A4-0099/96

Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a programme of non-legislative measures to improve health and safety at work (COM(95)0282 - C4-0386/95 - 95/0155(CNS))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Title

>Original text>

Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a programme of non-legislative measures to improve health and safety at work

>Text following EP vote>

Proposal for a Council Decision adopting a Community programme to improve safety, hygiene and health at work

(Amendment 2)

Recital 3a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas it is important to create a stimulating and psychologically sound working environment in which human resources are used to best advantage, thus giving the undertaking increased flexibility and greater job satisfaction;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 5a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas in order to help raise that awareness the European Parliament, in its resolution of 6 May 1994 on the General Framework for action by the Commission in the field of safety, hygiene and health protection at work (1994 to 2000)1, proposed the creation of a programme to be called Safety Action for Europe (SAFE);

>Text following EP vote>

1 OJ C 205, 25.7.1994, p. 478.

(Amendment 4)

Recital 10

>Original text>

Whereas there exist other Community programmes and initiatives fully or partly relevant as regards health and safety at work and therefore there is a need to ensure consistency between various Community actions;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas there exist other Community programmes and initiatives fully or partly relevant as regards health and safety at work and therefore there is a need to ensure consistency and budgetary complementarity between various Community actions;

(Amendment 5)

Article 1

>Original text>

A Community programme of non-legislative measures to improve health and safety at work is adopted for a five-year period, from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 2000.

The programme shall consist of:

- guidance notes and core information material to help apply correctly the Community legislation; improving information, education and training; investigating key problem areas as referred to in Annex I,

>Text following EP vote>

A Community programme (SAFE - Safety Action for Europe) to improve safety and health and prevent or reduce occupational risks, particularly in small and medium-sized enterprises, is adopted for a five-year period, from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 2000.

>Original text>

- the SAFE (Safety Action for Europe) programme referred to in Annex II aimed at improving safety, hygiene and health at work, in particular in small and medium-sized enterprises.

(Amendment 6)

Article 1a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Article 1a

The programme shall have the general objective of supporting at European level actions designed to improve the work environment, work organization and working practices by

>Text following EP vote>

- promoting the development of practical solutions to workplace risks,

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- providing support for the identification and dissemination of best practices for combating occupational accidents and diseases,

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- suggesting means of effectively applying legislation on health and safety at work in enterprises,

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- promoting innovative approaches to emerging areas of occupational risk,

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- promoting education and training aimed at improving knowledge of Community legislation and awareness as regards the working environment.

(Amendment 7)

Article 2

>Original text>

The Commission shall ensure implementation of the action set out in Annexes I and II in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 in close cooperation with the Member States and the institutions and organizations active in safety, hygiene and health at work.

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall ensure implementation of the action set out in Annex II in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 in close cooperation with the Member States and the institutions and organizations active in safety, hygiene and health at work.

(Amendment 8)

Article 3

>Original text>

The Commission shall ensure that there is consistency and complementarity between the Community action to be implemented under this programme and the other relevant Community programmes and initiatives.

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall ensure that there is consistency and complementarity between the Community action to be implemented under this programme, other relevant Community programmes and initiatives as well as the work carried out by the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work in a strict framework of budgetary transparency.

(Amendment 9)

Article 4

>Original text>

1. The action referred to in Annex I shall be carried out by the Community, the Member States, management and labour and public or private organizations. Applications for the financing of the action shall be submitted to the Commission.

2. The action referred to in the Annex II shall be carried out by the Member States, management and labour and public or private organizations. Applications for the financing of the action shall be submitted to the Commission.

>Text following EP vote>

1. The action referred to in Annex II shall be carried out by the Member States, management and labour and public or private organizations.

2. Applications for the financing of the action shall be submitted either to the Commission by the competent bodies designated by the Member States or directly to the Commission. Copies of all applications shall be sent to the Commission and to the competent body of the Member State concerned.

>Text following EP vote>

2a. In the case of multilateral projects the participants mentioned in paragraph 1 shall decide which competent body shall submit the application to the Commission. However, where the application is submitted directly to the Commission, copies shall be forwarded to each competent body of the Member States concerned.

(Amendment 10)

Article 5

>Original text>

The selection of the projects to be financed and the determination of the financial assistance to be granted in conformity with the objectives and criteria set out in Annexes I, II and III, shall follow the procedure provided for in Article 6(2).

