Report from the Commission - 25th Annual activity Report of the advisory Committee on safety, hygiene and health protection at work 2000
Date: 2002-02-15
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: activity report, advisory committee (EU), health policy, occupational health, occupational safety

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 15.02.2002
COM(2002) 52 final

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION

25th ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
SAFETY, HYGIENE AND HEALTH PROTECTION AT WORK

2000

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................... 4

1.

1.1.

1.2.

2.

2.1.

2.2.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COMMITTEE.......................................................... 5

Origin, competence and remit ...................................................................................... 5

Structure, procedure ..................................................................................................... 6

ACTIVITIES IN 2000.................................................................................................. 7

24th activity report of the Advisory Committee .......................................................... 8

Opinions adopted ......................................................................................................... 8

2.2.1. Committee opinion (document No 842/1/00) on draft mandates for

standardisation addressed to European standardisation organisations and
figuring in documents 62/99, 69/99, 71/99, 4/2000, 5/2000 and 3/2000..................... 8

2.2.2. Committee opinion, requested by the Commission, on drawing up the new social

policy agenda .............................................................................................................. 9

2.2.3. Committee opinion (document No 1950/00)on draft standardisation mandates

addressed to European standardisation organisations and figuring in documents
16/2000, 18/2000, 72/99 rev. 1, 19/2000 and 4/2000 rev. 1. ....................................... 9

2.2.4. Committee opinion (document No 3103/00) on the restructuring of committees in

the field of safety, hygiene and health at work ...................................................... 10

2.2.5. Committee opinion requested by the Commission on an amendment to the "signs"

Directive 92/58/EEC................................................................................................. 12

2.2.6. Committee opinion on the draft work programme for the Bilbao Agency for 200112

2.3.

Operational procedures .............................................................................................. 13

2.3.1. Work programme 2001 .............................................................................................. 13

3.

ACTIVITIES OF THE AD HOC GROUPS/END-OF-YEAR STRUCTURE ......... 14

3.1.

Ad hoc groups active in 2000 and continuing their activities in 2001....................... 14

3.1.1.

Planning ..................................................................................................................... 14

3.1.2.

Standardisation........................................................................................................... 14

3.1.3. Occupational exposure levels..................................................................................... 14

3.1.4. Multidisciplinary protective and preventive services/Medical surveillance of workers14

3.1.5.

Prevention of violence at work .................................................................................. 15

3.1.6. Guidelines for chemical agents .................................................................................. 15

3.1.7. Report on the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work............................... 15

3.1.8. Musculo-skeletal disorders......................................................................................... 15

2

3.2.

Creation of ad hoc groups in 2000 ............................................................................. 15

3.2.1.

Teleworking (document No 0905/99)........................................................................ 15

3.2.2. Occupational diseases (document No 0858/00)......................................................... 15

3.2.3. ATEX (document No 3453/00).................................................................................. 16

3.3.

Dissolution of ad hoc groups ..................................................................................... 16

3.3.1. Management systems ................................................................................................. 16

3.3.2. Asbestos ..................................................................................................................... 16

3.3.3. Restructuring of the committees ................................................................................ 16

4.

4.1.

4.2.

4.3.

4.4.

4.5.

4.6.

4.7.

4.8.

COOPERATION WITH OTHER BODIES .............................................................. 17

Safety and Health Commission.................................................................................. 17

Senior Labour Inspectors' Committee........................................................................ 17

Scientific Committee for Occupational Exposure Limits to Chemical Agents ......... 17

Social partners............................................................................................................ 17

Trade Union Technical Bureau .................................................................................. 17

International Labour Office........................................................................................ 18

European Foundation ................................................................................................. 18

Bilbao European Agency ........................................................................................... 18

ANNEX A ................................................................................................................................ 19

ANNEX B ................................................................................................................................ 21

ANNEX C ................................................................................................................................ 30

ANNEX D ................................................................................................................................ 36

3

SUMMARY

25th ANNUAL ACTIVITY REPORT OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON
SAFETY, HYGIENE AND HEALTH PROTECTION AT WORK

2000

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  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  and  alternate  members  of  the  Committee  are  appointed  by  the  Council,
which, for information purposes, publishes the list of members in the Official Journal of the
European  Communities.  The  Committee  is  chaired  by  a  Member  of  the  Commission  or,
where  he  or  she  is  prevented  from  so  doing,  by  a  Commission  official  designated  by  the
chairperson.

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.

In  2000,  the  Committee  met  twice  in  Luxembourg.  At  both  meetings,  the  Commission
informed  the  Committee  of  developments  with  regard  to  all  matters  concerning  safety,
hygiene and health protection at work.

The Committee adopted the annual activity report for 1999, together with six opinions which
are reviewed in section 2.2 of this report, and looked at potential subjects for its 2001 work
programme.

4

1. 

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE COMMITTEE

1.1. 

Origin, competence and 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)

b)

c)

d)

e)

to  conduct,  on  the  basis  of  information  available  to  it,  exchanges  of  views  and
experience regarding existing or planned rules and regulations;

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;

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;

to  define,  within  the  framework  of  Community  action  programmes,  and  in
cooperation  with  the  Safety  and  Health  Commission  for  the  Mining  and  other
Extractive Industries:

– 

– 

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;

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.

5

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 establish ad hoc groups under the chairmanship of a Committee member.
The  results  of  their  proceedings  are  submitted  in  the  form  of  a  report  at  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  rules  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.

Liaison  between  the  members  of  the  government  interest  group  is  the  responsibility  of  a
Committee  member  who  represents  the  government  of  the  country  holding  the  Presidency.
Liaison  between  members  of  the  employers’  group  is  the  responsibility  of  the  Union  of
Industrial  and  Employers’  Confederations  of  Europe  (UNICE),  while  the  European  Trade
Union  Confederation  (ETUC),  a  workers’  trade  union  organisation  at  Community  level,  is
responsible for coordinating the position of workers’ representatives.

