostdoubled -itsmeetings .•":
3.1.Thiswasmainlybecauseoftheincreased numberofdraftsor
proposals fordirectives ontechnicalbarriers (DGIII)tobe
examinedand(moreimportant )thepoliticalprioritygivento
theframework directive ondangerous 'agents' (pollutants )and
thefirstspecific'directive onlead(seeitems4.2.0and
4.2.1)..•''_-' ' .
3.2.Forthefirsttimeinitsexistence theCommittee hadbeen
facedwithbottlenecks -initsdiar3rofmeetings (e.g..sixdays
ofmeetingsinMarch),andoneWorkingPartyhadevenhadto
relinquish itsmeetingdatestoanother.
3.3.'Itseemslikelythatthenumberofmeetings in1979reached
themaximum withwhichtheSecretariat andtranslation -and
typingservices 1couldcope.TheCommittee istherefore ina
•*
difficult position :givingpriority tosometasksisincreas­
inglylikelytomeanpostponing others..
This .unfortunate butinevitable choiceemphasizes theimportance
offindingefficient workingmethods (seeitem2.1.1.).

Numberofmeetingsi I
Numberofdaysdevotedtomeetings !
•n
V'-I
" i
•1
11979 1978 1977 19761/21975 1979 :1978 1977 19761/21975|
Committeer––•–
(x)2 2 2 1
(x)6.5-5._=s»–=:Si.–==–.^
•2 Î
WorkingPartyI 9
(xx)5!
i
i4
Ij.2 1
i15
(xx)10
IL_6
I2I^'1 !
1
-I
I
WorkingPartyII ]
1
. • L Ir
\
r
i
i2•
\
I3 Ό 1 1 4'*
,4 0 1 1
#
V/orkingPartyIII 2
(xxx)*
1 2 0 1 2
(xxx)|'1'4 0 1
Restricted Group 4 4-■■■ ■' l
2
r1 0 4 4 3 1 0
TOTALf-–-
20
115!10 6'k 31 25 18 9 5
===r==sî=s=s===sr=a
(x)EachCommittee meetingispreceded byahalf-daypreparatory meetingoftheworker'sandemployers' groups.
(xx)Thisincludesaone-daymeetingforallworkermembers (oftheCommittee )toclarifytheirgeneralviewsontoxicsubstances
(xxx)Thisincludesaone-dayofallemployer members (oftheCommittee )toenablethemtogivefinaldetailsoftheirviews
onsafetyCommittees anddelegates inundertakings . ''. -

4.ACTIVITIES OPTHECOMMITTEE
4.0.General'matters -
In1979workincreased greatlyinbothvolumeandintensity .
Boththenumberofmeetings and.thenumberofsubjects increased
considerably .
Contact wasestablished withtheEnvironment Service andthe
Statistical Office (seeitems4.3.2.and4.3.1.).
TheCommittee had,onoccasion ,tomakestatements atarelatively
latestageonworkontheelimination oftechnical barriers to
-trade(DGIII)andrestricted itselftotheaspectswhichwere
essential tosafetyandhealthatwork.
'' V - •
However ,theCommittee wasabletoplayadecisivepartmthe
workofDGVimplementing theEuropean Communities 1action
programme onsafetyandhealthatworkbyhelpingwiththe
framework directive (seeitem4.2.0.)andth~specificdirective '
onlead(seeitom4.2.1.).TheCommittee .recognized the
significance ofthesetwodirectives :theframework directive
represented anactionsub-programme andtheleaddirective set
apatternforfuturespecificdirectives .- ,'■

12.
4.1 .Action programme oftheEuropean Communities onsafety and . |
health atwork (Council resolution of29June1978 ,O.J.C165 . j
of11July 1978 ) ■ ' ■ -4
l
4.1.0 .Inorder toimplement theprogramme and .planitsown • [
I
work ,theCommittee attheendof197° ,hadasked for |
aprogramme ofwork for t)GVgiving details ofcases j
where contact withtheCommittee anditsWorking Parties _j
wasessential ..This wasprovided atthebeginning of1979• i
-, i t
■ f
\
Theprogramme ofwork turned outtobeoptimistic ,for [
.theCommittee found that DGVwasnotinaposition to 1
• y \observe thedeadlines given andtotackle allthesubjects
'listed .Comparison ofitems 4.6 .(summary ofwork - j
completed )withAnnex 2shows theextent to'which work |
wasbehind schedule . i
f
"■ " ' " '^ I
4.1.1 .TheCommittee asked tdseethereport ontheprogress of , ;
theaction programme ,which theCommission hadundertaken
tosubmit annually totheCouncil ,assoom aspossible .
This report "wasapproved bytheCommission atthebeginning \
of1980 (seeAnnex 3). ' !
•■ . ■ - ' ■ ,■ " ' ' i
\ 1
4.1.2 .TheCommittee hadhoped that theEuropean Parliament 's j
decision ontheCommission 'sdraft budget for198O would
result inanincrease inthestaff working ontheaction j
programme ,butbytheendof1979it ■became clear that j
this would notbepossible because ofthebudgetary
•-►• .• -/ !problems . '

13.
4.2.Committee opinions andproposals requested "bytheCommission
N.B.:Discussions ontheopinions andproposals outlinedunder
thisitemdidnotalwaysresultinunanimity .Themain
.differences ofopinionareindicated . f■
4.2.0.Proposalfora(framework )directive ontheprotection
ofworkersfromharmfulexposureto'chemical ,physical !
- .tandbiological agentsatwork(O.J.C89of5April1979)
TheCommittee wasverymuchinfavouroftheprinciple
.~ofaframework directive anditsfieldofapplication .,•
;Theopinionattached greatimportance tostructural
proposals toestablish goodcoordination ,andmakea
cleardistinction ,betweentheframework directive
itselfrthespecificdirectives tocome,andthefunctions
ofatechnical adaptation committee . --
■Theopinionalsostressed' theimportance -ofestablishing
•'■limitvaluesandharmonized measurement methods ,of
ν
organizing medicalsurveillance andofgivingpriority
- .totechnical' preventive measures andtocollective as
againstpersonalprotection . :
•Theopinion "proposedfurtheragentstobeaddedt.othe
listofagentsforwhichaspecificdirective wouldbe
drawnup,thusdoublingtheirnumber.

14.
TheCommittee waspleasedtoooservethattheideas,
""basicstructures andanumberofdetailed proposals in
itsopinionhadbeenbroadlytakenintoaccountinthe
proposal foradirective approved bytheCommission and
submitted totheCouncil'inApril 19T9
4.2.1.Proposalfora__directive ontheprotection ofworkers
fromharmful exposure tometallic leadanditsionic
compounds atwork(O.J.C324of28December 1979)
■IntheCommittee'sopinionparticular attention -was
giventoexposurelimits;theCommittee' proposed anew^
ideatotheCommission ,consisting ofdistinguishing
betweenatmospheric values(intheairattheworkplace )
;andbiological values(inthebloodoftheworkers).The
Committee regarded thelimitvaluesinairasstrict
limits,butrecognized atransition periodwhenexceptions
couldbemade.
Thebiological values,ontheotherhand,wereregarded ,
.asindicative oftheneedforaction.TheCommittee was
notunanimous aboutthefiguresfortheselimit's..
Theopiniongaveaseriesofproposals forimprovements to
thefollowing items:respecting thedraftdirective
medicalexaminations ,workingclothing ,healthprotection
measures ;viewsdiffered onspecialprotection forpregnant
womenand/orwomenofchild-bearing age.

