WRITTEN QUESTION E-1187/01 by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Work-related accidents in the European Union.
Date: 2001-04-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU action, accident prevention, occupational accident, occupational health, occupational safety, public awareness campaign, small and medium-sized enterprises, statistics

4.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 340 E/193

More specifically, projects to support the media and strengthen civil society figure in the Commission(cid:146)s
2001 cooperation programme with Tunisia. Since the Association Agreement entered into force, we have
also decided to make exhaustive use of all possibilities for dialogue at every level. We will therefore
continue to intensify our political dialogue, and through it we will also address particular cases which may
concern both sides.

The Commission believes that Tunisia has made considerable progress in terms of both economic health
and social stability, and so ought to be ready to make a start on ambitious reforms in the field of civil
liberties and political pluralism. It should also be ready to adopt practical affirmative measures, through
which its ties with the Union may be strengthened, as it wishes. Indeed, it is impossible for any society to
achieve its full potential without involving its citizens fully in the decision-making process.

(2001/C 340 E/222)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1187/01

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: Work-related accidents in the European Union

(19 April 2001)

A recent study by Eurostat into the situation of workers in the EU reveals that, in 1998, 4,7 million work-
related accidents occurred in the EU, of which (again according to the report) 5 476 out of every 100 000
were fatal.

Age plays an important role in the accident rate: the average number of accidents amongst workers
between the ages of 18 and 24 is 5725, although this figure falls by almost half in the case of workers
between the ages of 45 and 54.

All of these figures vary according to type of work: the highest rate was recorded in the construction
industry, where 8 008 accidents (including 13 fatal ones) occurred for every 100 000 workers. Sex is
a further risk factor: for every 100 000 workers a total of 5 292 fatal accidents occurred involving men,
but in the case of women the figure was only 1 890.

In addition to their effects on individuals, accidents at work carry a high socio-economic cost, since it is
calculated that, in 1998, such accidents caused the loss in the EU of approximately 149 working hours per
worker.

In view of the above figures, is the Commission intending to do anything to encourage the governments of
the Member States to adopt more stringent measures which may help to cut the rate of accidents at work?
If so, is there any EU initiative which is designed to promote working attitudes and practices which may
lead to greater safety at work?

Answer given by Mrs Diamantopoulou on behalf of the Commission

(21 June 2001)

The Commission fully shares the Honourable Member(cid:146)s concern about the work-related accident situation
in the Community.

Nevertheless, these 1988 (1) data (cid:129) the most recent available (cid:129) show an improvement at European level in
both the rate of work accidents with more then three days(cid:146) absence (4 089 per 100 000 employed persons
in 1998, compared with 4 229 in 1996 and 4 539 in 1994) and the rate of fatal work accidents (5,0 per
100 000 employed persons in 1998 compared with 5,3 in 1996 and 6,1 in 1994). These figures include
traffic accidents and accidents on board all means of transport during work.

These statistical indicators show that the application at European level of Community legislation on safety
and health protection for workers at work has had a positive effect in terms of improving working
conditions by reducing accident rates. In other words, the legislation, when correctly applied, improves the
health and safety of workers at work.

C 340 E/194

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

4.12.2001

The Commission feels that it is the task of the Member States to promote and ensure the correct and
effective application of the national measures implementing the Community directives.

Since 1992 the Commission has supported several initiatives to boost the awareness of the various parties
concerned, at European level and in close cooperation with the Member States, with a view to improving
the effectiveness of measures adopted in this field.

These were:

(cid:129) the European Year of Health and Safety at Work (1992);

(cid:129) (cid:145)PRevent(cid:146) actions (2) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as part of the Safety Actions for
Europe Programme (SAFE) in 1997 and 1998, which will continue under the new initiative for SMEs
launched with the creation of a specific line in the Community budget which will be managed by the
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work in Bilbao;

(cid:129) several (cid:145)European Weeks(cid:146), which the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work in Bilbao is now
responsible for organising. In 2000 the European Week(cid:146)s subject was musculoskeletal disorders, and in
October 2001 the theme will be the prevention of accidents at work.

Finally, the Honourable Member(cid:146)s attention is drawn to the preparation of the new Community strategy on
safety and health at work, which will establish a framework for future action to achieve an ongoing
improvement in working conditions for European workers.

(1) ESAW data (European Statistics on Accidents at Work) from Eurostat, http://www.cc.cec/eurostat/eudor-stat/mst3/

en/titres.htm.

(2) Awareness actions on safety and health at work in general as well as the promotion and exchange of best practices

in SMEs.

(2001/C 340 E/223)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1188/01

by Juan Naranjo Escobar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 April 2001)

Subject: Techniques for detecting meat from animals fed on illegal feedingstuffs

A technique devised by Spanish researchers at the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cient(cid:237)ficas [= Senior
Scientific Research Council] is capable of determining whether nor not any bovine product (meat, skin,
horns, hooves) comes from a beast fed on meal containing any kind of meat, which in the case of
ruminant animals has been banned since 1994.

Initial trials of the technique carried out on 350 samples of animals and of meat purchased in Spanish
shops proved highly successful and information regarding the technique has already been conveyed to the
Spanish Government.

Does the Commission not think that it should provide support to help consolidate the initial (and highly
encouraging) results of the technique by approving the latter and by providing a major share of the
funding required to finance relevant research work?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(26 June 2001)

The Commission is aware of the new testing method being developed in Spain to detect meat and bone
meal in feed and whether cattle have been fed such meal, and is carefully considering the scientific validity
of the method and will consider authorising its use, should trials prove to be satisfactory.