The Commission provides secretarial services for the Committee and the ad hoc groups. The
Secretariat comes under Directorate-General EMPL (Unit D/5).

6

2. 

ACTIVITIES IN 2000

On 18 December 2000, the Council, acting on a proposal from the Member States, appointed
the full members and alternate members of the Committee for the period from 18 December
2000 to 17 December 2003, with the previous term of office having run from 7 July 1997 to 6
July 2000. The two lists showing the members in 2000 are contained in Annex B.

In  2000,  the  Committee  met  on  two  occasions  in  Luxembourg,  in  May  and  December.  At
each meeting the Commission informed the Committee of developments with regard to all the
matters concerning safety, hygiene and health protection at work.

Meetings of the interest groups representing governments, employers and workers were held
on  the  day  before  the  Committee  meetings.  Two  additional  meetings  of  the  interest  groups
were held during the year.

Progress made by the Committee in its activities during 2000 mirrored the work undertaken
by the Commission under the Community programme covering the period from 1996 to 2000.

The  proposed  activities  and  priorities  were  put  to  the  Committee  by  the  planning  group,
which met on three occasions.

Fifteen meetings were organised to accommodate the activities of the nine ad hoc groups set
up to investigate specialised areas on which the Committee wished to give an opinion.

The Committee disbanded three groups whose work had been completed:

– 

– 

– 

Management systems

Asbestos

Restructuring of committees.

The Committee set up three groups for which a mandate was adopted:

– 

– 

– 

Teleworking (document No 0905/99)

Occupational diseases (document No 0858/00)

ATEX (document No 3453/00).

The  Committee  also  revised  the  mandate  of  the  group  on  "Standardisation"  (document  No
1175/00).

The work of the groups is summarised in section 3 of this report.

The Committee adopted the annual  report for 1999 and six opinions, which are  reviewed in
section  2.2  of  this  report,  and  studied  the  subjects  which  could  make  up  its  programme  of
work for 2001.

7

2.1. 

24th activity report of the Advisory Committee

Document 0135/1/00

The Committee adopted its 24th report, covering activities in 1999, at its 60th meeting held
on 18 May 2000.

2.2. 

Opinions adopted

2.2.1.  Committee opinion (document No 842/1/00) on draft mandates for standardisation
addressed  to  European  standardisation  organisations  and  figuring  in  documents
62/99, 69/99, 71/99, 4/2000, 5/2000 and 3/2000

– 

Doc. 62/99 - Draft mandate to CEN/CENELEC/ETSI on the safety of consumers and

children

-

-

-

-

The  mandate  was  accepted  by  the  Committee  with  the  following  reservation:  the
scope of the mandate is too broad (harmonised/non-harmonised sector).

Doc. 69/99 - Draft mandate to CEN/CENELEC/ETSI on domestic gas ovens

The  mandate  was  accepted.  It  should  be  made  clear,  however,  that  the  term
"domestic" did not exclude the use of such equipment in other environments, such as
works or public canteens.

Doc.  71/99  -  Draft  mandate  to  CEN/CENELEC/ETSI  in  the  medical  appliances
sector

Concerning  point  II.B.5,  the  Committee  drew  attention  to  the  fact  that  employees
were  having  to  deal  with  the  issue  of  labelling,  and  that  the  labelling  introduced
under the present mandate should not be different from the labelling applied at work.

The  Commission  should  include  in  the  mandate  a  warning  that,  in  terms  of  health
and safety, not only the needs of the patients but also the needs of the staff working
in health centres should be taken into account.

Doc.  4/2000  -  Draft  mandate  to  CEN/CENELEC/ETSI  in  the  electrotechnology,
information technology and telecommunications sector

The Advisory Committee asked the Commission to suspend the mandate in order to
examine  an  opinion  in  September  2000,  taking  into  account  also  the  suspension  of
the document by the "Standards and Technical Regulations" Committee.

Doc. 5/2000 - Draft mandate to CEN/CENELEC/ETSI in the passenger lifts, hoists
and cableways sector

With reference to point 2.2 of Doc. 5/2000 and CEN TC 242 N 333 of October 1999,
the  AHG  advised  the  AC  that  the  requirements  established  by  an  ad  hoc  group
regarding protection at work, which should be included in the standards, were to be
submitted to the AHG and to the AC for possible comments (point 2.1 of CEN TC
242 N 333 of October 1999).

8

Due account should also be taken of requirements stemming from emergencies, from
risks  during  scheduled  maintenance  work  or  repairs,  and  from  the  requisite  non-
destructive testing of materials (for example, cables and bearings).

-

Doc. 3/2000 - Draft mandate to CEN/CENELEC/ETSI in the industrial trucks sector

The  mandate  was  approved  subject  to  the  following  points:  the  draft  standard  was
urgent,  and  the  standard  needed  to  give  due  consideration  to  safety  and  health
protection.

The Committee adopted the draft opinion unanimously on 18 May 2000.

2.2.2.  Committee  opinion,  requested  by  the  Commission,  on  drawing  up  the  new  social

policy agenda

Working document 631/00

Looking forward to the presentation during summer 2000 of a new communication setting out
future Commission measures on employment and social policy, a debate was launched in all
the committees concerned  and  within existing forums in  order  to  gather  the  opinions  of  the
main social policy players at Community level in terms of: 1) analysing the main aspects of
the  changes  taking  place;  2)  discussing  the  development  of  methods  and  instruments  for
carrying  out  the  new  economic  and  social  agenda;  3)  proposing  specific  measures  to  be
undertaken and financed at European level in the short and medium term.