15
TheCommittee stressed thattheharmonization of
.measuring andsampling methods -wasaprerequisite ,for-
limitvaluesinair;itaskedtheCommission tomake
proposals aboutthesemethodsassoonaspossible .
.Withregardtothescopeofthedraftdirective ,the
Committee asked ,foranotherdirective tobedrawnup
onorganicleadalkyls. ,
4«2.2.Draftdirective ontheprotection ofworkersfromthe
harmfuleffectsofexposure toasbestos at"work
Havingdrawnupageneralopinionin197®on.theproblem
ofasbestos ,onthebasisofadraftactionprogramme for
,protection fromasbestos-linked hazards,'theCommittee '
receivedthisdraftdirective attheendof1979>inthe
formofthesecondspecificdirective 'undertheframework
directive quotedunder4»2.0.,andaskedaWorkingParty
todrawupanopinion.....
4.2.3.Information notices'
TheCommittee askedtheCommission todrawupinformation
/notices ontherisksrelating toacertainnumberof
•dangerous substances ,aslaiddowninitem7ofthe
Councilresolution ontheactionprogramme (see4.1.),
whilethespecificdirectives (inapplication ,ofthe
framework directive )were-beingprepared.AworkingParty
wasaskedtoexamine aninitialdraftnoticeonlead.

16.
4.2.4.Proposal foradirective amending theannexestoCouncil
Directive 77/576/2SConsafety_signs_at places_of work
(O.J.L183of19July1979)
TheCommittee 'sopinion onthisdraftwasfavourable .
4.2.5.Proposal fora-directive onsafetyrequirements fortower
cranesforbuilding work(O.J.C25of29January1979)
TheCommittee 'sopinion onthisproposal expressed regret
attheabsence ofprovisions onimportant aspects suchas
stability ,resistance ,useandmaintenance andaskedfor
thesefouraspectstobecoveredinfurtherdirectives .
Inaddition towhatwasalreadyintheproposal ,the
Committee askedfortheminimumrequirements forsanitary
installations inthecabandprovision fordevicestowhich
netscouldbefixedtobeinserted .Theseproposals were
passedontoDCIII.
4.2.6.Proposalforadirective onpoweredindustrial trucks
(O.J.C165of2July1979)
TheCommittee drewattention toserious omissions inthis
proposal ,suchasstability andvisibility ,andsaidthat
-itwasnotforceful enoughonthequestion ofnoise.
Astherewasenoughtimetoinsertoraddproposals about
thesethreeproblems (becausethepresentproposal would
notgothroughbeforethe'generaldirective onlifting
andhandlingappliances hadbeenaccepted),theCommittee
askedtheCommission tosubmitfurtherprovisions in1980.

17.
4.2.7.directives onrolloverprotection structures
(SOPS)^andon_falling_ob jectsprotection structures .•
£FOIS)_j_forcertainconstructional plantandequipment
TheCommittee found "bothprojects acceptable where
-safetyatworkwasconcerned ^.
4.2.8.Follow-un tostudiesandresearch ,
i.
Havingbeenaskedtogiveitsviewsonthefollow-up to
twopilotstudieswhichhadalreadybeencarriedouton
rflammable goodsandonrisksintheconstruction industry
andonthepossibility ofmakinggeneraluseofthe
resultsobtained through ECSCsocialresearch ,the
Committee : •-- ...
,-expressed doubtaboutwhetherpriority shouldbegiven
.•tosomeadditional workonflammable .goods;.
-proposed sixpriprity research~sub jectstocontinue
'.'analysis ofrisksintheconstruction industry
,.(seeitem4.4.1.);
-askedaWorkingPartytoexaminevarious ECSCsocial
-research projects .
4.3.Opinions andproposals ontheCommittee 's.owninitiative '
Theopinionandproposals listedbelowaretoberegarded as
'unanimous . -'' ^ -
(
4.3.O. ,Safety_committee^delegates_in undertakings andinformation
forworkers onthehazardsassociated withdangerous
-apparatus andprodùcts
Theworkers' andemployers Vrepresentatives wereunable
toreachcomplete agreement -oreventotakesimilar
stands-onanumberofbasicpointsinconnection with

safetycommittees /delegates ,e.g.thechoiceofCommunity
instrument (directive orrecommendation )and"thesizeand
typeofundertaking (including non-industrial undertakings )
whichshouldhavesafetycommittees/delegates .
TheCommission andtheCommittee startedtodrawupa•
directive ontheprovision ofadequate information for
workers onthehazardsassociated withdangerous apparatus
andproducts ..Astherewasclearlyaconnection between
thedutiesofthesafetydelegates andtheinforming of
workersingeneral ,theCommittee proposed thattheproblem
ofsafetycommittees anddelegates beputasideandstudied
againinassociation with'information forworkers' assoo.i
asthelatterhadreachedasufficiently advanced stage.
Preparatory workontheproblem ofinforming workers was
handedovertoaWorkingPartyattheendof1979«
4.3.1.Statistics
Inconnection withitem 1oftheCouncil resolution onthe
actionprogramme (see4.1•),theCommittee suggested that
frequency andseverity rateswerenotparticularly useful
anddidnotprovide arealbasisforapolicyofpreventive
work.'TheCommittee was.awareofthecomplications involved
inproducing validstatistics ofadequate scopeand
suggested restricted surveysrelateddirectly >opreventive
work.. • .

19.
The Committee stressed tothe Commission -that the
Statistical Office oftheEuropean Communities should
beasked topropose aplan ,possibly forseveral years ,
fortheimplementation of"thestatistical section ofthe
action programme .TheCommittee wasdisappointed with
theinitial reaction oftheSOEC tothis request ,which
wasthat itwas 'impossible forthetime being because
oflack ofstaff'
-4.3.2 .Noise atwork v
TheCommittee examined preparatory documents for the'
proposal for adirective onthedetermination' ofthe
noise émission ofconstruction plant and equipment -
measurement methods (O.J. C300of 1December 1979 /»
the brain child ofthe Environment and Consumer Protection
Service ;itnoted that anumber ofdirectives ontechnical
barriers (DGIII ).included noise émission lisait s. -,
->
Astheframework directive (see4.2.0 .)provided fora
\
specific directive on -noise ,theCommittee decided to
prepare an'apriori' opinion forDOVgiving priority
tothenoise 'received' bytheworkers .
AWorking Party wasasked attheendof1979 "toprepare
this opinion .
• * \ -
4.3.3 .Safety research inventory
TheCommittee approved astandard questionnaire tobeused
bythenational liaison centres which hadalready been
.asked tosupply the ,information fortheinventory and
agreed toadocument drawn upbyDGXIII onthe im­
plementation oftheinventory .

20.
TheCommittee askedtneCommission todrawupthe
inventory assoonaspossible when,thepreparatory
workwasover..
4.4..Studies andresearch
1
4.4*0.Follow-up tothepilotstudyonthedetermination ofthe
typeandextentofthehazardsinvolvedintheproduction ,
-■ use,handling andstorageofflammable goods
(seeitem4.2.8.).'
4.4.1•Follow-up tothepilotstudyontheanalysis ofoccupational
risksintheconstruction industry .
-theCommittee selected thefollowing sixpriority
research subjects fromthemanyadditional research
vtopicslistedinthispilotstudyandproposed them
totheCommission :
.theeffects ofduration ofworkontheriskof
accident andwaysofimproving accident prevention
onbuildingsites,takingintoaccounttheorganiza­
tionalconstraints ofnightwork,shiftwork,ana
weekendwork,theeffective duration ofworkandthe
results ofeffortstolimittheeffects ofdifficult
;'climatic conditions ;
.themainproblems associated withtheeffectsofthe
workingconditions peculiar tothebuilding industry
onthewell-being ofworkersandwaysofimproving
theseworkingconditions throughtheergonomic design
andconstruction ofmachines andtoolsandthe
adaptation ofworkplaces . '.

