COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 01.12.1998 
COM(1998) 522 final 
22nd ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT 
OF THE 
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 
SAFETY, HYGIENE AND HEALTH 
PROTECTION 
AT WORK 
(Report 1997) 

1. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COMMITTEE 5 
1.1 Origin, competence, remit 5 
1.2 Structure, procedure 5 
2. ACTIVITIES IN 1997 6 
2.1 21st activity report of the Advisory Committee 7 
2.2 Draft guidelines on the assessment of the chemical, physical and 
biological agents and industrial processes considered hazardous for the 
safety or health of pregnant workers, those who have recently given 
birth or who are breastfeeding 8 
2.3 Safety and health at work: Priorities 1998-2000 8 
2.4 Opinions adopted 9 
2.4.1 Adaptation to technical progress of Directive 90/679/EEC (risks 
related to exposure to biological agents) 9 
2.4.1.1 Committee opinion (document 201/97) on the "draft 
Commission directive adapting to technical progress 
Council Directive 90/679/EEC on the protection of 
workers from risks related to exposure to biological 
agents at work 9 
2.4.1.2 Committee opinion on the draft Commission directive 
adapting to technical progress for the third time 
Council Directive 90/679/EEC on the protection of 
workers from risks related to exposure to biological 
agents at work 9 
2.4.2 Committee opinion on a proposal for a Commission Directive 
establishing a third list of indicative limit values pursuant to 
Council Directive 80/1107/EEC on the protection of workers 
from the risks related to exposure to chemical, physical and 
biological agents at work 10 
2.4.3 Committee opinion (document 723/3/97) on the proposed 
amendment of Council Directive 90/394/EHC on the 
protection of workers from the risk related to exposure to 
carcinogens 10 
. i 
2.4.4 Committee opinion (document 727/97) on a draft proposal for a 
Council recommendation concerning the application of 
legislation on health and safety at work to self-employed 
workers 11 
2.4.5 Study of mandates to CEN/CENELEC 11 
2.4.5.1 Committee opinion (document 732/1/97) on the draft 
standardisation mandates 13/97, 14/97 and 15/97 to 
CEN 11 
2.4.5.2 Committee opinion (document 867/97) on the draft 
mandate 29/96/2 to CEN il 
2.4.6 Committee opinion (document 734/2/97) on the organisation of a 
European Week on Safety and Health at Work in 1998 12 
2.4.7 Committee opinion (document 205/97) on a research proposal 
on analytical methods and sampling strategies 12 
2.4.8 Committee opinion on a draft Commission Directive adapting to 
technical progress Council Directive 92/29/EEC on the 
minimum safety and health requirements for improved 
medical treatment on board vessels 12 
2.4.9 Committee opinion on a draft Commission Directive adapting to 
technical progress Council Directive 90/270/EEC on the 
minimum safety and health requirements for work with 
display screen equipment 12 
2.4.10 Committee opinion (document 879/1/97) on a draft proposal for 
a Council Directive concerning minimum safety and health 
requirements for the use by workers of work equipment 
provided for temporary work at a height - "Scaffolding" 
Directive 13 
2.4.11 Committee opinion on the 1998 work programme of the Bilbao 
European Agency 13 
2.5 Operational procedures. 14 
2.5.1 Revision of the Committee's rules of procedure 14 
2.5.2 1997 work programme 14 
2.5.3 1998 work programme 14 
3 ACTIVITIES OF IHi: (iROUPS / l-ND-OJ-Yi:AR SIR1KTURK 14 
3 I Working groups active in 1997 and continuing their activities in IW8 14 
3.1.1 Standardisation 14 
3.1.2 Occupational exposure levels 14 
3.1.3 Training 15 
3.1.4 Self-employed workers 15 
3.1.5 Economic and social appraisal of health and safety legislation 15 
3.1.6 Multidisciplinary protective and preventive services / Health 
surveillance at work 15 
3.1.7 Scaffolding 16 
3.2 Working groups set up in 1997 ...16 
3.2.1 Prevention of violence at work 16 
3.2.2 Machinery 16 
3.2.3 Health and safety management systems 17 
3.3 Disbandment of working groups 17 
3.3.1 Pregnant women 17 
3.3.2 Biological agents 17 
3.3.3 Carcinogens 17 
4. COOPERATION WITH OTHER BODIES 17 
4.1 Safety and Health Commission 17 
4.2 Senior Labour Inspectors Committee 18 
4.3 Scientific Committee for Occupational Exposure Limits to Chemical 
Agents 18 
4.4 Social partners 18 
4.5 Trade Union Technical Bureau 18 
4.6 International Labour Office 19 
4.7 European Foundation 19 
4.8 Bilbao European Agency 19 
-4 
1. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COMMITTEE 
1.1 Origin, competence, 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: 
a) to conduct, on the basis of information available to it, exchanges of views and 
experience regarding existing or planned rules and regulations; 
b) 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; 
c) 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; 
d) to define, within the framework of Community action programmes, and in 
cooperation with the Mines Safety and Health Commission: 
- 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; 
e) 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 set up working groups chaired by a Committee member, which 
present the results of their activities in the form of a report to 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 rales 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. 
Contact between the members of the governmental interest group is maintained through a 
member of the Committee representing the Government whose country holds the Council 
Presidency. The employers' representatives on the Committee keep in touch through the 
Union of Industrial and Employers' Confederations of Europe (UNICE) and the workers' 
representatives through the trade-union organisation at Community level, the European 
Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). 
The Commission provides secretarial services for the Committee and the working groups. 
The Secretariat comes under Directorate-General V (Unit V/F/4). 
2. ACTIVITIES IN 1997 
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 lists showing the members in 1997 are contained in Annex B. 
With many of the members having been rc-appoinled, the activities of the Committee and 
its working groups were not interrupted 
In 1997, the Committee, chaired by the Director-General of the Directorate for 
Employment and Social Affairs (DG V), met on two occasions in Luxembourg, in April 
and October. On behalf of the Commission, the Chairman thanked the outgoing members 
for their commitment and their contribution to the various activities, with a special 
mention for a "founding" member of the Committee, and extended a welcome to the 
newly-formed Committee. 
Meetings of the interest groups representing governments, employers and workers were 
held on the day before the Committee meetings. Two additional meetings were held in 
February and December 
The Member of the Commission with responsibility for employment and social affairs, 
Mr Padraig Flynn, addressed the Committee at its meeting in April 1997. The text of his 
speech is contained in Annex E. 
The proposed activities and priorities were put to the Committee by the Planning Group, 
which met on three occasions and set up a sub-group to prepare for the revision of the 
Committee's rules of procedure. 
Progress made by the Committee in its activities during 1997 mirrored the work 
undertaken by the Commission in accordance with the Community programme covering 
the period from 1996 to 2000. 
Twenty meetings were organised to accommodate the activities of eleven working groups 
set up to investigate specialised areas in which the Committee wished to give an opinion. 
To keep track of the Commission's work, the Committee set up three new working 
groups, for which it adopted terms of reference covering Violence at work, Machinery 
and Health and safety management systems, three groups whose work had come to an 
end, dealing with Pregnant women at work, Carcinogens and Biological agents, were 
disbanded. 
The work of the groups is summarised in section 3 of this report. 
The Committee's activities resulted in adoption of its annual report for 1996, preparation 
of the draft "guidelines on the assessment of agents and processes considered hazardous 
for the safety or health of pregnant workers, those who have recently given birth or who 
are breastfeeding" (see section 2.2), consideration of a draft Commission document 
entitled "Safety and health at work. Priorities 1998-2000" (section 2.3) and adoption of 
thirteen opinions, which are reviewed in section 2.4 of this report. 
The Committee revised its rules of procedure and adopted its work programmes for 1997 
and 1998 (section 2.5). It heard reports by the Director of the European Foundation for 
the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions and by its representatives on the 
Safety and Health Commission for the Mining and Other Extractive Industries. 
2.1 21st activity report of the Advisory Committee 
document 0725/2/97 
The Committee adopted its 21st report, covering activities in 1996, at its 55th meeting 
held on 29 October 1997. 
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2.2 Draft guidelines on the assessment of the chemical, physical and biological 
agents and industrial processes considered hazardous for the safety or 
health of pregnant workers, those who have recently given birth or who are 
breastfeeding. 
document 5033/98/EN 
Pursuant to Article 3(1) of Council Directive 92/85/EEC of 19 October 1992, the 
Commission, assisted by the Advisory Committee and in consultation with the Member 
States, is required to draw up guidelines on the assessment of chemical, physical and 
biological agents and industrial processes deemed hazardous for workers during 
pregnancy, after giving birth or while breastfeeding? The guidelines are designed to serve 
as a basis for the risk assessment referred to in Article 4 of the Directive, and the Member 
States must bring them to the notice of employers and workers. 