>Text following EP vote>

The selection of the projects to be financed and the determination of the financial assistance to be granted in conformity with the objectives and criteria set out in Annexes II and III shall follow the procedure provided for in Article 6.

>Text following EP vote>

The Community financial contribution shall be:

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- in general a maximum rate of up to 60%,

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- up to 90% for SMEs of less than 50 employees.

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A balanced geographical coverage should be taken into account in the projects financed under this programme.

(Amendment 11)

Article 6, lst paragraph

>Original text>

The Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an advisory nature composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission.

>Text following EP vote>

Without prejudice to the role of the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work, the Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an advisory nature composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by a representative of the Commission.

(Amendment 12)

Article 6, 4th paragraph a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Meetings of the committee shall in principle be open to the public unless subject to an explicit, duly reasoned decision to the contrary, published in good time. The committee shall publish its agendas two weeks before the meetings. It shall publish the minutes of its meetings. It shall draw up a public register of its members' declarations of interests.

(Amendment 13)

Article 6a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Article 6a

The Commission may consult the committee referred to in Article 6 on any question concerning the application of this Decision.

>Text following EP vote>

Whenever such consultation takes place, two representatives of employers' organizations and two representatives of workers' organizations, appointed by the Commission on the basis of proposals from the groups of members representing employers' organizations and trade unions on the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work, shall participate in the work of the committee as observers.

>Text following EP vote>

They shall have the right to request that their position be recorded in the minutes of committee meetings.

(Amendment 14)

Article 8(1), 2nd subparagraph (new)

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall set up, where appropriate with the assistance of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, an information point for small and medium-sized enterprises and other applicant organizations to offer practical advice in formulating and developing project proposals. The information point shall provide details of local and national contacts involved in the health and safety area. It shall also offer a helpline and full on-line service.

(Amendment 15)

Article 8(1a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

1a. The Commission shall develop standard criteria concerning the dissemination of the results of the actions undertaken by this programme. These criteria shall include guidelines for:

>Text following EP vote>

- promoting the results of the projects to the press, employers, employees and interested parties,

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- involving elected representatives in the promotion of the results.

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The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work may be consulted in the development of these criteria.

(Amendment 16)

Article 8(2)

>Original text>

2. The Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee a mid-term report on the action undertaken, as well as an overall report by 31 December 2001.

>Text following EP vote>

2. The results of the programme shall be evaluated objectively by the Commission with the assistance of external organizations including, where appropriate, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. On the basis of these findings the Commission shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work, not later than 30 June 1998, a mid-term report on the action undertaken, including a detailed study on the responsibilities and the activities undertaken on this matter by the specialised agencies concerned, as well as, not later than 30 June 2001, an overall assessment report demonstrating the impact of the programme on the structures and population groups targeted by the action.

(Amendment 17)

ANNEX I

>Text following EP vote>

Annex I is deleted

(Amendment 18)

ANNEX II

>Original text>

SAFE (Safety Action For Europe) aimed at improving safety, hygiene and health at work, in particular in small and medium-sized enterprises.

(1996-2000)

1.1. SAFE (Safety Action For Europe) will support projects of a practical nature intended to demonstrate:

- the promotion of improvements in the work situation specifically directed at safety, hygiene and health at work, especially in small and medium-sized enterprises;

- the improvements in the organization of work practice which influence attitudes towards health and safety at work, in order to reduce work accidents and occupational diseases.

1.2. One of the objectives of the SAFE programme is therefore to support practices designed to improve the work situation, work organization and work practices which may be directed towards a specific problem impacting on health and safety at the workplace or by demonstrating best practices to combat work accidents and/or occupational diseases or at the ways and means of effectively complying with Community legislation in individual enterprises or undertakings.

>Text following EP vote>

Actions to improve standards of safety and health at work, in particular in small and medium-sized enterprises

(1996-2000)

The programme is to support practical projects designed to improve the working environment as regards the safety and health of workers, in line with the general objectives set out in Article 1a. In particular, it will support projects relating to one or more of the following points:

1. Development of reference workplaces which have developed practical solutions to workplace risks and which can serve as models;

2. Initiatives in the field of information, training and education designed to improve knowledge of health and safety legislation and improve awareness of safety and health at work;

3. Projects which provide guidance on safety and health measures relevant to one or more sectors of activity, especially in more than one Member State;

4. Innovative approaches to emerging areas of risk or to high-risk activities including the use of safe and/or clean technologies.