In this context, the Advisory Committee expressed its opinion — at its 60th plenary meeting
on 18 May 2000 — on a document submitted by the Commission as a basis for discussion:
"Preparing the new social policy agenda" (document 631/00).

While regretting that the theme of health and safety at work was not mentioned specifically in
the document, the Committee recommended that a separate health and safety  programme be
prepared, to be as precise and coherent as it was consistent, in the context of the social policy
agenda or outside it.

2.2.3.  Committee  opinion  (document  No  1950/00)on  draft  standardisation  mandates
addressed  to  European  standardisation  organisations  and  figuring  in  documents
16/2000, 18/2000, 72/99 rev. 1, 19/2000 and 4/2000 rev. 1.

-

Doc.  16/2000  and  18/2000  -  Draft  mandates  to  CEN  in  the  context  of  Directive
98/37/EC relating to machinery, with a view to revising standards EN ISO 11681-2
"safety of chain saws for tree service" and EN 703 "safety of silage cutters"

The  Committee  agreed,  at  the  level  of  the  ad  hoc  group  on  "standardisation",  to
examine  the  two  mandates  jointly,  given  that  each  was  the  result  of  a  safeguard
clause based on Article 6 of Directive 98/37/EC.

The  Committee  approved  the  draft  mandates  for  the  construction  of  machinery.
However,  it  suggested  that  the  Commission  should  attach  more  importance  to  the
impact which the design of such machinery may have on the conditions of use. If the
Directive set out detailed conditions of use, for example in the field of training, there
was a risk of clashing with the national legal requirements.

9

-

-

-

Doc.  72/99  rev.  1  -  Draft  mandate  to  CEN/CENELEC/ETSI  in  the  solid  biofuels
sector

The  Committee  approved  the  draft  mandate.  It  recommended  inserting  a  phrase
indicating that very close attention should be paid to the possible implications for the
health  and  safety  of  workers  at  work  for  all  mandates  relating  to  questions
concerning the environment.

Doc.  19/2000  -  Draft  mandate  to  CEN/CENELEC/ETSI  on  the  fire  resistance  of
nightwear

The  Committee  considered  that  this  mandate  related  solely  to  nightwear  for  the
general public and was therefore not within its area of competence.

Doc.  4/2000 
-  Draft  mandate 
electrotechnology, information technology and telecommunications sector

to  CEN/CENELEC/ETSI 

rev.  1 

in 

the

For the mandate concerning the safety of electromagnetic fields generated by certain
equipment, the Committee considered that a clear distinction had to be made between
occupational exposure and exposure of the general public.

The  Committee  asked  that  the  occupational  exposure  limits  defined  in  the  Council
Recommendation on exposure to electromagnetic fields be taken into consideration.

The Committee adopted the draft opinion unanimously on 19 December 2000.

2.2.4.  Committee  opinion  (document  No  3103/00)  on  the  restructuring  of  committees  in

the field of safety, hygiene and health at work

In its communication on a Community programme  concerning safety, hygiene and health at
work  (1996-2000)1,  the  Commission  indicated  that  it  was  time  to  review  the  size  of  the
structure and the mode of operation of the Committees with a view to making maximum use
of the resources available, providing a more efficient input into EU health and safety policy,
and preparing the ground for possible new Member States.

Following this reasoning, the Commission intended to propose that the decisions establishing
the Committees be amended to restructure them, reduce their membership and provide them with
a  single  secretariat.  This  would  allow  the  Community's  budgetary  resources  to  be  utilised
more effectively.

The  Advisory  Committee  decided  on  6  May  1999  to  establish  the  AHG  "Restructuring  of
committees",  tasked  with  preparing  an  opinion  on  plans  to  restructure  the  committees
established to support the Commission in its measures to promote health and safety at work.
The  Committee  entrusted  this  task  to  its  "Planning"  group,  enlarged  to  include  observers
representing the Safety and Health Commission.

The group met on four occasions: 15 March, 28 June, 8 September and 26 October 2000, and
worked  on  document  1246/00  provided  by  the  Commission,  in  order  to  define  what  it
considered to be appropriate alternatives.

1 COM(95) 282 final.

10

                                                
Following its meeting held on 26 October 2000, the group issued a draft opinion (document
3103/00) which was submitted to the Advisory Committee at its 61st plenary meeting on 19
December  2000  and  adopted  together  with  a  joint  declaration  by  the  social  partners
(document  3102/00)  and  proposals  for  amendments  by  the  group  of  government  delegates
(document 3454/00), both documents figuring as annexes to the text of the opinion.

Through  its  opinion,  the  Committee  wishes  to  provide  the  Commission  with  a  general
political framework within which it feels the process of modernisation should operate. In this
regard, the  Committee  feels  that  the  Commission  should  formalise  this  process  and  adopt  a
proposal for a decision to be submitted to the Council of Ministers which set up the Advisory
Committee in 1974.

Rejecting first of all any attempt to merge the committees now working in the field of safety
and  health  at  work  (the  Advisory  Committee,  the  Senior  Labour  Inspectors  Committee,  the
Scientific  Committee  on  Occupational  Exposure  Limits  and  the  Safety  and  Health
Commission) owing to their differences in composition, tasks and responsibilities, the opinion
concentrates on improvements to the Advisory Committee, in order to modernise its operation
and  make  it  more  effective,  and  to  seek  a  harmonious  link  and  the  best  possible  synergy
between  the  tripartite  consultation  required  in  the  field  of  safety  and  health  at  work  and
consultation of the social partners, which the Commission is called  upon to  carry out  in the
field of social policy under Article 138 of the consolidated Treaty.