To provide the necessary assistance, the Committee set up a working group in May 1996; 
this group studied the working document supplied by the Commission - drawn up at its 
request by the Athens Institute of Preventive Medicine - along with other recent 
documents covering this problem in various Member States. An editorial sub-group was 
set up in May 1997 within the working group. 
The resultant "draft guidelines" were presented to the Committee in October 1997 and 
studied by each interest group, whose views were made known to the Commission. 
The document thus amended will be presented by the Commission to the Member States 
in the first quarter of 1998, for the purpose of the consultation provided for by the 
Directive. 
2.3 Safety and health at work: Priorities 1998-2000 
(working document 0872/97) 
As announced by Mr Flynn and Mr Larsson at the plenary meeting on 23 April 1997, the 
Commission presented, at the meeting on 29 October 1997, a document setting out the 
priorities from 1998 to 2000 in the field of safety and health at work. 
Seven priority areas are identified: expansion of the knowledge base in respect of health 
and safety, conversion of knowledge into concrete action; provision of appropriate 
information to small and medium-sized businesses, proper application of European health 
and safety legislation; incorporation of health and safety into other Community policies; 
preparation for European Union enlargement; and development of international 
cooperation. 
The governmental group emphasised that, in setting the 1998-2000 priorities, particular 
attention should be paid to the radical changes taking place in the world of work, the 
impact of the new technologies and the fresh perspectives shaping the principles for 
protection of health and safety at work. 
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These objectives, with the target date of 2000 in mind, should reflect the new 
requirements in the field of health and safety which are certain to prevail at that time. 
In its written opinion submitted to the Commission aller the meeting, the employers' 
group, stressing that the protection of health and safety is above all an obligation from the 
human point of view, declared that employers were ready to assume the responsibility 
implied by their managerial powers for promoting health and safety at company level. The 
group also pointed out that the social partners would always be willing to play a 
responsible role in the consultations aimed at determining the priorities for improving 
health and safety at the workplace. 
2.4 Opinions adopted 
2.4.1 Adaptation to technical progress of Directive 90 679 EEC (risks 
related to exposure to biological agents) 
2.4.1.1 Committee opinion (document 201/97) on the "draft Commission 
directive adapting to technical progress Council Directive 90/679/EEC 
on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to 
biological agents at work 
working document 1895 
On 23 April, the Committee approved the draft Directive amending Annex 111, making 
provision for newly identified biological agents to be added to the Community 
classification and classified in accordance with the requirements of the Directive. Certain 
biological agents already included in the classification are reclassified to take account of 
newly acquired experience and knowledge, while the nomenclature for certain biological 
agents is adapted in the light of the most recent international agreements. The footnote (i) 
to Annex III is amended to the effect that, for laboratory work which may entail a risk of 
exposure to the agents responsible for bovine spongiform encephalopathy, the 
containment measures laid down for biological agents classified in group 3(**) in 
accordance with the Directive be recommended instead of those provided for previously 
in respect of the agents classified in group 2. 
2.4.1.2 Committee opinion on the draft Commission directive adapting to 
technical progress for the third time Council Directive 90/679/EEC on 
the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological 
agents at work. 
working document 10116 
At its meeting on 29 October, the Committee approved the proposed amendment to the 
Directive, concerned chiefly with inclusion of the agent responsible for bovine spongiform 
encephalopathy (BSE) and agents responsible for other transmissible spongiform 
encephalopathies (TSE) as agents not covered by the Community classification and 
group 3(**). 
-«) 
2.4.2 Committee opinion on a proposal for a Commission Directive 
establishing a third list of indicative limit values pursuant to Council 
Directive HO 1107 EEC on the protection of workers from the risks 
related to exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents at 
work. 
working document 162/1/97 
The Committee examined the proposed Directive and, on 29 October, gave its opinion on 
the third list of 28 indicative limit values envisaged. 
It called on the Commission to exclude six products (phosgene, nitric acid, acetone1 
(STEL), 2-aminoethanol, hexane and 4-methylpentan-2-one), in respect of which it had 
not been possible to reach agreement among the three interest groups. 
2.4.3 Committee opinion (document 723 3 97) on the proposed amendment 
(>f( \mncil Directive 90 394 EEC ' on the protection of workers from the 
risk related to exposure to carcinogens 
working document 97/1/97 
In line with the Common Position 3/97 on the first amendment of Directive 90/394/EEÇ, 
the Committee looked at mutagenic substances, vinyl chloride monomer ( VCM), asbestos, 
a possible list of all carcinogens defined as such in the Directive and wood dust. 
In its opinion delivered on 29 October, the Committee approved the text of the proposed 
Directive, while suggesting that, in Article 1(1), the last two words "mutagenic 
substances" be replaced by "germ mutagenic substances". 
The Committee went along with the Commission's proposal to include the (VCM) 
Directive 78/610/EEC in Directive 90/394/EEC, subject to the Commission undertaking a 
review of limit values which are outdated in the light of technical progress, although this 
should not delay the inclusion of the VCJV1 Directive in Directive 90/394/EEC. 
Moreover, sharing the Commission's view, the Committee did not recommend the 
inclusion of the Asbestos Directive 83/477/EEC in Directive 90/394/EEC, since the 
Asbestos Directive entails prohibitions and contains specific detailed provisions which 
supplement Directive 90/394/EEC. 
The Committee supported the idea of a single, easily accessible source listing all the 
carcinogenic substances defined as such in the Directives, as suggested by the Council 
(IV.1.p.20, OJ C No 6 of 6 January 1997), with such a list being linked to 
Directive 90/394/EEC but in a form other than an annex because of the need for 
continuous updating. 
With regard lo acetone, there was failure to reach agreement only in respect of the STEL value 
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On the other hand, with regard to the inclusion of work involving exposure to wood dus;:, 
point 5 to Annex I of the Directive, a majority favoured the Commission's approach 
whereby only beech and oak dust should be taken into consideration. The employers' 
group, while not disputing the carcinogenicity of the two types of dust, was concerned 
that this decision could have implications preventing the correct implementation of the 
Directive. 
2.4.4 Committee opinion (document 727 97) on a draft proposal for a 
Council recommendation concerning the application of legislation on 
health and safety at work to self-employed workers 
working document 522/96 
Following on from the European Parliament's resolution on the general framework for 
action by the Commission in the field of safety, hygiene and health protection at work, 
proposing that the fourth action programme contain measures aimed at extending the 
framework Directive to self-employed persons, the Commission submitted to the 
Committee a draft proposal for a Council recommendation addressed to the Member 
States. 
In its opinion delivered on 29 October, the Committee acknowledged that a Community 
initiative was required m this field, and noted that opinions differed as to the type of 
measures to be taken and their legal basis. Among other things, it considered that certain 
points of the recommendation should be reformulated, taking into account the prevailing 
situation in diffèrent Member States. 
2.4.5 Study of mandates to CEN CENELEC 
2.4.5.1 Committee opinion (document 732/1/97) on the draft standardisation 
mandates 13/97, 14/97 and 15/97 to CEN 
The Committee examined the three draft standardisation mandates to CEN concerning, 
respectively, standard measuring methods for sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide 
(NO2), carbon monoxide (CO) and ozone (O') in ambient air (mandate 13/97), standard 
measuring methods for benzene in ambient air (mandate 14/97) and standard measuring 
methods for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and nickel (Ni) in ambient air 
(mandate 15/97), within the framework of Council Directive 96/62/EEC on ambient air 
quality assessment and management. 
The Committee approved the three draft mandates on 29 October, but suggested that they 
should include a reference to safety and health aspects of workers involved in the 
measuring methods (sampling, calibration, analyses) and that, when a working method 
conforming to the EN standard had been selected, the competent CEN group should 
examine the applicability of the method for purposes of monitoring limit values at the 
workplace and other important factors (e.g. scope, recommendations for use). 
2.4.5.2 Committee opinion (document 867/97) on the draft mandate 29/96/2 to 
CEN 
On 29 October, the Committee approved the draft mandate to CEN for the elaboration 
and adoption of standards in respect of minimum technical specifications and test methods 
for fatty acid methylester (BIODIESEL) used as fuel for diesel engines and for space 
heating (mandate 29/96/rev2), and recommended that forestry be specifically mentioned 
under section 3. 
2.4.6 Committee opinion (document 734297) on the organisation of a 
European Week on Safety and Health at Work in 1998 
In its opinion delivered on 29 October, the Committee gave its full backing to the 
organisation of a third European Week on Safety and Health at Work, and was in favour 
of holding it in October 1998 on the broad theme of work organisation. 
It felt that the Commission needed to evaluate the contribution made by this type of 
information campaign and the benefits of repeating the European Week on a regular basis 
after 1998, and wished to be consulted both on the principle and on the periodicity. 