21.
.developments inand.presentstateofhealthand
safety,including theextenttowhichstandards
aredrawnupandapplied,theireffectiveness and
thepractical meansofmonitoring them.
.thedrawingupofaunifiedsystemoflabour
statistics coveringoccupational accidents ,,
diseases anddisorders .
..determination ofthemainenvironmental factors
at.theworkplace (e.g.climate,dust,noise,etc.)
andofmeasures toreducetheireffectsifthey
•areharmfultohealth(unhealtly environment ).
..thecausesoffallsinthe'construction industry .
/ -, '
-AttherequestoftheCommittee ,theCommission asked
theFoundation for.theImprovement ofLivingandworking
conditions -inDublin howmuchofthisresearchitcould
do. 1 . ~
AstheFoundation couldnottakeanything onforat
•leasttwoyears,theCommittee considered converting
thesesixresearchprojectsintostudiesandaskeda
Workingfiartytoexaminethispossibility .
Onthebasisoftherequests anddiscussions ofthe
Committee ,the'Commission handedthefollowing three
studiesoyertoexperts : .. --
-toxicology forworkers ;
-theorganization ofinformation forworkers onthe
hazardsassociated withdangerous apparatus and
products ;''
-theprofessional profileofsafetyofficersinunder­
taking. ■ /' .*
Thethreestudieswillactasabasisforthefuturework

both ,ofthe.Committee andoftheCommission departments .
4.4.3.Waysoffollowing theprogress ofresearch and.studies
financed bytheCommission andconducted elsewhere .
TheCommittee Wantedtohavemoredirectinfluence over
thechoiseofsomeofthestudies andresearch projects
(safetyandhealthatwork)andaskedthe'Commission for
moreinformation onprogress andresults.
4.4.4.Follow-up toECSCsocialresearch (seeitem4-2.8.).
4.5.Information anddocumentation ,......... ---
.TheCommittee received theliterature listedbeloweither on
requestor.ontheinitiative oftheSecretariat .Itrepresents
eithergeneraldocumentation orpreparatory information on
specificactivities .Thedocuments marked •+■werediscussed .

23.
Légalinstruments ingénéral
-Legalvaluearid"basisofallCommunity instruments and
associated procedures (Commission LegalService)+.
--Progressintheratification ofILOinstruments {safetyand:
health)(DGV)+.
Technical barriers ^ "-•
-Totalorpartialharmonization inconnection withthe
elimination oftechnicalbarriers (Commission LegalSercice)+.
N ■'- * ', - '
' ' r '-,' .».-NotefromtheDanishGovernment . ,
-■Noteontechnical barriers fortheEuropean Parliament
(DGIII)(x).
Framework directive (see4.2.0.)
-Noteontheterminology of-exposure limitsandmeasurement and'
samplingmethods (DGV)(x).-
-ToxicSubstances ControlAct-U.S.A.(DGV)+.- ,
-■Agreement betweentheU.S.A.andtheCommission (exchange ©f
information ontoxicôlogy )(DGV)+.1
Asbestos (see4.2.2.) •'
'3ewertung derTumorrisiken' (assessment ofthetumourhazards).
-'Outbreak ofpleuralmesothelioma andchronicfibrosing pleurisy
inavillageofTurkey 1': .
(x)beingdrawnup

Safetyresearchinventory (see4.3.3.)
-Classification table(B.A.U.-Germany); X
-TestontheEurosin System;
-'Techniques degestiondelasécurité'(IJJRS-France)
(safetymanagement techniques );
-Essaideclassement desrisquesprofessionnels' (IHRS
t.
(trialclassification ofoccupational risks);
-Researchprogramme 1979/80ofH.S.E./U.K.
Noise(see4.3.2.)
'-Study-Damageandannoyance caused "bynoise(DGV)+
I -·
Research (see4.4•)'
-ReviewofECSCsocialresearch (DGV)+.

Summary oftheCommittee 'smainactivities in1979
4.6.0.Thetableonthefollowing pagesgivesanoverall
viewofthe.mainactivities oftheCommittee .Formal
opinions represent agoodhalfoftheseactivities ,
and.relatemainlytoproposals for,ordraftdirectives .
4*6.1.'Thissummaryshowsclearlythat:',
-theactionprogramme isalreadyhavinganeffect;
-workontheelimination oftechnical "barriers is
continuing ; ■'-
-inadditiontoitsassociation withDGV,the
Committee hasestablished closerrelations with
fiveotherCommission services (DGIII,DCXIII,
'-Environment ,LegalService,Statistical Office).
4.6.2..,ThefactthattheworktakenonbytheCommittee is
increasing involumeandsignificance provides evidence
bothoftheCommittee'svitality andofthevitalnature
ofitsroleinsupplementing theworkoftheCommission
Departments ,whicharehampered bylackofstaff.
4.6.3.Workstarted (S)andplanned (P)milprogress orbe
completed in1980:furtherworkwillbeadded.

Form
ί–I
<0■Powω
ΉOω
riP«3
•Ηot.'1
p.uω
op.h
ohh
oPh«Heading Subject
(fordetails,refertoreportitem
numbershowninbrackets )-P£
0)
e
-p
c\3
p.
0)tJ
Ro
•Π
£0
W
•H
O
OS
-PO
-P
05Clî
O,
h[)p<«ω
•HH
MCX
Moa
0)TJ
ωω
-ηβ
•ρΣη
ooPih
<D
oX
GfH
OD
OS
(χχ)otage
'd
Q)
+>
0)
I–Ip.eoo
oena,'d
<Dω
-pl<
evii
■ρrH
WP,
IIII
Atthe
Commission 11
request
Ιν^ΐν»Λ Framework
directiveProtection ofworkers fromharmful
exposure tochemical physical and
biological agentsatwork
(4.2.0.)DGV.
Spécifie
directiveProtection ofworker'sfromharmful
exposure tometallic leadandits
ioniccompounds atwork
(4.2.1.)DGV
Spécifie
directiveProtection ofworkers fromthe
harmfuleffectsofexposure to
asbestos attheworkplace v
(4.2.2.)DGV
Information
notice(x)General concept
(4-2.3.)DGVW.P.1
W.P.1
W.P.1
V/.P.3
1+-;,

Atthe
Cornmittee' s
requesti
0 Directive Powered industrial trucks
(4-2.6 .) • .'DGIII • W.P.1 C '
0
t!
/Directive
NProtection structures for certain
construction site plant ,and ecjuipftient ,,
against :
–rollower (ROPS )
-falling objects (FOPS )
(4.2.7 .)DGIII W.P.1 ! C
/
0 Directive Noj.se measurement methods
(4*3.2 .)Environment + W.P.1/
.S
■ 0
!Etudes
•\Follow-up to 1
–twopilot studies (flammable )
,substances +construction industry );
./ -
–ECSC social research
•(1.2.8 )DGV . W.P.2
•-T*-0 .
-S
Ρ.Community -
instrument–Safety committee /delegates
inundertakings ; ■
–information for workers
(4.3.0 .)DGV-.' W.P.3
?-C
v–S
Ρ„Programme Plan ofwork onstatistics
(4.3.1 )SOEC +
+DOVW.P.2 C
0
....
»Spécifie
directiveNoise (worker protection )
(1.3.2 .) .\
'DGV ••
/W.P.1 ρ

A Directive Safetyresearch inventory DGXIII .W.P.2 S
*?•
P Research
or
•study -Sixpriority subjectsinconnection
v/iththebuilding construction
industry (4•4•1)DGV W.P.2 S
Ρ Research General useofECSCresearch
(4-4.4.) ,;:DGV W.P.2 Ρ
Η Information
and
documentation
,Vo.rioussubjects
(4-5-=DGV+
LégalServiceW.P.1+
W.P.2C
:+
P
(xx)V/.P.1:Technical Preventive Measures andRegulations RelatingtoHealthandSafetyatWork
V/.P.2:Statistics andResearch ;
VJ.P.3:RoleofBothSidesofIndustry ,Problems ofTraining andInformation .
I'