With  regard  to  the  aims  and  tasks  of  the  Committee,  the  existence  of  a  general  tripartite
consultation  forum  at  European  Union  level,  facilitating  transparent  public  debate  and
ensuring  that  all  concerned  are  involved  in  determining  the  general  thrust  of  Community
policy in the field, is in the nature of safety and health protection at work. The Committee, in
a position to provide the Commission with technical and political expertise, in terms both of
particular initiatives and of evaluating the impact and effectiveness of their application in the
Member States, feels it should present itself as a coordination forum to help the Commission
as  a  whole  in  the  field.  It  therefore  asks  the  Commission  departments  to  strengthen
coordination  between  the  Directorates-General,  to  enable  the  Advisory  Committee  to  be
aware of all measures which have  a direct or indirect effect on safety  and health at work. It
also  asks  the  Commission  departments  to  strengthen  and  formalise  the  mechanisms  for
cooperation between the bodies concerned with safety and health at work, such as the Senior
Labour  Inspectors  Committee,  the  Scientific  Committee  for  Occupational  Exposure  Limits
and the Community agencies responsible, whilst scrupulously respecting their independence
and  autonomy.  The  Advisory  Committee  is  satisfied  with  the  present  mechanisms  for
coordination  with  the  Safety  and  Health  Commission.  These  mechanisms  should  be
formalised by agreement between the committees concerned.

As for the structure of the Committee, it is essential to formalise, strengthen and  enhance
the  organisation  in  interest  groups  (workers,  employers,  and  governments).  This  is
particularly important in view of the inevitable reduction in the number of full members of the
Advisory Committee as a result of the enlargement of the Union. In this context, the Advisory
Committee also stresses that it is important for the European Trade Union Confederation and
UNICE to coordinate the work of the interest groups of workers and employers respectively.
It  hopes  that  the  government  group  will  do  likewise,  by  enabling  the  representative  of  the
Member State holding the Union Presidency to fulfil this function. The Advisory Committee
calls  upon  the  Commission  to  formalise  these  coordination  roles  in  its  proposal  to  the
Council. As far as the organisation of work is concerned, the Advisory Committee hopes that
the Planning Group will be replaced by a  Bureau, an executive body of the full Committee,
consisting  of  spokespersons,  coordinators,  a  person  to  be  nominated  by  each  interest  group

11

and representatives of the Commission departments. Its main duties would be to organise the
work  of  the  Advisory  Committee  and  manage  resources.  The  full  Committee  could  also
delegate additional tasks or decisions to it, in individual cases. The Advisory Committee also
considers that  the  working  groups should be made up of five  experts  per  interest  group  and
should be assisted by the officials responsible for the dossiers with which they are dealing. In
certain  cases,  it  could  be  useful  to  allow  the  full  Committee  to  set  up  extended  working
groups,  which  could  even  include  a  representative  of  each  of  the  three  interest  groups  per
Member  State.  In  any  case,  the  Advisory  Committee  feels  that  the  mandates  of  the  groups
should specify their tasks clearly and precisely and, where appropriate, indicate the length of
the mandate.

With regard to the operation of the Committee, and in order to improve its effectiveness, it
would be worthwhile considering the possibility of adopting certain decisions or opinions by
written procedure, while respecting the principle of transparency and of public and polemical
debate. The Bureau could run such a procedure, and the coordinators - or spokespersons - of
the  interest  groups  would  be  responsible  for  collecting  and  passing  on  the  responses  or
opinions  of  the  members  of  their  groups.  The  Advisory  Committee's  final  point  is  that  the
Commission  departments  are  not  always  given  the  resources  needed  to  fulfil  the  general
political ambitions for safety and health protection at work which the Commission proclaims.
The  Advisory  Committee therefore asks the  Commission  to  release  the  human  and  material
resources  necessary  to  enable  it  to  fulfil  its  role  effectively.  It  needs  good  quality  working
documents available in time, to simplify the preparation of opinions by helping the working
groups in their tasks and reducing the number of meetings they have to hold.

2.2.5.  Committee opinion requested by the Commission on an amendment to the "signs"

Directive 92/58/EEC

Working document 3435/00

A survey carried out in France by AFNOR revealed a number of problems in relation to the
understanding of safety signs at work.

At its 61st plenary meeting on 19 December 2000, the Commission called upon the Advisory
Committee  for  a  statement  on  the  existence  in  the  different  Member  States  of  difficulties
similar to those described in the documentation,  and  on the possible amendment  of Council
Directive 92/58/EEC.

While pointing out the need to work more systematically on collecting data on problems with
the legibility and/or comprehension of signs, the Committee did not consider the revision of
Directive 92/58/EEC to be a priority.

2.2.6.  Committee opinion on the draft work programme for the Bilbao Agency for 2001

As  stipulated  in  the  Regulation  establishing  the  Bilbao  Agency,  the  draft  annual  work
programme  for  the  Agency,  prepared  by  its  Director,  was  put  before  the  Committee  before
being submitted to the Agency's Administrative Board.

The Committee meeting, originally scheduled for 22 November, had to be postponed until 19
December 2000. As the Agency had scheduled the meeting of its Administrative Board for 29
November 2000 and could not postpone it, it was agreed as an exceptional measure that the
spokespersons for each interest group would forward their group's comments to the Agency,

12

and that these comments would be made available to all members at the Committee meeting
in December.

The  views  expressed  by  the  interest  groups  at  the  Committee's  61st  plenary  meeting  on  19
December 2000 in the presence of the Agency's Director may be summed up as follows:

On  reading  the  programme  for  2001,  the  "governments"  and  "employers"  groups  noted  its
ambitious  nature,  which  did  not  exclude  the  risk  of  dispersion.  It  would  be  better  to  be
acquainted  with  the  Agency's  activities  and  verify  compliance  with  the  task  entrusted  to  it,
and  the  possibilities  for  effectively  using  the  results  of  its  activities.  The  government
delegation  noted  that  the  aim  was  a  proposal  to  amend  the  Regulation  establishing  the
Agency, presented by the Commission.