2.4.7 ( "ommitlee opinion (document 205 97) on a research proposal on 
analytical methods and sampling strategies 
The Committee, in its opinion adopted on 23 April, proposed to the Commission that a 
dedicated research project be introduced into the fourth research and development (R&D) 
programme, on the subject of health and safety measurements, geared to: 
- identifying, among the indicative limit values covered by the first three directives, those 
which have validated analytical methods and those which do not; 
- subjecting to a validation programme, in conformity with the CEN standards, methods 
identified but which have not been validated; 
- giving priority to the development of methods for substances which do not have any, 
through a collaborative programme involving competent EU laboratories. 
2.4.8 Committee opinion on a draft Commission Directive adapting to 
technical progress Council Directive 92 29 EEC on the minimum 
safety and health requirements for improved medical treatment on 
board vessels 
working document 851/97 
On 29 October, the Committee approved the draft Directive aimed at amending the text of 
the note contained in Section III of Annex II and in Annex III, with the reference to the 
"1990 Consolidated Edition" of the IMO International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code 
being replaced by a reference to the "1994 Consolidated Edition". 
2.4.9 Committee opinion on a draft Commission Directive adapting to 
technical progress Council Directive 90 270 EEC on the minimum 
safely and health requirements for work with display screen equipment 
working document 805/97 
On 29 October, the Committee approved the draft Directive aimed at excluding telephone 
devices with display screens from the requirement whereby the screen and keyboard must 
be separate. 
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2.4.10 Committee opinion (document 879 I 97) on a draft proposal for a 
Council Directive concerning minimum safety and health requirements 
for the use by workers of work equipment provided for temporary work 
at a height - 'Scaffolding" Directive 
working document 202/3/97 
The opinion, proposing amendments to the text of the Directive, was accepted by the 
three "interest groups", each of which forwarded their comments to the Commission 
under the special consultation procedure adopted in the time available. 
In particular, the workers' group wanted it to be made clear that workers should receive 
adequate training in preventing any risk associated with the use of such equipment, whiie 
the governmental group sought to extend the definition of "fall from a height" in line with 
the definition given in the Directive on "temporary or mobile construction sites"; the latter 
group also wanted the text to make provision generally for collective means of protection 
and, exceptionally, for individual means of protection. 
2.4.11 Committee opinion on the 1998 work programme of the Bilbao 
European Agency 
Draft programme of 15 September 1997 
Article 10 of Council Regulation (EC) No 2062/94 of 18 July 1994 establishing the 
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work provides that "the Administrative Board 
shall adopt the Agency's annual work programme on the basis of a draft drawn up by the 
Director referred to in Article 11, after consultation of the Commission and of the 
Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work". 
At its plenary meeting held on 15 September 1997, the Administrative Board of the 
Agency adopted the draft annual programme of work and forwarded it, for consultation 
purposes, to the Commission and to the Advisory Committee. 
The programme for 1998 is based on the four-year rolling programme covering the period 
1998-2000. 
Priority is given to creation of the Agency's information network and to active 
participation of all its components, with special emphasis on organisation, planning and 
management of the network, creation of Internet-based network technology and a 
common plan for developing the content of the information 
A further priority entails the dissemination of information on matters relating to health and 
safety on the basis of supplementary services: response to queries, production of four to 
six newsletters and two or three reviews on safety and health, press service, organisation 
of conferences, seminars and exhibitions 
The Agency also plans to carry out large-scale information projects. 
The ( 'ommittee endorsed the programme at its meeting on 29 October 1997. 
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2.5 Operational procedures 
2.5.1 Revision of the Committee 's rules of procedure 
document 199/97 
At its meeting on 23 April 1997, the Committee adopted the draft modification of its rules 
of procedures, prepared by the Planning Group, which it presented to the Commission. 
The revised version accurately reflects the current situation, with particular reference to 
the working methods of each interest group. 
2.5.2 1997 work programme 
document 203/97 
At its meeting on 23 April 1997, the Committee adopted its work programme for 1997 
and revised the terms of reference of the working groups Mull^disciplinary protective and 
preventive sendees Health surveillance at work and Economic and social appraisal of 
health and safety legislation. 
2.5.3 1998 work programme 
document 728/1/97 
At its meeting on 29 October 1997, the Committee adopted its work programme for 1998 
and asked the Planning Group to suggest priorities in the light of the available resources. 
3. ACTIVITIES OF THE GROUPS / END-OF-YEAR STRUCTURE 
3.1 Working groups active in 1997 and continuing their activities in 1998 
3.1.1 Standardisation 
The activities of this group are of an ongoing nature, since the Committee instructs the 
group to study standardisation mandates as and when they are submitted by the 
Commission. The group also deals with general problems relating to health and safety at 
work in the context of standardisation. 
The group met once in 1997 and prepared two draft opinions on mandates to 
CEN/CENELEC (section 2.4.5). 
3.1.2 Occupational exposure levels 
m 
This group is consulted on the fixing of priorities in respect of substances for which 
occupational exposure levels should be established and prepares opinions on the 
procedures to be followed for collecting the data needed to establish occupational 
exposure levels. 
The group monitors the work of the Scientific Committee for Occupational Exposure 
Limits (section 4.3), prepares opinions on Commission proposals lor establishing 
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occupational exposure levels and gives reports on progress made with its activities at 
meetings of the Committee. 
The group met once in 1997 and prepared one opinion for the Committee (section 2.4.2). 
3.1.3 Training 
The group was set up in November 1996 to advise the Committee on the implementation 
of the "Training" chapter of the programme, with particular emphais on the possible 
preparation of a reference document which could provide a basis for recommendations on 
occupational safety and health training, and focusing also on the needs of young people as 
future workers; a further task of the group is to advise the Committee in connection with 
the implementation of any back-up activities at Community level. 
The group met once in 1997. 
3.1.4 Self-employed workers 
Set up in November 1996, this group met on one occasion and an editorial sub-group 
prepared an initial Committee opinion (section 2.4.4) on the need for a.proposal for a 
Council recommendation concerning the safety and health at work of self-employed 
workers; the group is required also to examine the range of possible actions at Community 
level for meeting the needs arising and tackling the problems liable to result from the 
extension of Community health and safety measures to self-employed workers (action 8 of 
the programme). 
The group is expected to continue its work in 1998. 
3.1.5 Economic and social appraisal of health and safety legislation 
Set up in November 1996, this group is required to prepare a Committee opinion on the 
Commission's proposals for a methodology in respect of the economic and social 
appraisal of existing legislation in the field of health and safety, and a procedure for the 
appraisal of European directives concerned with health and safety, using this methodology 
and methods already employed in the Member States. 
The group will draw upon a report compiled for the Commission on "the economic 
appraisal of European health and safety at work legislation", which analyses the current 
procedures and available methods for assessing the economic impact (both costs and 
benefits) of health and safety legislation at European, national and company level, and 
puts forward proposals for practical impact assessment models at European and national 
levels, including a procedure specifically designed for European directives. 
The group met once in 1997. 
3.1.6 Multidiscipimary protective and preventive services Health 
surveillance ai work 
Amalgamation of two groups previously in existence; the terms of reference 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 different Member States. 
The group met once in 1997. 
3.1.7 Scaffolding 
Set up in May 1996, the group's remit is to prepare a Committee opinion on a draft 
proposal for a Council Directive on scaffolding (section 2.4.10). The group met once in 
1996 and three times in 1997, and is expected to be formally disbanded at the next 
meeting of the Committee. 
The group studied an initial version of the draft Directive (document 5408/96) and, in 
1996, drew up an interim draft opinion (document 5825/96). The Commission put 
forward a new proposal (document 202/3/97), being the subject of the opinion adopted 
under the written procedure following discussion within the interest groups. The opinion 
is accompanied by the comments of the interest groups. 
3.2 Working groups set up in 1997 
On the basis of information supplied by the Commission regarding progress made with the 
Community programme concerning safety, hygiene and health at work (COM(95) 282 
final) and activities in related areas, the Committee decided to set up three working 
groups. 
3.2.1 Prevention of violence at work 
One of the measures provided for under Action 3 of the Community programme is 
"analysis of the action necessary at Community level on prevention of violence at work 
and follow-up". 
The group will be required to prepare a Committee opinion on proposals put forward by 
the Commission and on any other steps which may be necessary at European level. 
3.2.2 Machinery 
The task of this group is to prepare a Committee opinion on a draft proposal for a Council 
Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to machinery. 
Directive 89/392/EEC on the approximation of laws relating to machinery has major 
implications for safety and health at work. Besides the direct effects attributable to new 
machinery, there may be an indirect impact under Directive 89/655/EEC concerning the 
minimum safety and health requirements for the use of work equipment by workers. 