29.
ACTIVITIES 0?TH5WORKING PARTIES
5.0.Thetableunderitem-4.6 «alsoshowsthepreparatory workdone
"bytheWorkingParties.
Inorderto"beabletomeetsomeofthedeadlines ,theCommittee -
allowedtheWorkingPartytostartsomeofthework "beforeany
formalrequest wasmade.
5.1.WorkingParty1didmostofthepreparatory work(numberof
meetings andsubjects).Thisisbecauseitisresponsible for-
regulations -afieldinwhichtheCommission departments have
mostproposals tosubmitandtowhich,beingregarded asurgent,
theygiveameasureofpriority . *.
5.2.WorkingParty2hadfewerrequests fromtheCommission andfewer
proposals .Onitsowninitiative ,thisWorkingPartyexamined the
problems associated withresearch andstudiesanditsworkfilled
anumberofgapsleftbytheCommission departments inthesefields
'5.3.WorkingParty3workedalongtheprinciples asWorkingParty2.
Thetopicsdealtwith(whicharemorepolitical )aremoredelicate
andsometimes thorny.Thusitproveddifficult toreachagreement
νwithintheWorkingPartyonproblems suchastherightsofworkers
inrelation totheenforcing ofprotective measures andthe
obligations ofemployers inrelation tosafety.

ACTIVITIES 0?TH3RESTRICTED GROUP
TheRestricted Groupcontinued itsorganizational andpreparatory
work.
TheGrouphadbeensetupbytheCommittee in197^andhadmorethan
justified itsexistence .
Inaddition toits'normal'activities ,theRestricted Groupwasfaced
withtheproblemoffinding waysofrunningtheCommittee andWorking
Partiesmoreefficiently fromwithin (forlackofexternal means),and
thiswouldbeanevengreaterproblemin1980.
SECRETARIAT
7.0.Themembership oftheSecretariat remained thesamein1979
(2Agradeand2Cgradeofficials),but;forseveralmonths
oneoftheCgradeofficials didverylittlesecretariat work.
7.1.Asaresultoftheincrease inthenumberofmeetings
(seeitem3.0.),theSecretariat hadmoreworkthanitcould
copewithandtheshortage ofstaffwasevident onanumberof
occasions :
-theRulesofProcedure oftheCommittee couldnotbefollowed
(deadlines forsubmitting documents-onesetofminutesfor
twomeetings);
-lackofdocuments incertainlanguages ;
-theverysuccinctnatureofsomereports.
Thissituation gaverisetocriticisms andprotests frommany
membersoftheCommittee andWorkingParties.

31
8.CONCLUSIONS '
8.0.SomeofthecommentsUnderthepreceding itemsinthisreport
represent conclusions inthemselves onfairlydetailed practical
problems anda^enotrepeatedhere;someofthemhaveinanycase
already "beenoutlined inother:progress reports.
8.1.TheCommittee canclaiatohavesucceeded ingradually extending
itsactivities ,despitetheorganizational problems ,during1979
andinageneral wayoveritsfiveyearsofexistence .
8.2.TheCommittee isgladto-have "beenabletohelpinandpositively
influence awiderange'ofactivities ..HavinghelpedtheCommission
in1978 "t'oestablish theEuropean Communities Vactionprogramme
onsafetyandhealthatwork;itwasablein1979-"toparticipate
infinalizing amajoroffshoot of.theprogramme ,intheformof
the-framework directive ontheprotection ofworkers -fromharmful
exposuretochemical ,physical andbiological agentsatwork.
8.3..TheCommittee ishavinganincreasing impactontheworkofvarious
Commission departments inconnection with-occupational' safety,
medicine and-toxicology .Thiswaspertinently underscored aithe
endof1979,by.theCommittee'sChairman ,who-speaking asa
Commission representative -saidthatiftheCommittee hadnot
/
existed,theworkoftheCommission inthefieldscoveredbythe ■
actionprogramme wouldneverhaveachieveditspresentsignificance .

32
8.4«TheCommittee wishestoexpressitsappreciation oftheenormous
amountofv/orkdone "bytheChairmen ,Vice-Chairmen andmembers
oftheWorkingParties .
8.5.TheCommittee appreciates theworkdonebytheCommission
departments ,particularly thoseunderDGV,andtheSecretariat
tolaunchtheEuropean Communities 'actionprogramme onsafety
andhealthatwork,butfeelsthatitdoesnotgofarenough.
Moreshouldbedone-andmorequickly-tosafeguard thesafety
andhealthofworkers .
Itiscleartothe.Committee thattheactionprogramme ,whichis
supposedtocovertheperiodupto1982,willfallfarshortof
allreasonable expectations ifthestaffsituation remains as
itis.
8.6.TheCommittee isoftheopinionthat,inviewoftheurgencyof
itsmissiontoimprovethehealtha.nasafetyofworkers ,its
workshouldnotbehampered bymaterial obstacles orstaffproblems

33.
'Bilag I-Anlage I
Appendix I-Ànnexe 1
Allegato I-Bijlage I
MEDLEMMER
_MITGLIEDER
MEMBERS
MEMBRES
MEMBRI '
LEDEN ..
Repraesentanter forregeringen
Regierungsvertreter
Represent^tives oftheGovernment
Représentants dugouvernement
Rappresentanti del governo •- "
Vertegenwoordigers van deRegering -
Repraesentanter forarbejdstagernes faglige organisationer
Vertreter derArbeitnehmerorganisationen'
Representatives oftrade unions
Représentants desorganisations syndicales detravailleurs '-.
Rappresentanti delle organizzazioni sindicali dei lavoratori
Vertegenwoordigers van deorganisaties vanwerknemers
Repraesentanter forarbejdsgivernes faglige organisationer
Vertreter"' derArbéitgeberorganisationen -
Representatives ofemployers organizations
Représentants desorganisations syndicales d'employeurs
Rappresentanti delle organizzazioni sindicali deidatori dilavorc
Vertegenwoordigers van deorganisaties vanwerkgevers
' - . . " ■