For  its  part,  the  "workers"  group,  while  recognising  the  Agency's  role  as  an  information
provider,  put  forward  a  number  of  criticisms,  relating  particularly  to  the  fact  that  tripartism
still played too small a role, European  added value  was  still  inadequate  and  the  strategy  for
determining,  identifying  and  supporting  user  groups  was  still  too  weak.  The  group  wanted
tripartism to play a greater role in the management of the Agency's projects, and felt that the
Agency should have a higher profile to allow it to improve on the content of the information
produced.  In  this  context,  the  "workers"  group  hoped  that  the  Agency  could  play  a  role  in
supporting the social dialogue.

2.3. 

Operational procedures

2.3.1.  Work programme 2001

Document 1180/1/00

At the session held on  19  December  2000,  the  Committee  adopted  its  work  programme  for
2001, extending its four-year policy programme by one year.

13

3. 

ACTIVITIES OF THE AD HOC GROUPS/END-OF-YEAR STRUCTURE

3.1. 

Ad hoc groups active in 2000 and continuing their activities in 2001

3.1.1.  Planning

The Planning group met on three occasions in 2000 to prepare the new mandates and organise
and monitor the work of the groups.

3.1.2. 

Standardisation

The activities of this Group are of an ongoing nature. 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.

In 2000, the group met twice and discussed 10 draft mandates to CEN/CENELEC/ETSI. Two
draft opinions relating to the draft mandates discussed (see 2.2.1 and 2.2.3) were presented to
the Advisory Committee and were adopted on 18 May and 19 December 2000 respectively.

3.1.3.  Occupational exposure levels

This  group  is  consulted  on  establishing  priorities  with  regard  to  substances  for  which
occupational  exposure  levels  need  to  be  determined.  It  monitors  the  work  of  the  Scientific
Committee  on  Occupational  Exposure  Limit  Values  (point  4.3)  and  prepares  Committee
opinions on Commission proposals relating to the establishment of exposure levels at work. It
gives progress reports at Committee meetings.

The  group  met  on  two  occasions  in  2000  and  drew  up  a  draft  proposal  for  a  Commission
directive establishing a second list of occupational exposure limit values in accordance with
Council  Directive  98/24/EC  on  the  protection  of  the  health  and  safety  of  workers  from  the
risks  related  to  chemical  agents  at  work.  Discussions  are  well  advanced  and  should  be
completed in 2001.

3.1.4.  Multidisciplinary protective and preventive services/Medical surveillance of workers

This  is  an  amalgamation  of  two  previous  groups,  the  terms  of  reference  of  which  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
various Member States.

In  2000,  a  drafting  group  comprising  a  representative  from  each  interest  group  met  on  two
occasions and continued work on the draft opinion presented to the Advisory Committee at its
59th plenary meeting, a revision of which had been requested. A revised text was submitted to
the Committee during its 60th plenary meeting on 18 May 2000. In the light of reservations
expressed by all the interest groups, the text was returned to the ad hoc group.

14

The group will continue its work in 2001.

3.1.5.  Prevention of violence at work

Created on  29  October  1997,  this  group  met  once  in  2000.  It  is  charged  with  preparing  the
Committee’s opinion on the draft recommendations submitted by the Commission and on any
measures  which  might  prove  necessary  at  European  level.  It  appears  that  violence  is  a
growing problem but hidden and underestimated, and reliable statistics are rare. The members
of the group are collecting studies and good practice on this subject with a view to drawing up
a draft opinion.

The group will continue its work in 2001.

3.1.6.  Guidelines for chemical agents

Created on 6 May 1999, this group is charged with drawing up for the Advisory Committee
an opinion concerning  a guideline  document  on  the  questions  referred  to  in  Articles  3,  4,  5
and 6 and Annex II (1) of Council Directive 98/24/EC of 7 April 1998 on the protection of the
health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work.

The group did not meet in 2000.

3.1.7.  Report on the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

The  group,  created  in  May  1999,  met  once  in  2000.  It  was  set  up  to  prepare  an  Advisory
Committee opinion on the report to be drawn up by the European Commission, accompanied as
appropriate by a proposal on the  review of the Regulation establishing the European  Agency
for Safety and Health at Work.

The group will continue its work in 2001.

3.1.8.  Musculo-skeletal disorders

Created  on  6  May  1999,  this  ad  hoc  group  is  charged  with  drafting  an  opinion  on  possible
Community action to prevent musculo-skeletal disorders at work.

The  group  met  once  in  2000.  Discussions  are  well  advanced  and  should  be  completed  in
2001.

3.2. 

Creation of ad hoc groups in 2000

The Committee created three ad hoc groups and adopted their mandates.

3.2.1.  Teleworking (document No 0905/99)

The mandate of this group, created on 18 May 2000, is to prepare a draft Advisory Committee
opinion  on  possible  Community  action  on  health  and  safety  questions  associated  with
teleworking.

3.2.2.  Occupational diseases (document No 0858/00)

The mandate of this group, created on 18 May 2000, is to prepare a draft Advisory Committee
opinion  on  Commission  proposals  concerning  the  updating  of  the  "European  Schedule  of
Occupational Diseases" (Annex I to Commission Recommendation 90/326/EEC).