To facilitate the preparation of the opinion, the social partners, with one representative for 
each group, will participate in the work initiated by the competent Directorate-General. 
- 16-
3.2.3 Health and safety management systems 
The purpose of this group is to advise and assist the Commission in the development of 
guidelines for health and safety management systems, and to make recommendations for 
applying them. 
3.3 Disbandment of working groups 
The Committee decided to disband three groups whose work had been completed. 
3.3.1 Pregnant women 
Set up in May 1996, this group met on one occasion in 1996 and twice in 1997. The 
editorial sub-group also met twice and the document which it helped to draw up was 
presented to the 55th meeting of the Committee (section 2.2). The group was disbanded 
on 29 October 1997. 
3.3.2 Biological agents 
Having been inactive since November 1994, when its draft opinion was adopted by the 
Committee, this group was reactivated in 1996 and given the new task of preparing a 
Committee opinion on the proposed amendment of the Council Directive of 12 October 
1993 amending Directive 90/679/EEC2 on the protection of workers from the risks related 
to exposure to biological agents at work (93/88/EEC1) so as to adapt to technical and 
scientific progress the annexes to the Directive in the light of the most recent knowledge. 
The group met on one occasion in 1997 and prepared an opinion for the Committee 
(section 2.4.1.1). The group was disbanded on 23 April 1997. 
3.3.3 Carcinogens 
Set up in November 1996, this group prepared a Committee opinion on a proposal for 
amending Council Directive 90/394/EEC on the protection of workers from the risks 
related to exposure to carcinogens at work (section 2.4.3). 
The group met three times in 1997 and was disbanded on 29 October 1997. 
4. COOPERATION WITH OTHER BODIES 
The Committee collaborates or is in contact with other organisations at European and 
international level. 
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 
2 OJNoL374. 31.12.1990. p. I 
' OJ NoL26X. 29.10 1993. p. 71 
- 17 
proposais for improving safety and health protection at the workplace, and to foster 
exchanges of useful information. *ov 
Since 1994, representatives of the SHCMOE1 attend 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 the 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-oriented 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 protection at work. 
At its meeting on 29 April 1997, the Committee approved, the report prepared by its 
SHCMOEI observers. 
4.2 Senior Labour Inspectors Committee 
Created by Commission Decision 95/319/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 proposals for a Directive implementing 
Council Directive 80/1107/EEC as amended by Directive 88/642/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 meetings of the Committee as observers. 
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 
- 18-
with the European harmonisation and standardisation work in the field of safety and health 
at the workplace and with the Committee's Standardisai ion Group A representative of 
the TUTB attends the Committee's meetings as an observer. 
4.6 International Labour Office 
A representative of the ILO is invited to meetings of the Committee as an observer. 
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 as an observer and presents, among 
other things, the Foundation's work programme. Cooperation with the Foundation 
became more clearly defined in the wake of the 1996 report on work-related stress. 
The Director of the Foundation presented to the Committee, at its meeting on 23 April, a 
report on the Foundation's work. 
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 (section 2.4.11). 
19-
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 
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. 
An alternate member shall be appointed for each full member. (...) 
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. 
20 
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 
1. 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. 
4. 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. 
5. 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." 
21 
ANNEX B 
Bl - COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE in 1997 
Period 1994-97 
I. GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES 
a) Full members 
Belgium Mr HESELMANS Mr WAMPACH 
Denmark Mr O ANDERSEN Mr J. ANDERSEN 
Germany Mr OPFERMANN Mrs STREFFER 
Greece Mrs KAFETZOPOULOU Mr KOUMERTAS 
Spain Mr CHOZAS PEDRERO Mr G HORTIGUELA 
France Mrs GU1GUEN Mr BOISNEL 
Ireland Mr WALSH Mr HENRY 
Italy Dr FAVENTI Dr ROCCA 
Luxembourg Dr RUME Mr WEBER 
Netherlands Dr DEN HELD Mr VOS 
Austria Dr SZYSMANDKI Dr BREINDL 
Portugal Dr COSTA MARINHO Dr DURAO 
Finland Mr HURMALAINEN Mr LAMBERG 
Sweden Mr BYLUND Mr CLOAREC 
United Kingdom Mr CLIFTON Miss DEAKINS 
. 11 
b) Alternate members 
Belgium 
Denmark 
Germany 
Greece 
Spain 
France 
Ireland 
Italy 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
Austria 
Portugal 
Finland 
Sweden 
United Kingdom Mr RZONZEF 
Mrs SKJOLDAGER 
Mr GIESEN 
Mr TANGAS 
MrsG. DEL CASTILLO 
Mr PASQUIER 
Mr FUREY 
DrGUERRIERI 
MrFEYREISEN 
Dr MIDDELPLAATS 
Dr FINDING 
Mr CASTELO BRANCO 
MrKALLIO 
Prof. KILBOM 
Mrs SOAVE Mr STEEN 
Mrs STEFFENSEN 
Mr RIESE 
MrsPISSIMISSI 
Mr CASTELLA 
Mr ROBERT 
Mr DONNELLAN 
MrALVINO 
Mr DEMUTH 
MrMEPPELDER 
Dr JENNER 
Mrs PINTO MARVAO 
Mr RANTANEN 
Mr BARREFELT 
Mr HIGHAM 
23-
II. WORKERS' REPRESEN I ATIVES 
a) Full members 
Belgium Mr FONCK Mrs CYPRES 
Denmark Mr MALTESEN Mr POULSEN 
Germany Mr KONSTANTY Mr ANGERMAIER 
Greece Mr POLITIS Mr DRIVAS 
Spain Mr CARCOBA Mrs DIAZ OJEDA 
France Mr PHILIP Mr MARTIN 
Ireland Mr WALL MrCRONIN 
Italy MrsBRIGHl Mrs BENEDETTINl 
Luxembourg Mr MILLER Mr GIARDIN 
Netherlands Mrs VERBURG Mr WILDERS 
Austria Mrs CZESKLEBA Mr HEIDER 
Portugal Mr GOMES TAVARES Mr SARAMAGO 
Finland Mr METSAMAKI Miss TYOLAJARVI 
Sweden Mr TENGBERG Mrs BREIDENSJO. 