34.
hcdgivends uava „?-Bercisruzsr -Aussshuss -Advisory Ccrrrltzse -Corriti consultati f
Ccr.itc.zc consultilo -F.acdoevend Ccmizé -.
/Î. -
Be~L2 *giçue
.Dan.rs.rk
3.R.Deuzsc'nland
Francs
IreIcr.d
"ediK^sic
Unized ïir.cdcrntulaire s
teste r.edlerrr.er
l-:izglieder
Full rr,err3srs
Membri titolari
Gelone leder .Su'CL-éants .. Titulaires
Faste mec.ler7r.er
'AizoliederSupp ^eanterr.e
Szellverzreter
Al.zemaie r.er.bers Ful lmemoers
Mer.bri supple -.-.iMembri titolari
Fl.zazs-Jervcr.ger.de Qevone leden
leder .Sv.pp iéar.ts
Supplear.zems
Stellverzreter
Alzer-rjcts merbers
Membri supplenzi
?laatsve rvangende
leder .
M.BENS
Hr .SAÄILD
Herr KLIESCH
>fcie LAMIRAN'D
Mr .KENNEDY
Sig .FREDELLA
M.SCKL'STER .
Dhr .DERODS
Mr..MARTINM.PAQUE
Hr .LAI'R3ERG
Herr OPFERMANN
M. 3A3'u "SIAUX
Mr .M0RRISCN' .
Sig .-rRrJ»CiOSi
M.MOUSEL
Dhr ,RIKMENSPOEL
Mrs .BARGERM.DENONNE
Fr .JENSEN .
Herr WAGNER
M.COURSAJLT -
DURAND v
Mr .CASKELL
Siå .ETOSE
M.NOESEN
Dhr .VINK i
Mr .NIILDM.GREGOIRE
Hr .SLO'J
Herr WOLFF
M.3ELK0TE
Mr .KURPKY
Sig .POTI
M.DE>fJTK
Dhr .LIGTERINGEN
Mr .3LACKADDER
3 ,
«^<5/>TC .»~tAtS
Zanrark
I3.?..Zeuzschland
IFrancs
Ireland
!~=f;^
iHederland
Ur.izec .Kingdor .
SeIçië/Belgique -
Dan.rc.rk
E.?.. ■Deutsc'r.land
France
irvJ>Ù •
Italie ,
Necerland
United King dorr .M.IHYRE
Hr .DREISEN
Herr KONSTANTY
M.ATLAN .
Mr .-CASSELLS
Sig .STAVZANI '
M.RECH
Ohr .DE5STIN
Mr .JACQUES
M.VAN GAEVER
ar.HOLM •
Herr MEYER
M.CAVS
Mr. RICE
Sie .GARLANDA
M.RAUCHS
Dhr .DEN fcOER
Mr.' AMIS ,M.KENNES
Hr .NIELSEN
Herr KIENArPEL
M.ROl'XEL
Mr .O'HALLORAN
Si;.LELI
M.DLNTZL '
Dhr .5URINGH
Mr .HAM ILTON
M.CLCQUET
Hr. RASMUS SEN
Herr WINCKLER
M.FREDERIC -
MORZAU
Mr .DOHERTY ■
Sig .PALLADINO
M.3ERVEILER
Mevr .DEQUANT
Mr .PETRIEM.SILON
Fr .CHRISTENSEN
HerrPART IKEL
M.GUILLON
Mr .DAL"
Sig .LUCIANI *
M.SASUS
Dhr .HØGENES
Mr .LLOYD .
M.CORDY .
Hr .NYGAARD
Herr KULLER
M.TASSIN
Mr .CLAKKE
Sig ..BUSSETTI
M.OLINGER ,
.Ke.j .DEKEESTER
Mr .CObbM.CCLLE
Hr .-ELIKQFER
Herr GÄRTNER
M.DIA2
Mr .KEATING
Signcra GLORIA
M.KLEIN
Dhr .SCHMITZ
Mr-PARRY .
M.LEONARD
Hr .LINIUS
Herr VON HASSELL
M.DELAGE .
Mr .CASSIDY
Sig .GHISELLI
M.3EFF0RT
Dhr .KORTEN
Mr .DEWSB'JRY
É

35.
AleJdjji'uppc :I-A/'haitoaruppe T~Working Party I-Groupe detravati I-Gruppo mlavo/
Werkgroep I
Tekm^ke-otj forscnriftsmaessige aspekter iforbindslse meaforebyggelse ogbeskyttelse \
Tuaknisakii Aspckte undVcrschriftan derUnfalive vkuiwig unddesCesundkeitsschuvses
Technical protective measures andregulations 'relating tohealth andsafety atwork ''
Aspects techniques etrcglemcniaircs delaprevention etde-la protection
Aspiiili -bttanici enormativi dellapreventions edella protezione
Tecnnisch*i enrcglerientuire aspecten vandeongevallenpreventie engezonaheidsuesonertmng
a€i.gte
Belgique
Danniark '
Suridearcpubl ik
Deutsckland
France
Ireland
,Ita;ta
Luzw.bo ,.irg
jVea#■-'ï'cna
4
United 'KingdomA
M.BStsS'3 .
M.SILON X)
Hr. SAXILD ■■ Hr .ELIKOFER
Herr HORNEFFER Herr PARTIKEL
M.JANIN M.LEVY
Mr,KENNEDY Mr. DALY
Sig .FIORE xx ) 'Sig .STANZANI
M.SCHUSTER • •M.SABUS
dhr .RIKMENSPOEL 'dhr .BURINGH ,
Mr. WOODCOCK :Mr. JACQUESM.CORDY
Hr .NYGAARD
Herr ROBOCK -
M.CAVE
Mr .CLARKE xx )
Sig .GARLANDA
M.OLINGER
dhr.^DEN BOER
Mr .COBB
x)Président
xx)Vice-président

36 .
A.r}>*\;Ji*jy ?tppj II-Arbeitsyrupxc II-Wcrking Party II-Groupeastravail -II
Gruvpo di lavevo II-Wcvkgroep II
Statin t-ikogForslyiing
Statistik unaForsokung
Statistics and i^escavah
Statistiqu&s etrejherches
Stat istichesriccvoha
Statiatiek enonce rzoek
DC
t/&*a"yaJiét
DciriZi-k
Buna.es repui ~-ik
Deutschland
France 1
Ireland '*•
Italie
Luxer ,bouyg
Rederlcnd
United Kingdom .M.HUBLET
Fr .JENSEN
Kerr HAGEN'KOTTER
M.MOYEN
Sig ".FREDELLA
M.DEMUTH
ahr .LIGTERINGEN
Mr .NEILD xx )M.THYRE
Hr. DREWSEN
Herr KIENAPPEL
M.GUILLON xx )
Mr .0'HALLORAN
Sig .LELI
M. .KLEIN .
d'nr .SCHMITZ
Mr .OWENM.CORDY ;
Hr. -NYGAARD
Herr BASTONG
M.FREDERIC-MOREAl
Sig .RIMA
M.RAUCHS '
ähr *DEN BOER x)
Mr .DEWSBURY
x)Président
xx)Vice-présiâent

Arbcjds-jvi tle.lll -Arb&itsgvupoe III -Working Party III-Groupe detravaz lIII-
Grupvo ailavoro III -VerKgroep III
Arbojdomv.yk^dets parters rolle problemer iforblindelse meduddannelse ofinformation
Rolle derSoziclpartnev ,Ausbilaungs -undInformationsprobleme
Role ofboth sides ofindustry ,problems oftraining andmformation
Rôle despartenaires sociaux ,proûlèmes deformation etd'information
Ruolo aelle parti sociali ,,problemi diformazione ed'informazione
Bolvanaesociale partners ,opleiaing envoorlichting
A
België M.NUYTS
aelgicue
UanrrxpK Hr .0VERGARD-HANSEN
SunJaci'ci'Ubltk : Herr ANZINGER
Dentschland
France M. -JANIN
Ireland . Mr. CASHELL
Italia Sig .FIORE
Luxembourg M.SCHUSTER xx )
■ \
Neaerland dhr .VOS
United Kingdom' Mr. MUNNS
x)Président
xx )Vice-crésidentB C ■
M.KENNES M.CORDY
Hr .•ELIKOFER • '•Hr .FALK
Herr KONSTANTY Herr VON HASSE.L
M.CHAVROT M.TASSIN XX )
Mr. CASSELLS x) Mr. RICE
Sig .LUCIANI Sig .NASONI
M.RECH V- M.MARCUE
dhr .DEBRUIN .Mej .DEMEESTER
Mr. HAMILTON' Mr. DEWSBURY

WORK PROGRAMMS -1979 Annex 2
The Council resolution of29June 1978 onsafety and health atwork provides for 14measures
Definition ofthe measures Vor;k projected
Preparation ofdocumentsLiaison with Working Parties ' -
D Statisctis ' Collect national statistics onoccupa -
pational sickness "
analyse theresults ofthestudy of
accidents andsickness inthebuilding
sector
examine the -results ofthe sectoral
survey planned inthe steel stectorWorking documents tobesubmitted toWorking
Party IIbyJune 1979
2).Research Define anapproach toresearch policy
(specific example :flammable substances
identify the subjects for reasearch -
continue thework already undertaken
'onthetwolists .Examination ofthese three problems byWorking
)Party II
3)Standardization oftermino - Examine theconclusions ofthestudy
loay and exposure limits completed inFebruary 19/9 v
» „ 13.1 .Define exposure limits
prepare specific directives 1
onlead ,asbestos andcadmium
3.2 ,Outline directive concerning
pollutants -
preparation completedAproposal tobesubmitted toWorking .irty I
byMarch 1979 ,theothers before theencof1979
Proposal tobesubmitted totheConsultative
Committee inFebruary 1979
4).Carcinogenic substances ,-'
Continue joint studies with the^In -
stitut deLyon
Prepare ageneral action programmeTobesubmitted toWorking Parties IandII k
and tothe Consultative Committee before the
end of1979
5)Biological indicators etc . ; Study proceeding • , First report tobesubmitted totheConsultative
Committee before December 1979 "