15

3.2.3.  ATEX (document No 3453/00)

The remit of this group, established on 19 December 2000, is to assist the Commission in the
preparation  of  a  guide  to  good  practice  enabling  the  employer  to  produce  the  "explosion
protection document" required by Article 8 of the ATEX Directive 1999/92/EC. An invitation
to  tender  will  be  issued  for  this  groundwork.  To  this  end,  the  group  will  meet  with  the
Commission and the contractor at the beginning of the work and on submission of the interim
and final reports and will then report to the Advisory Committee. In order to monitor the work
as it progresses, the group will appoint from among its members a select group of six, to be
known as the "Tripartite Liaison Committee". This select group will meet as necessary  and,
on  the  basis  of  the  clauses  stipulated  in  the  contract,  may  submit  suggestions  to  the
Commission to ensure satisfactory completion of the work by the contractor.

3.3. 

Dissolution of ad hoc groups

The Committee decided to disband three groups whose work had been completed.

3.3.1.  Management systems

Established in October 1997, the task of this group was to advise and assist the Commission
in the development of guidelines on occupational health and safety management systems and
to give recommendations as to their application.

A  draft  opinion  by  the  group  on  the  development  of  occupational  health  and  safety
management systems, and draft "European guidelines on the successful organisation of safety
and health protection for workers at work", were adopted at the 59th Committee meeting (27
October 1999) with some amendments to the wording introduced during the session. As the
text of the final opinion (document 0510/4/99) was sent to Committee members on 13 April
2000, the group was formally disbanded on 18 May 2000.

3.3.2.  Asbestos

On  6  May  1999,  the  Committee  established  the  ad  hoc  group  on  asbestos  with  the  task  of
preparing  an  opinion  of  the  Advisory  Committee  on  a  proposal  for  a  Council  Directive
amending  Directive  83/477/EEC  on  the  protection  of  workers  from  the  risks  related  to
asbestos at work.

On  9  March  2000,  the  Commission  sent  a  draft  proposal  for  amending  the  Directive  to  the
members  of  the  "Asbestos"  group.  Two  meetings  were  held  (22  May  and  4  October  2000),
resulting in a draft opinion put forward to the Advisory Committee at its 61st plenary meeting
on 19 December 2000.

Following  a  discussion,  and  bearing  in  mind  the  reservations  expressed  by  all  the  interest
groups  at  the  session  concerning  the  draft,  some  common  elements  were  adopted  by  the
Commission as a basis for a general consensus with a view to finalising its draft proposal. The
group was therefore disbanded on 19 December 2000.

3.3.3.  Restructuring of the committees

Established in May 1999, this group met four times during 2000. As a result of its work, the
group submitted a draft opinion to the Committee (point 2.2.4) on document 1246/00 drawn
up by the Commission. Following adoption of this opinion by the Committee, the group was
disbanded on 19 December 2000.

16

4. 

COOPERATION WITH OTHER BODIES

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 proposals
for improving safety and health protection at the workplace and to foster exchanges of useful
information.

Since  1994,  representatives  of  the  SHCMOEI  have  attended  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 these two bodies. Experience acquired so far
shows points in common, but the impression of two separate bodies persists. The SHCMOEI
is essentially a technically orientated body which deals with safety problems inherent in the
extractive  industries.  Technical  aspects  constitute  a  key  element  of  its  work,  whereas  the
Advisory  Committee  is  also  qualified  to  discuss  fundamental  issues  of  safety  and  health  at
work.

4.2. 

Senior Labour Inspectors' Committee

Created by Commission Decision 95/315/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  draft  proposals  for  directives  adopting  occupational  exposure  limits  in
accordance with Directive 98/24/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
the meetings of the Committee.

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

17

the  same  year.  It  conducts  studies  and  supplies  information  tying  in  closely  with  European
harmonisation and standardisation work in the field of safety and health at the workplace and
with the Committee's standardisation group. A representative of the TUTB is invited to attend
the Committee's meetings.

4.6. 

International Labour Office

A representative of the ILO is invited to meetings of the Committee.

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  and  presents,  amongst  other  things,  the
Foundation's work programme.

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.

18

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

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

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.

(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.

19

Article 5

The  term  of  office  of  full  members  and  alternate  members  shall  be  three  years.  Their
appointments shall be renewable.

Article 6

(1) 

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

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.

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.

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.

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."