United Kingdom MrMELLISH Miss GIBSON 
24-
anosHMHaawtapi 
b) Alternate members 
Belgium Mr PHILIPS Mr VAN DER HAEGEN 
Denmark Mr HEEGAARD Mr NORSKOV 
Germany Mr GROW1TSCH MrZWINGMANN 
Greece Mr PAPANAYOTOU DrCHATZIS 
Spain Mr FERNANDEZ Mrs VILLAR 
ARROYO FERNANDEZ 
France Mr LEMITRES Mr SEDES 
Ireland Mr O'NEILL MrO'HALLORAN 
Italy DrTASCINI DrGALLI 
Luxembourg Mr ABBATI MrMERSCH 
Netherlands Mr MULLER Mr SPRENGER 
Austria MrSCHRAMHAUSER Mrs REITINGER 
Portugal Mr SANTOS NEVES Mr ALMEIDA TEXEIRA 
Finland Miss HE1KURA Mr SAARIKANGAS 
Sweden Mr LAVEN1US Mrs THULESTEDT 
United Kingdom Mr TUDOR Mr PICKERING 
2> -
III. EMPLOYERS' REPRESENTATIVES 
a) Full members 
Belgium Mr LEONARD Mr DE LANGE 
Denmark MrJEPSEN Mr NIELSEN 
Germany Mr SCHEEL Mr KUHLMANN 
Greece Mr TSAMOUSSOPOIJLOS MrZIMALIS 
Spain Mr MANZANO SANZ MrSANCHISAHUYO 
France MrTASSIN Mr PEYRICAL 
Ireland Mr TUMULTY Mr BRISCOE 
Italy MrGIUSTI Dr FREGOSO 
Luxembourg Mr SAUBER Dr METZLER 
Netherlands Mr VAN OSTAIJEN Mrs DE MEESTER 
Austria Mrs SCHWENG Mr BRAUNER 
Portugal Mr COSTA TAVARES Mr LIMA AMORIM 
Finland Mr GRAHN Mr KUIKKO 
Sweden Mr LIND Mr FROSTLING 
United Kingdom Dr ASHERSON Dr WHITE 
-2<> 
b) Alternate members 
Belgium Mr PELEGRIN Mr DILLEN 
Denmark Mr S0RENSEN Mrs K0LVING 
Germany Mr BEEKHUIZEN Dr KREIZBERG 
Greece Mr KALDIS Mr VGONTAS 
Spain MrBELTRAN Mr MUNOZ MUGICA 
APARICIO 
France Dr AUBRUN MrsCORMAN 
Ireland Mr LAWLOR MrCASSIDY 
Italy MrROVIGLIONl Mr SPANO 
Luxembourg DrBOLLENDORF Mr LANG 
Netherlands Mr VERHOEF Mrs HOPMANS 
Austria Mr DUNGL MrSTRIMITZER 
Portugal Mr BARROSO Mr TEVES COSTA 
Finland Mr AHTELA Miss LUOMALA 
Sweden Mr HAGMAN Mr HOLMGREN 
United Kingdom Mr HUGHES Mr CLARE 
27 
B2 - COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE in 1997 
Period 1997-2000 
I. GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES 
a) Full members 
Belgium Mr HESELMANS Mr DE VIL 
Denmark Mr ANDERSEN Mr ECKEROTH 
Germany Mr HORST Mr WILMERSTADT 
Greece Mr KAFETZOPOULOU Mr PAPADOPOULOS 
Spain Mr GOMEZ- Mr MARTINEZ DE LA 
HORTIGUELA AMILLO GANDARA 
France Mr BOISNEL Mrs GUIGUEN 
Ireland Mr HENRY Mr WALSH 
Italy ProfLEPORE DrCACOPARDI 
Luxembourg DrRUME Mr WEBER 
Netherlands Mr VOS Dr LATERVEER 
Austria Dr BREINDL Dr SZYMANSKI 
Portugal Mr RODRIGUES DA Dr COSTA MARINHO 
SILVA CABRAL 
Finland Mr RANTANEN Mr HURMALAINEN 
Sweden Mr BYLUND MrCLOAREC 
United Kingdom Mr CLIFTON Dr CRUICKSHANK 
2S 
b) Alternate members 
Belgium Mr STEEN MrFONTINOY 
Denmark Mr JENSEN Mr BAHNE 
Germany Mr G1ESEN Dr RUCKERT 
Greece Mrs PISSIM1SSI Mr CHRISTODOULOU 
Spain MrCASTELLA Mr NOLLA 
FERNANDEZ 
France Mrs PAILLARD Mr ROBERT 
Ireland Mr FUREY Mr DONNELLAN 
Italy DrFAVENTl Dr ROCCA-ERCOLI 
| Luxembourg Mr DEMUTH Mr HUBERTY 
I Netherlands Mr MEPPELDER Dr MIDDELPLAATS 
i • • 
Austria Dr FINDING MrsJENNER 
i 
Portugal Mrs PINTO MARVAO Mr>REITAS DURAO 
| Finland Mr KALLIO Mrs LEHTINEN 
I Sweden Mr BARREFELT Mrs SVARD 
i 
! United Kingdom Mrs WHITE Mr HENDERSON 
29-
II. WORKERS' REPRESENTATIVES 
a) Full members 
Belgium Mrs CYPRES Mr FONCK 
Denmark Mr RASMUSSEN Mr POULSEN 
Germany Mr KONSTANTY Mr ANGERMAIER 
Greece Mr POLIT1S Mr DRIVAS 
Spain Mr FERRER Mr CARCOBA 
France Mr PHILIP Mr MARTIN 
Ireland Mr CRONIN Mr WHELAN 
Italy Mrs BENEDETTINl DrGALLI 
Luxembourg Mr MILLER MrGlARDIN 
Netherlands MrWILDERS Mr DE GEUS 
Austria Mr HEIDER Mrs CZESKLEBA 
Portugal Mr NASCIMENTO Mr DA COSTA FARIAS 
LOPES 
Finland Mrs TYOLAjARVl Mr METSAMAKI 
Sweden Mr TENGBERG Mrs BREIDENSJO 
United Kingdom Mrs GIBSON Mr MELLISH 
b) Alternate members 
Belgium Mrs VELLANDE Mr VAN DER HAEGEN 
Denmark Mr JACOBSEN Mr AHLERS 
Germany Mr ZWINGMANN Mr GROWITSCH 
Greece Dr CHATZIS Mr PAPANAYOTOU 
Spain Mrs DIAZ Mr TORRES 
FERNANDEZ 
France Mr SALENGRO Mr SEDES 
Ireland Mrs MRKWICKA Mr DEVOY 
Italy Mr D'ERCOLE Mr STANZANI 
Luxembourg Mr GOEREND Mr KINN 
Netherlands Mr MULLER Mr VAN STEEBERGEN 
Austria MrsREITINGER Mr STEINER 
Portugal Mr COELHAS DIONISIO Mr MONTEIRO do 
MONTE 
Finland Mr SAARIKANGAS Mrs HEIKURA 
Sweden Mrs H1LDINGSSON Mrs THULESTEDT 
United Kingdom Mr TUDOR Mrs GOWAN ROONEY 
OBE 
31 -
III. EMPLOYERS' REPRESENTATIVES 
a) Full members 
Belgium Mr LEONARD Mr DE LANGE 
Denmark Mr NIELSEN MrJEPSEN 
Germany Mr GUNKEL Mr SCHEEL 
Greece MrZIMALIS Mr 
TSAMOUSSOPOULOS 
Spain Mr TEIXIDO CAMPAS Mr MANZANO SANZ 
France Mr PEYRICAL Mrs CORMAN 
Ireland Mr O'HALLORAN Mr BRISCOE 
Italy Dr Mr GIUSTI 
CH1ACCHIARARELLI 
Luxembourg Mr SAUBER Dr METZLER 
Netherlands Mrs FRENKEL Mr KONING 
Austria Mrs SCHWENG Mr BRAUNER 
Portugal Mr COSTA TAVARES Mr PENA COSTA 
Finland Mr FORSS Mr KUIKKO 
Sweden Mr FROSTLING Mr LIND 
United Kingdom Dr ASHERSON Dr WHITE 
32 
b) Alternate members 
Belgium Mr PELEGRIN Mr DILLEN 
Denmark MrsJUHLER- Mr HOLMBOE BANG 
KRISTOFFERSEN 
Germany Mr BEEKHUIZEN Mr KUHLMANN 
Greece MrZACIIARIAS Mr KIRIAKOGGONAS 
Spain Mr MUNOZ MUGICA Mr MORENO UCELAY 
France Mr TASS1N Dr AUBRUN 
Ireland MrCASSIDY MrENRIGHT 
Italy DrGRAMPELLA Dr FREGOSO 
Luxembourg Mr WALERS Dr STELMES 
Netherlands Mr KROEZEN 
Austria Mr Franz DUNGL Mr Dietmar STIMITZER 
Portugal Mr FONTES MACHADO Mr BARROSO 
Finland Mr AHTELA Mrs LUOMALA 
Sweden Mrs TELL Mrs BJORG OSTLUND 
United Kingdom MrsJEYNES Mr CLARE 
-13-
07.07.97 
ANNEXC 
PLANNING 
Chairman 
Vice-chairman ; 
Rapporteur LIST OF WORKING GROUPS - 1997 
Mr VOS (G) 
Mr FONCK (W) 
Mr JEPSEN(E) 
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYERS 1 WORKERS 
ROCCA / IT " CORMAN / FR MELLISH / UK 
WALSH/IRL BORMANS/B SEDES / FR 
WEBER/LUX GIUSTI/IT CARCOBA/ES 
VOS / NE JEPSEN / DK 
DEAKINS/UK TASSIN / FR FONCK / B 
Official responsible : E. ROTHER - Tel. 32268 
PREGNANT WOMEN 
Chairman 
Vice-chairman 
Rapporteur Dr AUBRUN(E) 
Mrs PISSIMISSI (G) 
Mr MARTIN (W) 
GOVERNMENT I EMPLOYERS 1 WORKERS 
FAVENTI / IT WHITE / UK MORENO / ES 
PISSIMISSI/GR AUBRUN/FR PAUL / UK 
SAUNDERS/UK BORMANS / BE GRODZKI / BE 
MOGENS/DK FREY / D MARTIN / FR 
PETTERSON / SV | | PHILIPS / BE 
Official responsible : Dr ARESINI - Tel. 32260 
34 
OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LEVELS 
Chairman 
Vice-chairman 
Rapporteur Dr AUBRUN (E) 
Mr Wilders (W) 
Mr Steen (G) 
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYERS I ~ WORKERS 
JACKSON / UK " BEEKHUIZEN / DE MAGNAVITA/IT 
BOMBARDIERS/IT AUBRUN / FR KONSTANTY / DE 
KLEIN/DE JEPSEN/DK GRODZKI / BE 
STEEN / BE GRAMPELLA / IT MARTIN / FR 
HURMALA1NEN / FI [ BORMANS / BE | WILDERS / NL 
Official responsible : Mr Angelidis - Tel. 33747 
SCAFFOLDING 
Chairman 
Vice-chairman : 
Rapporteur Mr PELEGRIN (E) 
to be appointed (G) 
Mr KONSTANTY (W) 
GOVERNMENT I EMPLOYERS I WORKERS 
CANDREVA / IT PELEGRIN / BE NILSSON / SV 
MURRAY / UK STEINMAURER / AUT VERDE / BE 
PATTAY / SV FOUILLEROUX / FR KONSTANTY / DE 
MOCKELS / BE MACHADO / PO BRYSON / UK 
RODILLA / ES | BORMANS / BE | HELSTEN / BE 