-2-
6)V
Assessment ofrisks Study proceeding >
Preparation ofaJoint symposium vith
the Consultative Committee for March 1980Progress report tobesubra.tted toWorking
Parties Iand II,2ndhalf of1979
7)Tintroduction and provision
ofinformationAdaptation ofthedirective onsafety
signs ■, \■ -'■ ■
Establish ageneral notice ontoxicology
Prepare anotice onlead andcadmiumFirst report tobesubmitted toWorking
Parties Iand III
8)Noise and vibrations 'Report onvibrations (study completed )
Collect and analyse data on'noise'
Examine the directive -DGIIIFirst report tobesubmitted toWorking
Party Ibefore July 1979
9)Accident prevention ,safety , Collect information onthestudies being First report tobesubmitted toWt:ing
ergonomics 1 }carried out bythe ECSC
Prepare general action programme •Parties IandII,2ndhalf of1979
10)tloiiitoring Joint study with ,theDublin Foundation Fi,rst report tobesubmitted toWorking
Parties Iand II,2ndhalf of1979
11)Occupational medicine Study proceeding First report ontheconclusions tobesub­
mitted toWorking Party Iand totheCon­
sultative Committee before December 1979
12)Spécial monitoring and
accidents , •■Directive being prepared onindustrial
.activities 1Report tobesubmitted toWorking Party I
before June 19/9
13)Organiza tionofinspection
bypublic authoritie sJoint study -with theDublin Foundation 1
'an<d the 11,0First report tobesubmitted toWorking
Parties 1and II,2ndhalf of1979
14)Schemes for introduction
aidprovision ofinformation'Study proceeding ,; First report tobesubmitted toWorking
Party IIIbefore June 1979 .--
\£>

Annex 3
COMMISSION
OFTHE
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
COM ('80)22
FIRST REPORT ONTHE ACTION PROGRAMME OFTHE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
ONSAFETY AND HEALTH ATWORK

INTRODUCTION
Background tothe programme
TheCouncil resolution of29June 1978 onanaction programme ofthe
European Communities onSafety and Health atWork (OJC165 of11-7.1978 )
invites theCommission to .submit anannual report ontheprogress made
inimplementing this resolution . •
This action programme figures among arange ofimportant and somewhat
similar activities which are currently being undertaken bythe Commis-r
sion .The various actions arebased onatotal programme which direct­
lyconcerns the life andworking conditions ofworkers ,whilst atthe -
same time dealing with aspects ofthe social infrastructure ofour -
society .Thus thephysical and social interests of .more than 100
million workers will becovered bythis action -programme . ■ .
Theprogramme finds itsplace among arange ofmeasures that arere- .
quired bytoday 'sindustrial society .Such society brings with itboth
benefits aswell asrisks ,and these risks bear both upon people working
infactories andworkplaces aswell asthose inareas outside .. .In
today 'sworld ,thepopulation ingeneral is .becoming more aware ofthese
direct and indirect dangers . Itisthe task ofthose who are respon­
sible torecognize this complex ofproblems andtotake action todimi­
nish risks totheminimum byincreasing worker safety andhealth such
that thedignity ofman atwork ismaintained and \improved .
Α
Modern developments intoday 'sindustrial -society inthetechnical area
and intheproduction process require constant -supervision ,and some­
times involve theimplementation ofstrict measures which themselves
involve *workers . - - r
These' elements ,and others like them ,form the basis ofthe action
programme which initself reflects one ofthe important concerns ofthe
Commission -namely tocontribute tothewell-being ofman atwork as
part ofthe socio-economic structure of .the Economic -Community .
This first report isconcerned with giving anoverall view .Itbegins .
bypresenting abrief summary ofthe Community 'sAction Programme on
Safety and Health atWork ,then goes on .todiscuss the implementation of
that programme .The report seeks togive apicture ofthework that
has been undertaken ,but itdoes not cover all details ofthe work that
hasbeen carried out inthepast year .There aremany studies and
working groups ,whose efforts areonly nowcoming tofruition andfrom
which conclusions still have tobedrawn .
Thereport concentrates primarily onactivities which have already led
orareabout tolead toproposals ordrafts bythe Commission tothe
Council ,inthe form ofdirectives ,decisions ;orresolutions.'
Itisimportant tostress that themany .actions undertaken within the
framework ofthe Coal and Steel and the Euratom -treaties and also aimed
atincreasing thesafety andhealth atwork arenot covered bythis
report . " - ,

Oneofthemost important proposals that hasbeen sent tothe Cci^r .~il
concerns a"Proposal for aCouncil Directive onthe pfoto J
workers from harmful exposure tochemical ,physical andbio ..,.-cal
agents atwork "(OJC89 of5.4.1979 ). This proposal was submitted to
the Council on6March 1979 and was considered bythe first working
group ofexperts oftheCouncil on19June 1979 .
Itisclear that although much has been achieved inthepast year ,there
isstill alot that needs tobeperformed inthe future . Ithas not
been possible toachieve all that was hoped for inthe first year ,
principally because ofashortage ofmanpower .Despite this shortage ,
with the support ofthe Council ,the Parliament ,and the Economic and
Social Committee ,theprogramme has resulted inseveral important ini­
tiatives being taken inthe field ofsafety andhealth atwork .How­
ever the fulfilment ofthis programme inanadequate fashion between now
and 1982 can only beassured bythe correction ofthis manpower shortage
Actions tobeundertaken
Initsresolution the Council agreed that the following actions could be
undertaken uptothe end of1982 :
Accident and disease aetiology connected with work -Research .
1. Establish ,incollaboration with the Statistical Office ofthe
European Communities ,acommon statistical methodology inorder to
assess with sufficient accuracy the frequency ,gravity and causes
ofaccidents atwork ,and also the mortality ,sickness and absen­
teeism rates inthe case ofdiseases connected with work .
ir-2.Promote the exchange ofknowledge ,establish the conditions for
close cooperation between research institutes andidentify the
subjects forresearch tobeworked onjointly .
Protection against dangerous substances .
3.Standardize the terminology and concepts relating toexposure
limits for toxic substances . Harmonize the exposure limits for a
certain number ofsubstances ,taking into account the exposure
limits already inexistence .
4.Develop apreventive andprotective action -for substances recog­
nized asbeing carcinogenic ,byfixing exposure limits ,sampling
requirements and measuring methods ,and satisfactory conditions of
hygiene atthework place ,andbyspecifying prohibitions where
necessary .
5.Establish ,forcertain specific toxic substances such asasbestos ,
arsenic ,cadmium ,lead and chlorinated solvents ,exposure limits ,
limit values forhuman biological indicators ,sampling requirements
andmeasuring methods ,and satisfactory conditions ofhygiene at
theworkplace .