20

ANNEX B

B1 - COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE in 2000

Period 1997-2000

I. GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES

a) Full members

Belgium

Mr HESELMANS

Mr DE VIL

Denmark

Mr JENSEN

Germany

Mr HORST

Mrs RATHSACH

Mr HELLER

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Mrs KAFETZOPOULOU

Mr PAPADOPOULOS

Mr FERNÁNDEZ SÁNCHEZ

Mr  MARTINEZ 
GANDARA

DE 

LA

Mr BOISNEL

Mr HENRY

Mrs GUIGUEN

Mr WALSH

Professor LEPORE

Mrs ROCCA ERCOLI

Luxembourg

Dr RUME

Netherlands

Mr VOS

Austria

Dr BREINDL

Mr WEBER

Dr LATERVEER

Dr SZYMANSKI

Portugal

Mrs PINTO MARVAO

Dr COSTA MARINHO

Finland

Sweden

United
Kingdom

Mr RANTANEN

Mr HURMALAINEN

Mr PETTERSSON

Mr CLIFTON

Mr DIRKE

Mr LORD

21

b) Alternate members

Belgium

Mr STEEN

Mr FONTINOY

Denmark

Mr OVERGAARD-HANSEN

Mr BAHNE

Germany

Mrs STECK

Mr GROSSE-JÄGER

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Mrs PISSIMISSI

Mr CASTELLA

Mr LEONZI

Mr FUREY

Dr FAVENTI

Luxembourg

Mr DEMUTH

Mr CHRISTODOULOU

Mr NOLLA FERNANDEZ

Mr ROBERT

Mr DONNELLAN

Mr ALVINO

Mr HUBERTY

Netherlands

Mr GOUDSMIT

Dr MIDDELPLAATS

Austria

Dr FINDING

Mrs JENNER

Portugal

Mrs PEREIRA SERRA

Mr FREITAS DURAO

Finland

Sweden

United
Kingdom

Mr KALLIO

Mr BARREFELT

Mrs PARRY

Mrs LEHTINEN

Dr REMAEUS

Mrs VALENTINY

II. WORKERS' REPRESENTATIVES

a) Full members

Belgium

Mr VAN DERCAMMEN

Mr FONCK

Denmark

Mr RASMUSSEN

Mr FREDERIKSEN

Germany

Mr KONSTANTY

Mr ANGERMAIER

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Mr POLITIS

Mr FERRER

Mr PHILIP

Mr CRONIN

Mr DRIVAS

Mr CARCOBA

Mr BODARD

Mr WHELAN

22

Italy

Mrs BENEDETTINI

Dr GALLI

Luxembourg

Mr MILLER

Netherlands

Mr WILDERS

Mr GIARDIN

Mr BRÜNING

Austria

Mr HEIDER

Mrs CZESKLEBA

Portugal

Mr NASCIMENTO LOPES

Mr DA COSTA FARIAS

Finland

Sweden

United
Kingdom

Mrs TYÖLÄJÄRVI

Mr KOSKINEN

Mr TENGBERG

Mrs GIBSON

Mr SJÖHOLM

Mr MELLISH

b) Alternate members

Belgium

Mrs VELLANDE

Mr VAN DER HAEGEN

Denmark

Mr JACOBSEN

Mr AHLERS

Germany

Mr ZWINGMANN

Mr GROWITSCH

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Dr CHATZIS

Mrs DIAZ

Mr SALENGRO

Mrs MRKWICKA

Mr PAPANAYOTOU

Mr TORRES FERNANDEZ

Mr SEDES

Mr DEVOY

Mr D’ERCOLE

Mr STANZANI

Luxembourg

Mr GOEREND

Mr KINN

Netherlands

Mr MULLER

Mr VAN STEEBERGEN

Austria

Mrs REITINGER

Mr STEINER

Portugal

Mr COELHAS DIONISIO

Mr MONTEIRO do MONTE

Finland

Sweden

United
Kingdom

Mr SAARIKANGAS

Mrs PERIMÄKI-DIETRICH

Mrs HILDINGSSON

Mrs THULESTEDT

Mr TUDOR

Mrs GOWAN ROONEY OBE

23

III. EMPLOYERS' REPRESENTATIVES

a) Full members

Belgium

Mr VIERENDEELS

Mr BORMANS

Denmark

Mr NIELSEN

Mr JEPSEN

Germany

Mr LEHR

Mr HOLTMANN

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Mr ZIMALIS

Mr TSAMOUSSOPOULOS

Mr TEIXIDO CAMPAS

Mr MANZANO SANZ

Mr PEYRICAL

Mr O’HALLORAN

Mrs CAZALS

Mr BRISCOE

Dr CHIACCHIARARELLI

Mr GIUSTI

Luxembourg

Mr SAUBER

Netherlands

Mrs FRENKEL

Austria

Mrs SCHWENG

Dr METZLER

Mr KONING

Mr BRAUNER

Portugal

Mr COSTA TAVARES

Mr PENA COSTA

Finland

Sweden

United
Kingdom

Mr FORSS

Mr FROSTLING

Dr ASHERSON

b) Alternate members

Mr KUIKKO

Mr LIND

Dr WHITE

Belgium

Mr PELEGRIN

Mr DILLEN

Denmark

Mrs JUHLER-KRISTOFFERSEN

Mr HOLMBOE BANG

Germany

Mr BEEKHUIZEN

Mr GAWEL

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Mr ZACHARIAS

Mr KIRIAKOGGONAS

Mr MUNOZ MUGICA

Mr MORENO UCELAY

Mr THILLAUD

Mr CASSIDY

Dr GRAMPELLA

Dr LEVY

Mr ENRIGHT

Dr FREGOSO

24

Luxembourg

Mr WALERS

Dr STELMES

Netherlands

Mr KROEZEN

Austria

Mr DUNGL

Mr STIMITZER

Portugal

Mr FONTES MACHADO

Mr BARROSO

Finland

Sweden

United
Kingdom

Mr AHTELA

Mrs TELL

Mrs JEYNES

Mrs LUOMALA

Mrs BJÖRG ÖSTLUND

Mr CLARE

B2 - COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE in 2000

Period 2000-2003

I. GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVES

a) Full members

Mr HESELMANS

Mr DE CONNINCK

Mr JENSEN

Mr HORST

Mr RATSACH

Mr HELLER

Mr CHRISTODOULOU

Mr PAPADOPOULOS