Official responsible : Mr LOMMEL - Tel. 33871 
CARCINOGENS / MUTA GENS 
Chairman 
Vice-chairman : 
Rapporteur Mr FONCK (W) 
E. MELIN (G) 
MrJEPSEN(E) 
GOVERNMENT I EMPLOYERS I WORKERS 
RICHARDSON/UK AUBRUN / FR KONSTANTY/DE 
MONTAGUT/ES JEPSEN / DK FONCK/BE 
MELIN/SV ALESBURY/UK LAVENIUS/S 
KLEIN/DE BORMANS/B GRODZKI / BE 
LHERM / FR | VAN STEERTEGEM / B [ 
Official responsible : Dr ARESINI - Tel. 32260 
SELF-EMPLOYED WORKERS 
Chairman 
Vice-chairman : 
Rapporteur Mr HENRY(G) 
Mr PELEGRIN (E) 
Mr VOGEL (W) 
GOVERNMENT I EMPLOYERS I WORKERS 
BELL/ UK ' PELEGRIN/BE TUDOR /UK 
HENRY /IRL WHITE / UK MUR1E/ES 
HUUSKONEN/FI RIVAILLE / FR VOGEL / BE 
PICCOLI / FR RICHARD / B FROST / DK 
I GUNKEL / D I 
Official responsible : Mrs DELAVAL - Tel. 32781 
TRAINING 
Chairman Mrs GALLI (W) 
Vice-chairman: to be appointed (G) 
Rapporteur Mr DE LANGE (E) 
GOVERNMENT I EMPLOYERS I WORKERS 
RENHARDT / AUT DE LANGE / BE GALLI / IT 
CAWLEY/UK GIUST1/IT PHILIP/F 
WOOD/IRL GUNKEL / DE FREDERIKSEN / DK 
ARENAL/ES PYKETT/UK HALLORAN / IRL 
1 RICHARD /BE | VOGEL / BE 
Official responsible : Mrs Van Loon - Tel. 32034 
SOCIAL & ECONOMIC APPRAISAL 
Chairman Mr TUDOR (W) 
Vice-chairman : ROWE (G) 
Rapporteur Mr SCHEEL (E) 
GOVERNMENT I EMPLOYERS I WORKERS 
BEATSON / UK SCHEEL / DE TUDOR/UK 
NILSSON/SV ASHERSON/UK D'ERCOLE/IT 
ROWE7 1RL GAMBELLI/IR CYPRES / BE 
BAKKUM / NL BORMANS / B SCHRAMAUSER / AUT 
FRICHET / FR KRIS 1OIFERSEN / DK SAPIR / BE 
Official responsible : Mr HAIGH - Tel. 32734 
MUL TIDISCIPLINAR Y SER VICES / HE A L TH SUR VEILLANCE 
Chairman Mr TYOLÀJÀRVl (W) 
Vice-chairman : Mrs CORMAN (E) 
Rapporteur Mrs WOOD (G) 
GOVERNMENT I EMPLOYERS I WORKERS 
SAUNDERS / UK RICHARD / BE BENEDETTINl / IT 
LOPEZ / ES GIUSTI / IT POULSEN / DK 
BIENECK/DE CORMAN / FR TYOLAjARVI / FI 
ENGLUND / SV JANNERFELDT / S GIARDIN / LUX 
WOOD / IRL 1 DELANGE7B | VOGEL / BE 
Official responsible : Dr ALVAREZ - Tel. 34547 
STANDARDISA TION 
Chairman 
Vice-chairman 
Rapporteur Mr GIUSTI (E) 
MrTENGBERG(W) 
Mr WEBER (G) 
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYERS WORKERS 
ALVINO / IT GAMBELLI / FR ANGERMAIER / DE 
WEBER/LUX GIUSTI /IT GIBELLIER1 / IT 
FUREY/IRL SCHEEL/DE SAPIR/BE 
MEPPELDER / NL BORMANS / BE TENGBERG / SV 
TOMKINS/UK L1ND/SV PAZ / ES 
Other experts : 
Mr MERTENS, CENELEC 
Mr PLISSART, CEN 
Mr MENDOLA, European Commission - DG III Brussels 
Mr VAN GHELUWE, idem 
Mr BREKELMANS, idem 
Mr ROBERTS, idem 
Official responsible : Mr LOMMEL - Tel. 33871 
- 37 -
ANNEXD 
1997 TIMETABLE 
SUBJECT OF 
MEETING 
PLENARY 
PLANNING 
STANDARDISATON 
LIMIT VALUES 
PREGNANT WOMEN 
BIOLOGICAL AGENTS 
SCAFFOLDING 
SELF-EMPLOYED 
TRAINING 
SOC. ECON. APPRAISAL 
MULT!. SERV. 
CARCINOGENS 
WORKERS ! G 
EMPLOYERS' I.G. 
GOVERNMENT I.G. Days 
2 
3 
1 
1 
2 
1 
2 
1 
1 
1 
1 
3 
2 
2 
2 JA 
14 FE 
11 
25 
27 
26 MA 
14 
11 
4 AP 
22/23 MAY 
13 
15 
20 
27 JUNE 
6 
5GR 
16 JULY 
15GR 
18 (GR) 
8 SEP 
9 
4 
10 
11&12 OCT 
28/29 
7 NOV 
14 DEC 
3 
9 
5 
38 
ANNEX E 
Speech given by Commissioner Flynn 
Meeting of the Advisory Committee 
on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work 
22Aprill997 
Thank you very much, Dr Hunter. Good morning, Ladies and Gentlemen and Members of 
the Advisory Committee. 
I would like to join with Dr Hunter in welcoming you all to this, the 54th Committee 
meeting. 
Let me say straight away how glad I am to be here with you today and it provides me with 
the unique opportunity to address at the same time government, trade unions and 
employers' representatives and to express to you my personal recognition and that of the 
College of Commissioners for your contribution, your outstanding contribution to the 
development of Community health and safety policy. 
I would like also to express my regret to you for not being able to preside over the 
Committee on previous occasions and to address you directly as would have been my 
wish. I have asked Mr Larsson, the Director General, to chair your plenary meetings and 
to keep me regularly informed on the developments occurring in your forum - and this he 
does. 
You represent the social partners and national administrations, and in that capacity you 
represent the most knowledgeable in the field of health and safety right throughout 
Europe and, as such, I have great expectations from you to help us enter a new era to 
make working life safer and more productive. 
Now, as laid down in the 1974 Council Decision, "The Committee shall have the task of 
assisting the Commission in the preparation and implementation of activities in the field of 
safety, hygiene and health protection at work". 
It is a big charge that we have and I consider that the time is now right to put health and 
safety policy among the top priorities of the Community agenda and to raise public 
awareness on what has already been achieved and on what we are continuously striving 
for - namely better working conditions all across the Community. 
So let me start, if I may, by telling you why I am convinced that health and safety must be 
made a high-profile issue, and after that I would like to open the floor for your comments 
- you as the professionals and experts in the field 
39 
There are several good reasons to give a new impetus to the fight against accidents and 
for an active health and safety policy. 
Health and safety at work has always been one of the fundamental "missions of the 
European Union - set out in the Treaties and, more particularly, in Articles 117, 118 and 
118a of the EU Treaty. 
And, you know very well, since you have been the co-authors, in recent years this mission 
has led to the adoption and implementation of a series of directives. These directives draw 
up minimum requirements in a gradual manner, taking account of the conditions and 
technical regulations already existing in the Member States 
Close attention was paid to avoiding adminstrative, financial and legal constraints being 
imposed by the new legislation. We did not want to hinder the development and creation 
of small and medium-sized enterprises. 
However, we are now operating in a period where deregulation is to the fore. Some 
people refuse to acknowledge the effectiveness of these directives in improving health 
protection and workers' safety. Instead, they focus on the direct monetary cost to their 
company. 
Health and safety is a basic right - one which takes more and more a centre stage for us 
because we are talking here about human lives and public opinion is less and less willing 
to accept risks that are avoidable, could be prevented and are not kept to a minimum and I 
believe the public is right - we should not accept such risks 
Indeed, 6,000 workers who die every year as a result of accidents at work and the ten 
million who are the victims of work accidents and occupational diseases tell the story. 