6.Establish acommon methodology for theassessment ofthehealth ,
risks connected with thephysical ,chemical andbiological agents
present attheworkplace ,inparticular byresearch into criteria .
ofharmfulness and bydetermining thereference *values from which
toobtain exposure limits . ' .
7.,Establish information notices ontherisks relating toandhand­
books onthehandling ofacertain number ofdangerous substances
such aspesticides ,herbicides ,carcinogenic substances ,asbestos ,
arsenic ,lead ,mercury ,cadmium and chlorinated solvents .-
Prevention ofthe dangers and harmful effects ofmachines
. -- ' - - ■ . .. - ■- ' ■■' .-u '
8.Establish the limit levels fornoise andvibrations atthework -,,
place anddetermine practical ways and means ofprotecting .workers
.and .reducing sound levels atplaces ofwork .Establish theper­
missible sound levels ofbuilding-site equipment and other machines
9.Undertake ajoint study ofthe application oftheprinciples of
accident prevention and ofergonomics inthedesign ,construction .
•'and utilization oftheplant andmachinery ,and promote this appli­
cation incertain pilot sectors ,including agriculture .
10.Analyse theprovisions andmeasures governing themonitoring ofthe
effectiveness ofsafety andprotection arrangements andorganize ah
-exchange ofexperience inthis field .
Monitoring and inspection -improvement ofhuman attitudes
Λ
11.Develop acommon methodology formonitoring both pollutant concen --
trations' and themeasurement ofenvironmental conditions at -places
ofwork ;carry out intercomparlson programmes and establish refe-
.rence methods for -the determination ofthemost important pollu - .
tants .Promote new monitoring andmeasuring methods for the
assessment ofindividual exposure ,inparticular through the appli­
cation ofsensitive ,biological indicators .Special attention will
'begiven tothemonitoring ofexposure' inthe case ofwomen ,es-" ..
pecially ofexpectant mothers ,and adolescents .Undertake ajoint
study oftheprinciples andmethods ofapplication ofindustrial ■
medicine with aview topromoting better protection ofworkers 1
health . ' !
12.Establish theprinciples and criteria applicable tothe special
monitoring relating toassistance orrescue teams inthe event of
accident ordisaster ,maintenance andrepair teams and the isolated
worker . ; •
13.Exchange experience concerning theprinciples andmethods oforga -*
nization ofinspection by -public authorities inthe fields of
safety ,hygiene atwork and occupational medicine .-
14..Draw upoutline schemes ataCommunity level forintroducing and
providing information onsafety andhygiene matters atthework­
place toparticular categories ofworkers such asmigrant workers ,
newly recruited workers andworkers who have changed jobs .

44 .
Implementation ofthe action programme
1.Advisory Committee onSafety ,Hygiene and Health Pro^r-ion atWork
Since itisessential toencourage the increasing par : cion ofmana­
gement and labour inthe decisions and initiatives inthe field of
safety ,hygiene and health protection atwork atall levels ,particu­
larly atthe level ofthe undertaking ,the Advisory Committee onSafety ,
Hygiene and Health Protection atWork ,setupbyCouncil Decision
74/325/EEC of27June 1974 (OJNo .L185 of9.7.1974 )has been closely
associated with this work . The Council has appointed the members and
alternate members ofthis Committee inits Decision 78/1014 /EEC of23
November 1978 (OJNo.L349 of13.12.1978 )for theperiod from 23Novem­
ber 1978 to22November 1981 .
Inorder toadapt its structure totheCommunity action programme ,the
Committee extended the terms ofreference ofits three working parties ,
giving them the following titles :
Working Party I "Technical Preventive Measures and Regulations
Relating toHealth and Safety atWork "
Working Party II "Statistics and Research "
Working Party III "Role ofBoth Sides ofIndustry ,Problems of
Training and Information .
For thepurpose ofliaison and cooperation with the European Foundation
for the Improvement ofLiving and Working Conditions ,the Committee
invited anobserver from this organization toattend its meetings .
The Commission has ,during the past year ,received much welcome advice
from the Committee ,and this cooperation will continue inthe applica­
tion ofthis Programme ofAction .
2. Work onIndividual Actions .
Action 1.Statistics .The only Community statistics onaccidents at
work which currently exist are those concerned with coal and steel .The
Commission has been unable todevelop adequately these statistics for
other areas due toalack ofmanpower .Nevertheless studies are
currently underway relating tothe construction industry and anindepth
sectorial survey isalso being conducted in .the steel industry .A
detailed analysis ofthese results will becarried out in1980 sothat
themajor factors involved inaccidents can beidentified with aview to
developing appropriate preventive measures .
Asregards other statistics relating tomortality sickness and absen­
teeism ,the Commission issimilarly limited bythe manpower shortages .
Action 2.Research .The research programmes inthe coal and steel
industry are continuing ,and the Commission isusing the approaches
adopted inthis area asamodel fordefining anapproach toresearch
policy inthe field ofsafety and health atwork for the other sectors
oftheeconomy ,aswell asidentifying suitable subjects forresearch .
This work isbeing pursued further together with the European Foundation
for the Improvement ofLiving andWorking Conditions . Itisantici­
pated that aframework research programme will beelaborated in1981 .

TheCommission hasalso launched afeasibility study concerned with a
documentation system for all research projects and .,research inprogress
inthe field ofoccupational health . /
Action 3.Concepts ,terminology and exposure limits .'Astudy has .
already been complete ^entitled "Comparative analysis of .theprinciples
and application ofcontrol limits inthe ^Member States pftheEuropean
Community ".This study shows thewide differences in"terminology and
concepts currently existing between Member States regarding exposure
limits ,and -that these concepts are •inastate ofcontinual development .
Meetings ofnational experts have already been held todiscuss this
study and itisplanned tohold further meetings tofinalize it,and to .
provide elements for theharmonization ,which isurgently needed at
Community level .- - . .■ _
This work isbeing conducted inclose cooperation with ILO andWHO ,but .,
itisobvious that for theMember States :there isanurgent need to
achieve common agreement onthe words used ,and todefine asclosely as
possible thedifferent terms innational regulations which often donot
cover the same things .
Action 4.Carcinogens .The Commission isdrawing upapolicy of ;
specific action onthe carcinogens .Tothis effect itconsiders that a
general Directive dealing with theprinciples ofprevention andprotec­
tion will be;appropriate ;this will beproposed inthenear future .
This -policy will take into account the International Labour Conference
Convention No.139 and Recommendation No.147 -concerning prevention and
control ofoccupational hazards caused bycarcinogenic substances and
agents . Inaddition the Commission will continue its active collabo­
ration with the International Agency for Research onCancer . ■
ADirective dealing with acarcinogen has alredy been ,accepted .This
istheCouncil Directive ontheapproximation ofMember States' laws ,;
Regulations and administrative provisions onthehealth ofworkers ex­
posed tovinyl chloride monomer (OJL197 of22.7.1978 ). ;
_/
Action 5.Specific toxic substances .The Commission has sent to .the
Council aproposal for aCouncil Directive ontheprotection ofworkers
from harmful exposure tochemical ,physical and -biological agents at
work (OJC .89of5.4.1979 )onwhich discussions byaworking group of
the Council began inJune . : .
Theobjective ofthis .Directive isthe'protection ,ofworkers who areor •
who are likely tobeexposed atwork torisks totheir health and safety
arising from chemical,' physical andbiological agents ,including the
prevention ofsuch risks through' elimination orlimitation .oftheexpo -,
sure ofthe workers' concerned tothese agents .
This Directive ,which will affect themajority oftheworkers inthe
Community ,requires that Member States enact framework legislation which
will ensure that exposure ofworkers toagents -shall bekept aslow as
canbereasonably achieved .Such legislation shall' include thepossi­
bility of:

