WRITTEN QUESTION E-2058/01

by Joaquim Miranda (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(13 July 2001)

Subject: Prevention of occupational diseases

Council Directive 89/391/EEC(1) of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work states, in its Article 5, that the employer shall have a duty to ensure the safety and health of workers in every aspect related to the work.

Despite this, in Portugal work-related tendinitis has been on the rise since 1992. In 1994, 150 employees of Ford Electrónica were already suffering from this disease. Today, in the electrical sector and in southern Portugal alone, 1500 workers aged under 30, employed by such firms as Visteon (formerly Ford Electrónica), Indelma, Delphi, Deta, Pioneer, Samsung, Legrand Eléctrica and Tyco, have been confirmed as suffering from tendinitis, and the same fate could soon await thousands of others.

One of the factors common to enterprises where tendinitis is rife is the so-called modernisation of work. The labour process is characterised by mechanisation, fragmentation of production and a high degree of specialisation. This means an increase in the number of tasks which place high physical demands on the hands, arms and shoulders and which call for fast, exact and repetitive movements, which may require considerable straining, difficult postures and the use of force.

In spite of the warnings issued and proposals made by the trade union for the sector, on the basis of studies and scientific opinions emanating from specialists and national and international organisations, it is clear that not a single one of the companies located in Portugal in which there is a high incidence of tendinitis has introduced any kind of workplace health and safety programme aimed at preventing repetitive strain injuries. On the contrary, the workers affected are expected, after treatment and convalescence, to return to work under the same conditions as created the illness in the first place; and if they are replaced, it is by new workers who will very soon develop similar illnesses and, over time, become victims of occupational disease.

Can the Commission state whether it is aware of this situation, how far it believes it is compatible with EU legislation, and what type of action is provided for in EU law to ensure that suitable health and safety conditions are created in workplaces with a view to preventing the development of injuries of this kind?

(1) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(4 September 2001)

The Honourable Member is asked to refer to the answers given by the Commission to written questions E-3198/95(1) and E-382/97(2) by Mr Sérgio Ribeiro.

The Commission also informs the Honourable Member that it is aware of the frequency and significance of musculoskeletal problems at work and is currently examining possible Community measures to ensure more effective prevention of such problems.

The Commission is assisted in this work by the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work which, at its plenary meeting of 15 May 2001, adopted a specific opinion on musculoskeletal disorders at work. The Commission will forward a copy of that opinion directly to the Honourable Member and to Parliament's Secretariat-General.

(1) OJ C 109, 15.4.1996.

(2) OJ C 217, 17.7.1997.