And, that means that in a working day like this one today, like today, as we are gathered 
here in Luxembourg, twenty to thirty people will die and 40,000 are injured today or 
become ill because of work and these figures indicate clearly a level of human suffering -
one which can be avoided by increased prevention, safety measures and improved 
information for workers regarding the risks encountered and health and safety of workers 
deserves, first and foremost, to be a number one priority, based on both human and on 
social values. But I believe it can be equally argued that a successful health and safety 
policy is a productive factor too. 
Occupational accidents and diseases directly translate into problems for businesses and 
they also create a very heavy burden for social security systems such as health care, 
sickness benefit, insurance, disability pension and early retirement. 
I have read with great interest a study made by HSE, the UK Health and Safety 
Executive, indicating that the overall cost to the British economy of all work accidents 
and work-related ill health could be estimated to be bcivcen one and two per cent of GDP 
and, undeniably, this is a huge cost and a huge loss of economic resources. 
This demonstrates that improved health and safety is good business, it's a productive 
factor and it makes economic sense for society in general and business and government in 
particular. 
40/ 
If the cost of prevention is attributed entirely to business, then the cost of non-prevention, 
or rather accidents or illnesses resulting from non-prevention, will impact on (he economy 
of each country affecting social security systems and, ultimately of course, the Community 
as a whole. 
It is therefore at both levels of the individual Member States and the Union that we find it 
advisable to evaluate those risks and it will be more advantageous if debate is held at the 
level of "society" rather than limited to interested parties. 
At company level, are the benefits of health and safety at work ever measured in terms of 
prevention of absenteeism - therefore making it a clear promotion of competitiveness? 
I am proud that most of our major companies in Europe enforce stringent regulations 
regarding health and safety for their employees. They are fully aware that absenteeism as a 
result of accidents reduces production levels - and it also reduces morale. 
So, I would like to know, for example, the cost-benefit ratio of health and safety 
prevention services. 
Because you know, and I know, that illness and accidents at work create very heavy 
burdens on workers, on enterprises and on the social protection systems. 
So I ask you, would it be fair to say that taking account of health and safety factors 
renders European companies less competitive? 
Well, despite its senior role in both trade and international affairs, Europe, just like the 
United States, is a relatively autonomous economic entity. Production within Europe 
covers 92% of our needs - the remaining 8% being imports which are balanced, of course, 
against our exports, and trade within the Union has doubled in the last thirty years and it 
will increase with the lowering of trade barriers and as companies start to wake up to the 
size of the European market which is beckoning them forward. So we must not therefore 
be in fear of progressing European society. 
In the developed world outside of Europe, health and safety requirements at work are a 
reality - even if they sometimes differ in one way or another. We can only hope that, 
progressively with economic development, the other trading blocs will follow suit. And, 
even if this does not happen, it is no reason for us not to continue with our progress in 
health and safety issues - we clearly do not want any return to the situation that existed in 
the last century - we are preparing for the next one. 
At this time, the real challenge to take up is that of employment, we all recognise that and 
this challenge should not, however, be a pretext to reduce safety and health levels at the 
workplace - on the contrary. And, there must be total agreement that we cannot allow 
ourselves to compete by putting workers' health at risk. That is why we need European 
legislation and I am convinced that more focus on working conditions can bring the Union 
closer to the heart of its citizens. 
So, let me add that alongside the emergence of new forms of working, new organisation 
of work, working from home, remote work, subcontracting, our mission is to ensure that 
those workers involved also benefit from the same guarantees of health and safety. 
41' 
Health and safety at work issues need further precision regarding categories of workers 
temporarily in a weak position. Take for example the case of pregnant workers, those 
having just given birth or in nursing care, in order to prevent accidents and illnesses which 
could affect them or their children Indeed, the cost of lack of prevention could continue 
to take its toll over a number of years for the company. In the same way, close attention 
will have to be paid to working conditions for adolescents - we do not want to reduce the 
potential of the workforce of tomorrow. And there, the results of the comments from 
Member States are, of course, significant - young workers are more frequently the victims 
of accidents at work - either because they take the jobs with higher risks or their 
behaviour or inexperience increases the risk for them. 
Now, it is understandable that cyclical economic factors reveal difficulties which 
immediately take their toll as an additional risk and the solution is not to give up with the 
process - but rather to progress it. 
My next question is, how are we going to do all of this, if it's so important? 
The starting point: the 1995 Community Programme concerning safety, hygiene and 
health at work is, I believe, our point of departure. And, on that basis, and taking account 
of the developments of the last two years, we need to make the best use of the resources 
available to the Commission, the Member States and the social partners. 
A successful policy for health and safety requires an effective and, of course, an efficient 
machinery. So let me, therefore, add a few words about our resources and our 
organisation for health and safety at work and, as you know, all the different bodies 
dealing with health and safety are now subject to changes to improve their efficiency. 
An important element in the strategy must always be information and the aim is to 
promote health and safety in general, to enable enterprise to implement a high standard of 
health and safety. 
I am pleased that the Bilbao Agency has been set up and that it has started to develop a 
health and safety information network with the Member States - and this will produce 
preliminary results during the course of this year. 
In my view, the new information and communications technologies offer new 
opportunities to provide material on the best practice in health and safety to all sectors of 
industry - including small and medium-sized businesses, and I feel strongly that developing 
these opportunities will be an important part of our new information strategy. 
Now, the Commission keenly anticipates receiving comprehensive information and 
informative material from the Agency - the Agency benefiting, as you know, from many 
amongst you sitting on its Administrative Board. 
The Dublin Foundation, too, has a role to play and has adopted a long-term work 
programme. 
So you, the tripartite Advisory Committee, have engaged in a process of reform. 
Ladies and gentlemen, I am here today in order to encourage you, to encourage you, to 
also exercise social dialogue on occupational health and safety issues under the umbrella 
42/-
of this Committee, and this will foster a coheienl appioach acioss all seclois and ceitainK 
result in synergy and in progress 
Let me move on to the means with which we can do this. 
We have sound legislation which must be made comprehensive and it must be properly 
enforced, and we will do our best to help companies to apply it, especially the smaller 
companies and, in this connection, we have proposed, at the European Parliament's 
invitation, the SAFE Programme. Legislation is practically now in place and most of the 
current activities are on the right track. 
Also, I hope that the Council will adopt the "carcinogens" Directive in June of this year, 
and that a common position will be found during the Netherlands Presidency. 
The amended proposal for the Directive on explosive atmospheres has just been 
forwarded to the Council, hopefully making it possible for a common position during the 
Luxembourg Presidency. 
A second draft version of the draft proposal on scaffolding has been submitted to you for 
your opinion and, when we have results from the impact studies, we intend to hasten the 
proposal along to fruition. 
The adaptation to technical progress of the "biological agents" Directive is due to be 
submitted to the Commission during the second half of this year. 
With regard to the directives on limit values, the Commission hopes to adopt the third 
Directive comprising some 20 to 25 new elements between now and the next few months 
and, on this particular subject, after consultation with the Member States, the Commission 
hopes to be able to name the members of the Scientific Committee for Occupational 
Exposure Limits to Chemical Agents, and hopes to be able to publish them during the 
second semester. 
On the other hand, for the two exceptions to the "workplace" Directive which have not 
yet been handled, we have encountered some problems relating to economic sectors 
having a large number of self-employed workers. 
As you know, work on the proposal for agriculture has been suspended since the 
Copenhagen meeting in 1993. 
Furthermore, it is unacceptable that the transport proposal has been blocked for so long in 
Council. Indeed, the Commission has been looking for a solution to this very problem - as 
well as to the problem of the physical agents proposal held up now since 1992. 
Lastly, the Commission has prepared an evaluation in order to determine whether there is 
a need to adapt the "work on screen" Directive to technological development 
So, let me now move on to a second element: transposition - transposition of legislation 
into the various national laws. 
Almost all of the 54 directives that have been adopted in the social sector, two-thirds of 
them, involve health and safety at work issues. They are now in force and I have put on 
43/ 
record, and I want to say it again here today, my disappointment at the fact that Member 
States are not giving adequate priority to the implementation of health and safety 
legislation - they are not doing it and the Commission is actively engaged now in ensuring 
that the appropriate measures are taken where these measures are deemed necessary. 
And, although the situation relating to pre-1989 directives is better, it is good, I must say 
that for post-1989 directives implementation is far from satisfactory. In the light of the last 
assessment made by us in January this year it seems there may just be a certain lack of 
goodwill on the part of some Member States to fulfil their commitments and this, ladies 
and gentlemen, is inadmissible. The Commission has already referred some Member States 
to the Court of Justice and we will not hesitate to pursue these matters further if it's 
deemed necessary. Without full transposition, implementation and equivalent enforcement, 
there simply can be no level playing field between the Member States - I reiterate that it is 
fundamental that the Member States in question make all of the necessary efforts to 
redress the situation. Ladies and gentlemen, it is a disgrace that they have not already 
done so. 