>Original text>

1.3. This is why the SAFE programme will also support the development of reference workplaces which have developed practical solutions to workplace risks and which will serve as models for others who would like to change existing workplaces or design new ones. It will also promote innovative approaches to emerging areas of risk or to high risk activities, whether this is by promoting the use of safe and/or clean technologies, or by other innovative measures.

>Original text>

1.4. Support will also be provided for specific education and training initiatives designed to improve knowledge of Community legislation and improve awareness of the working environment.

>Original text>

1.5. The SAFE programme will also consider projects prepared by European organizations, individual enterprises, employers or workers. Such projects should provide guidance for decisions concerning measures to be put into practice throughout entire sectors of activity especially in more than one Member State.

(Amendment 19)

ANNEX III(I)

>Original text>

I. General criteria

>Text following EP vote>

I. General criteria

>Original text>

In order to be eligible for selection, the projects submitted must meet all the following criteria:

- have a good cost-effectiveness ratio;

- generate a European plus value eg through a lasting multiplier effect on European scale;

- demonstrate an effective and balanced degree of cooperation between the various partners at the levels of:

- project design;

- project implementation;

- financial participation.

>Text following EP vote>

In order to be eligible for Community assistance, the projects submitted must meet all the following criteria:

1. generate a European added value;

2. be relevant to the needs of SMEs;

3. have a good cost-effectiveness ratio;

4. specify expected outcomes and how they will be measured;

5. aim at outcomes that can be transferred;

6. specify a means of disseminating those outcomes;

7. avoid duplicating projects carried out at national level;

8. demonstrate resources commitment from partners involved in the project;

9. demonstrate the necessity of Community funding.

(Amendment 28)

ANNEX III(II)

>Original text>

II. Evaluation criteria

>Text following EP vote>

II. Other criteria

>Original text>

Priority will be given to projects satisfying, as far as possible, the following criteria. They should:

>Text following EP vote>

Priority will be given to actions which meet one or more of the following criteria: They must:

>Original text>

- contribute to the prevention of causes of accidents and occupational diseases rather than remedying their effects;

- facilitate the lasting integration of health and safety at work in the enterprises management or in the quality management of products;

- promote the transfer and exploitation of innovative experiments on an European scale;

- promote social dialogue;

- promote permanent efforts rather than quantified results;

- encourage innovation and entrepreneurial activity, in particular in high risk activities;

- support the development of practical solutions to workplace risks;

>Text following EP vote>

1. contribute to the prevention of accidents and health risks (rather than remedying their effects) and promote mental health protection;

2. encourage innovation in particular in high risk activities;

3. have an innovative character;

4. support the development of practical solutions to workplace risks;

5. aim to address proven risks which either already affect or have the potential to affect workers and offer substantial reductions in those risks;

6. demonstrate likely effectiveness beyond the life of the project, e.g. by integrating health and safety into management practices;

7. promote social dialogue and cooperation between firms;

>Original text>

- support cooperation between firms;

- support improved information exchange, education and training;

- contribute also to the implementation of action programmes or Community policies concerning:

- lifelong learning;

- equal opportunities;

- integration of the disabled;

- bringing back to employment the long-term unemployed;

- prevention of accidents to the public (domestic, sport, road, etc.);

- sectoral policies (to be specified);

- other programmes or policies (to be specified).

>Text following EP vote>

8. contribute also to the implementation of action programmes or Community policies concerning:

- lifelong learning;

- equal opportunities;

- integration of the disabled;

- bringing back to employment the long-term unemployed;

- prevention of accidents to the public (domestic, sport, road, etc.);

- sectoral policies (to be specified);

- other programmes or policies (to be specified).

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Decision adopting a programme of non-legislative measures to improve health and safety at work (COM(95)0282 - C4-0386/95 - 95/0155(CNS))

(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(95)0282 - 95/0155(CNS) ((OJ C 262, 7.10.1995, p. 18.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 235 of the EC Treaty (C4-0386/95),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Social Affairs and Employment and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets, the Committee on Legal Affairs and Citizens' Rights and the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Consumer Protection (A4-0099/96),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

4. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.