introducing prevention atthetechnical level ;
establishing exposure limit values not tobeexceeded aswell as
■sampling procedures andmeasuring methods ;
introducing collective andpersonal protection measures ;
setting hygiene requirements ;
providing information forworkers onthepotential risks towhich
they are exposed ,and the technical preventive measures taken ;
setting requirements for theprecautions tobetaken bythe em­
ployer and the worker ;
introducing the use ofwarning and safety signs ; ■ .
- requiring medical surveillance ,- ;•
keeping updated records ofexposure levels ,lists ofworkers ex­
posed toagents and medical records ;r ,
introducing emergency procedures for abnormal exposures .
TheCommission further proposed that *.
workers and/ortheir representatives shall beinvolved with the
elaboration andapplication oftheabove provisions ;
aworker shall not suffer undue prejuaice ,from these provisions ,in
particular if -there istheneed toremove him from exposure toany
ofthe agents ; 1
- ,the application ofthese provisions should not lead toundue ef­
fects outside theworkplace ,such asincrease inpollution levels .
The Commission recognized that for acertain number ofagents further
specific proposals for Directives would berequired .The following
additional measures are toapply tothese agents :
health surveillance should begin prior toexposure ,continue peri­
odically 'during exposure andalso take place following theendof
exposure ; , - ,.
workers shall beprovided with the results ofexposure measurements
andwhere appropriate with the results ofgroup biological tests of
exposure ;similarly individual workers -shall have access ,where
1appropriate ,totheresults oftheir ownbiological testis ofexpo­
sure . Inorder toassist them with the interpretation ofthe
results and tofurther inform them ofthe potential hazards ofthe
agents specifically prepared information and documentation at
national ana/orCommunity levels shall bemade available .
Finally ,inthis proposal for adirective theCommission recognized that
anumber oftheprovisions are ofatechnical orscientific nature which
will inthe future require further elaboration .and adaptation totech–
nical and scientific progress .The Commission therefore proposed the
setting upofaTechnical Committee called "The Industrial Medicine and
Hygiene Committee "which would function according towell established
rules andwould have competence for all these technical matters .
With regard tothespecific proposals forDirectives ,theCommision has
just submitted totheCouncil aproposal onlead ;aproposal onasbes­
tos will follow .

Action n, 'Assessment ofrisks .Anumber ofcriteria studies (dose /-
effect relationships )-have already "been performed andpublished . -These
include lead ,asbestos ,cadmium andorganophosphorus pesticides .These ,
studies have complemented the work ofWHO ,ILO and other international ■
bodies who have also performed similar work thus obviating the need for
Member States toperform similar exercises and resulting inaneconomy .
ofeffort .The results ofthese studies have already been used bythe
Commission inevaluating the risks tohuman health due toexposure and
thus provide 1thenecessary elements for legal instruments which are to
besubsequently submitted tothe Council . v .
Action 7. Information notices . The Commission considers that' the
Council Directive of25July 1977 onthe approximation ofthe laws ,
regulations andadministrative provisions oftheMember States relating
totheprovision ofsafety signs atplaces ofwork (OJNo .L229 of
7.9.1977 )isanimportant step inhaving acommon basis for the infor­
mation 6fworkers concerning the dangers and the necessary safety pre­
cautions attheworkplace .The Commission has already held meetings of
theCommittee concerned'' with amendments totechnical progress and to
future developments ininternational .methods regarding signs . -An
adaptation tothis Directive has already been made ,taking into account
theviewpoint ofthe Advisory Committee inthe Commission Directive of
21June 1979 amending theAnnexes (OJNo.L183 of19.7.1979 ).
Work has already begun onthepreparation ofinformation notices and a
first draft has been prepared onlead . Itwill shortly besubmitted
foropinion tothe Advisory Committee .The Commission intends touse
thecriteria (dose /effect relationships )documents already published on
asbestos (EUR 5653e )andcadmium (EUR 5697 )asbackground documents for
thepreparation ofinformation notices onthese agents . ..
Action 8.' Noise andvibrations ■'Onthe subject ofnoise theCommis­
sion has already published areport on-"Damage and annoyance caused by
noise "EUR 5398 . The Commission intends touse this document asone of
thebackground elements indrawing upaproposal onlimitation 'ofnoise "
.atwork ..,
Action 9. 'Accident prevention ,"ergonomics .Themajority ofthework
inthis area has been carried out inthe coal and steel sector . Inthe
coal and steel industries ,the Commission has established theprinciples
foraccident prevention which takes into account the concept ofinte­
grated safety .Ergonomic research isbeing carried out not only atthe
workplace but also innational institutes ,which will thus lead toa
significant improvement inthe safety and quality oflife atthework­
place .The Commission iscurrently studying how similar principles can
beapplied tothe construction -industry and totheagricultural sector .
Action 10 .Monitoring Jofsafety andprotection .The Commission has
already instituted studies concerned' with toxicovigilance systems . It
'isanticipated that systems ofthis nature will give anearly warning of
new andpreviously unknown hazards toman'shealth and safety atwork .
With regard tothedissemination ofinformation concerning such newly
identified hazards ,aworkshop "washeld bytheCommission inconjunction
with ILOonahazard alert system ..T^eaimofthis system istopass
information about newly discovered hazards intheworkplace ,-andhow to
procecc .against them rapidly through aninternational network ofcolla­
borating centres . \ .'

48 .
'Action 11.Inter comparison programmes ,biological monitoring ,
industrial medicine .Within the .framework ofthe Council Directive on
biological screening ofthepopulation for lead (OJNo .L105 of28.4.1977 )
theCommission hasalready carried jout work involved with thequality
assurance' oflead measurements ,which itisintended todevelop -forthe
worx situation .
• \ *
'The Commission isintheprocess ofpublishing aseries ofmonographs on
biological monitoring .These monographs are intended asuptodate
reviews ofthe available data onanumber ofpollutants with aview to
indicating thepossibilities ofcarrying outbiological monitoring .
Astudy has been completed bythe Commission onoccupational medical
services ,and afirst meeting ofexperts held . Itisanticipated that
further meetings will benecessary toformulate clear proposals .
Action 12.Special Monitoring .In -the last decade asignificant -■
number ofchemical accidents ,which may beconsidered asmajor acci­
dents ,have occurred both within the Community and inother countries.'
The Flixborough ,Seveso andManfredonia accidents inthepast five 'years
have finally prompted not only theMember States but .also the Community
toact .' ' ■ .
The proposal for aCouncil Directive onthe risk ofmajor accidents in
certain industrial activities (OJ*C212of,.24.8.1979 )isaimed atpre­
venting such accidents andatreducing their :.consequences when they
occur x -' '
Amajor accident isdefined as:
Amajor emission ,fire orexplosion involving one ormore dangerous
substances ,resulting from the uncontrolled development ofan
industrial activity ,which could constitute aserious risk ,imme­
diate ordelayed ,forworkers ,theneighbouring population and the
environment . _
The proposal requires ,ir.general ,forindustrial activities ,orstorage
which involve dangerous substances ,andwhich are likely tolead to
serious consequences -inthe case ofanaccident ,that :
asafety report bedrawn up, <'
workers beinformed ,equipped and -trained ,
- safety drills beorganized .,
- theneighbouring population beinformed and .anemergency plan
established . '
Inaddition when certain particularly toxic ,persistant exploding or
flammable substances arepresent inquantities exceeding certain limits
then notification with amore substantial dossier iscompulsory .Such
adossier isalso necessary ifthe substances fall within certain cri­
teria oftoxicity . • .
Member „States aretoinform immediately theCommission ofanymajor
accidents occurring ontheir territory ;theCommission istoset upa
data bank which' will contain information :

49.
- onthemajor accidents which have occurred *
c-nth®risks ofmajor accidents cc-r (r» bytyp«ofindustrial
activity ;-
- .onthehazards which might arise in ■ .riseofmajor accidents ;
•ontheappropriate measures forreducxng the risks .
Action 13 .Inspection bypublic authorities .•The Commission is
planning ajoint study together with the International Labour Office and
theEuropean Foundation for the Improvement ofLiving and Working Condi­
tions . , •
Action 14.Schemes for information toparticular categories of
workers .This action has not been developed inview ofthemanpower
shortage . .
•CONCLUSION . - • . '.
Inspite ofthevery modest staff means available tothe'Commission for
theimplementation ofthis action programme ,several important initia -
...tives have been undertaken ,and anumber -ofdetailed proposals have been
submitted totheCouncil .The approval ofthese proposals bythe -
Council will help toachieve abetter and more harmonized protection of
the safety andhealth ofworkers atCommunity level .
<