Checking of conformity in respect of the communicated measures is now in hand and it is 
an important task which we are in the process of carrying out and in addition, in each 
Member State, each regulation must be applied correctly and must be applied fully. 
In order to promote equivalent enforcement in the Member States which will neither 
penalise certain workers nor distort competition between enterprises, the Commission set 
up the Senior Labour Inspectors Committee in 1995. 
As you know, this Committee deals mainly with questions related to the labour 
inspectorate and the enforcement of legislation, and this ensures the useful exchange of 
experience and enables harmonisation of strategies between the Member States on the 
problems and developments which the labour inspectorates have to face in the 
enforcement of Community health and safety legislation. 
1 would like to mention here the recent sessions focusing on certain industrial branches. 
These covered the construction industry, the automobile industry and the next session will 
be on the textile industry, and I am especially glad that one of the applicant countries for 
EU membership, namely Poland, is due to participate in this particular session. 
Seminars have already been held on subjects such as high-risk enterprises and information 
exchanges between the Member States in relation to market control of machines covered 
by the "machinery" Directive. In June this year there will be a seminar on the labour 
inspectorates' approach to small and medium-sized enterprises, and later this year on 
safety and health for workers in the waste sector. 
The Commission is engaged in a number of initiatives to develop the methodological basis 
for cost-benefit analysis and to build up evidenced examples of how well-managed health 
and safety can contribute to good business. A three-year contract has been launched to 
assess the scientific and the technical evaluation of the impact of health and safety policies 
in small and medium-sized enterprises. 
You have been asked to advise on a methodology for assessing the socio-economic 
impact of proposed health and safety legislation. Furthermore, the Dutch Presidency will 
focus on the cost and the benefit of occupational health and safety with a conference in 
44/ 
May of this year. So we need facts and we need sound arguments, and 1 am quite sure that 
we are going to be able to deliver them. But, of course, it is necessary to provide 
assistance to enterprises and particularly to small enterprises for the practical application 
of all of this legislation. 'O' 
As I mentioned before, the Commission has proposed the SAFE Programme upon an 
invitation from the European Parliament. The general purpose here is to make the 
legislation accessible, visible and efficient to small and medium-sized enterprises, for 
example through the exchange of good experience. 
SAFE PR events shall raise awareness amongst employers and workers on safety and 
health issues in the workplace and the main target of such events would be those 
employers who otherwise would not have even considered or would have neglected to 
properly address these issues for which they are responsible. Now these events, they are 
going to offer the opportunity for them to get in touch with health and safety at work 
issues and shall demonstrate to them that there are practical and efficient ways of 
addressing all of these issues. 
Every single PR event will take place at the premises of the enterprise and give practical 
demonstrations of innovative solutions to a certain theme in response to any requirements 
of any of the directives on safety and health at work. Now, the chosen theme shall apply 
and appeal greatly to the target group. The practical solutions implemented by the host 
firm shall be shown to the public and especially to the media. The presence of key persons 
at events is likely to influence the extent of media coverage favourably, and to do it most 
favourably, and thus have an important impact on the perception of this event by the 
public in general and by the target group in particular. 
The experience of the host enterprise on the theme of the event shall be thoroughly 
documented in a way that allows its integration in a database on good practices which is 
being collated and managed by the European Agency down in Bilbao. The documentation 
shall not merely describe the achieved results, but also explain the ways leading to the 
result as well as the reasons why the final solution was preferred to other possible ones 
and their respective economic assessment. Any audio-visual material produced at the core 
action will be included, except where copyright issues become prohibitive. 
A pilot project aimed at assessing the feasibility of the concept is being prepared jointly by 
the Euro Info Centres of Luxembourg, Nuremberg and Den Bosch. The experience gained 
from these first three projects will be used as a model to cover gradually the whole 
territory of the Union. So, in order to make this a success, your help will be appreciated 
and I am asking you today for your help to make this effort a success. 1 am inviting you as 
well, I am inviting you, to propose to my services any enterprise known to you that you 
consider appropriate for hosting a SAFE PR event. There is nobody in this room that does 
not know where a good practice and a good experience is on display in the workplace -
we would like to hear about it so that we can pick the best, get the good experience and 
duplicate and replicate it right across the Union. 
Let me move just for a moment to the question of health and safety in the enlargement 
process and particularly in our international relations. Ladies and gentlemen, you will 
appreciate that high on our list of priorities is, of course, the whole question of 
enlargement. We are going to constantly hear this matter discussed in more depth from 
45/ 
this point on and I acknowledge that this clearly means additional work lor everybody 
involved in the whole process. And, of course, applicant countries will be obliged to 
ensure that by the date of accession they have their legislation in line with European Union 
legislation. And what does that mean-in effect, ladies and gentlemen9 It means for the area 
for which I am responsible and where you too have a responsibility, some 50 legal acts, 
two-thirds of which come under health and safety - and that is quite a workload for the 
accession countries. 
In this perspective, a high standard of implementation of European Union legislation in all 
the Member States is a prerequisite for the establishment of that level playing field that I 
spoke about, where enterprises in the enlarged European Union compete on quality, 
productivity, innovation and not by putting workers' health at risk. 
So dialogue is necessary and dialogue already established between the Commission with 
the applicant countries has improved, it has improved their understanding too of the 
acquis communautaire. In this context, I am very pleased to note that cooperation 
between the senior labour inspectors of the PECO countries and the Senior Labour 
Inspectors Committee is well established now, and 1 am sure that this will contribute to 
facilitating the process of adaptation in these countries. 
Now, our future colleagues in the area of health and safety have expressed a wish to 
receive as much support as possible and the Commission as such is making every effort to 
fulfil this wish, but there are areas which are clearly, of course, outside the Commission's 
competence. Areas which, for example, relate to participation of the social partners in the 
preparation of legislation, and I would encourage you to let them share your experience, 
and to let them share your expertise. I am convinced that with your help they can 
overcome a lot of the problems that they are certainly going to encounter. 
After having presented some considerations now, for making health and safety a high-
profile issue, and my ideas on the content of the strategy, I would like to draw to a close 
in the following words. 
1 am here, ladies and gentlemen, to seek your advice, to seek your support for this plan of 
action. 1 have, as I said at the beginning, very great expectations of you to help us to place 
health and safety at the top of the political agenda. It cannot be a successful strategy 
unless this house here gives that wholehearted support. 
Now, our next meeting is scheduled for the end of October this year Until then I will give 
wide publicity to our plans, mainly by making a presentation of these plans at the 
conference on safety and health arranged by the Dutch Presidency at the end of May and a 
high-level seminar during the Luxembourg Presidency, to which you are all invited to 
46 
contribute iMMÎ yoti aie all invited to pari ici |>u4c - I enctHwai^e you please io do so Mi 
LarssoH, our Director General, has promised to come back to IHC before the end of this 
year with a comprehensive strategy for achieving a higher political profile for health and 
safety at work wd I am greatly looking forward to thai strategy and the outline that will 
be etmtmmâ therein 
Finally, I want to thank you all, not only for your good attention which I appreciate this 
morning, but for what ! arn sure will be fruitful cooperation and for the very special efforts 
1 anticipate from you to deliver your opinion on this document at your next plenary 
session. 1 thank you for your kind attention, thank you very much 
47 contribute «MM! yoti aie atl invited to paiticijwitc - I enctHwai^e you please io do so Mi 
Larsson, our Director 'General, has promised to come back to me before the and of this 
year- with a comprehensive strategy for achieving a higher political profile for health and 
safety at work wd I am greatly looking forward to that strategy and the outline that will 
be contained therein 
Finally, I want to thank you ail, not only for your good attention which 1 appreciate this 
morning, but for what 1 am sure will be fruitfijl cooperation and for the very special efforts 
1 anticipate from you to deliver your opinion on this document at your next plenary 
session. 1 thank you for your kind attention, thank you very much 
47 contribute Mvà yo*i aie all invited to paiticijwitc - I enctHwai^e you please to do so Mi 
Larsson, our Director General, has promised to come back to me before the and of this 
year- with a comprehensive strategy for achieving a higher political profile for health and 
safety at work wd I am greatly looking forward to that strategy and the outline that will 
be contamed therein 
Finally, I want to thank you all, not only for your good attention which 1 appreciate this 
morning, but for what 1 am sure will be fruitfijl cooperation and for the very special efforts 
1 anticipate from you to deliver your opinion on this document at your next plenary 
session. 1 thank you for your kind attention, thank you very much 
47 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(98) 522 final 
DOCUMENTS 
EN 05 04 16 
Catalogue number : CB-CO-98-706-EN-C 
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities 
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