Mrs DE LA FUENTE VÁZQUEZ Mr FERNÁNDEZ SÁNCHEZ

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Austria

Portugal

Finland

Sweden

Luxembourg

Dr RUME

Netherlands

Mr VOS

Mr BOISNEL

Mr HENRY

Dr BREINDL

Mr ESKOLA

Mr PETTERSON

United Kingdom

Mr GRAHAM

Mrs PINTO MARVÃO

Mr DE FREITAS DURÃO

Mrs GUIGUEN

Mr WALSH

Mr WEBER

Dr LATERVEER

Dr SZYMANSKI

Mr HURMALAINEN

Mr DIRKE

Mr LORD

25

b) Alternate members

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Mr RAEKELBOOM

Mrs SKJOLDAGER

Mr DE VIL

Mr BAHNE

Mr GROSSE-JÄGER

Mrs STECK

Mrs PISIMISI

Mr MOSCHOPOULOS

Mr CASTELLA

Mr NOLLA FERNANDEZ

Mr LEONZI

Mrs WOOD

Mr LECARLIER DE VESLUD

Mr DONNELLAN

Luxembourg

Mr DEMUTH

Mr HUBERTY

Netherlands

Mr GOUDSMIT

Dr MIDDELPLAATS

Austria

Portugal

Finland

Sweden

Dr FINDING

Mrs SERRA

Mr MURR

Mr PIPA

Mrs SUNDQUIST

Mr LAMBERG

Mr RAMAEUS

Mr BARREFELT

United Kingdom

Mr CLIFTON

Mrs VALENTINY

26

II. WORKERS' REPRESENTATIVES

a) Full members

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Mr VANDERCAMMEN

Mr FONCK

Mr RASMUSSEN

Mr FREDERIKSEN

Mrs SCHRÖDER

Mr ANGERMEIER

Mr ADAMAKIS

Mr ANTONOPOULOS

Mrs HERNÃNDEZ NAVARRO Mr CARCOBA

Mr BODARD

Mr CRONIN

Luxembourg

Mr GOEREND

Netherlands

Mr WILDERS

Mr PHILIP

Mr WHELAN

Mr GIARDIN

Mr BRÜNING

Austria

Portugal

Finland

Sweden

Mr HEIDER

Mrs CZESKLEBA

Mr NASCIMENTO LOPES

Mr DA COSTA FARIAS

Mrs TYÖLÄJÄRVI

Mr KOSKINENI

United Kingdom

Mrs ROONEY

Mr MELLISH

b) Alternate members

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Mrs VELLANDE

Mr JACOBSEN

Mr PHILIPS

Mr AHLERS

Mr KONSTANTY

Mr GROWITSCH

Mr KONSTANTINIDIS

Mr DRIVAS

Mr LÓPEZ ARIAS

Mr RODRIGO CENCILLO

Mr SALENGRO

Mrs MRKWICKA

Mr SEDES

Mr DEVOY

27

Italy

Luxembourg

Mr BAUDOT

Mr SONNTAG

Netherlands

Mrs 
SCHONEWILLE

BASTIAAN-

Mr VAN STEEBERGEN

Austria

Portugal

Finland

Sweden

Mrs REITINGER

Mr STEINER

Mr COELHAS DIONISIO

Mr DE DEUS GOMES PIRES

Mr SAARIKANGAS

Mrs PERIMÄKI-DIETRICH

United Kingdom

Mr TUDOR

Mrs GIBSON

III. EMPLOYERS' REPRESENTATIVES

a) Full members

Mr DE MEESTER

Mr BORMANS

Mr NIELSEN

Mr HOLTMANN

Mr JEPSEN

Mr LEHR

Mr ZIMALIS

Mr KYRIAKONGONAS

Mr TEIXIDÓ CAMPÁS

Mr MANZANO SANZ

Mr PEYRICAL

Mr ENRIGHT

Luxembourg

Mr SCHEUREN

Netherlands

Mrs FRENKEL

Mrs CAZALS

Mr BRISCOE

Dr METZLER

Mr KONING

Austria

Portugal

Finland

Sweden

Mrs SCHWENG

Mr BRAUNER

Mr DA COSTA TAVARES

Mr PENA COSTA

Mr FORSS

Mr KUIKKO

United Kingdom

Mrs ASHERSON

Dr WHITE

28

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

b) Alternate members

Belgium

Denmark

Germany

Greece

Spain

France

Ireland

Italy

Mr PELEGRIN

Mr SØRENSEN

Mr DILLEN

Mr PEDERSEN

Mr BEEKHUIZEN

Mr GAWEL

Mrs BARDANI

Mr ZACHARIAS

Mr CARRASCO MORENO

Mr MORENO UCELAY

Mr THILLAUD

Dr LEVY

Mr BRODERICK

Mr MOLONEY

Luxembourg

Mr WALERS

Mr BLAISE

Netherlands

Mr KROEZEN

Austria

Portugal

Finland

Sweden

Mr DUNGL

Mr AUBAUER

Mr BENTO MARQUES

Mr SALGADO BARROSO

Mr AHTELA

Mr HEISKANEN

United Kingdom

Mr PYKETT

Mr DAVISON

29

AD HOC GROUPS 2000

ANNEX C

PLANNING

Chairman:

Mr Marc BOISNEL (G)

Vice-chairman:

Mr Herman FONCK (W)

Rapporteur:

Mr Torben JEPSEN (E )

GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYERS

WORKERS

Andreas HORST / D

Christa SCHWENG/ A

Thomas MELLISH / UK

Mikkko HURMALAINEN/ FIN

Olivier RICHARD / B

Maurice SEDES / F

Josefina PINTO MARVAO / P

Franco GIUSTI / I

Angel CARCOBA / E

Marc BOISNEL/ F

Torben JEPSEN / DK

Willy BUSCHAK / D

Bertil REMAEUS / S

Felipe MANZANO / E

Herman FONCK / B

Officials responsible: E. ROTHER - Tel. 32268 - E. DELAVAL - Tel. 32781

OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LEVELS

Chairman:

Mr Dirk STEEN (G)

Vice-Chairman:

Mr Torben JEPSEN (E)

Rapporteur:

Mr Marcel WILDERS (W)

GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYERS

WORKERS

Carole SULLIVAN / UK

Simon BEEKHUIZEN / D

Nicola MAGNAVITA / I

G. CAMILLETTI / I

Patrick LEVY / F

Reinhold KONSTANTY / D

Dirk HADRICH / D

Torben JEPSEN / DK

Karola GRODZKI / B

Dirk STEEN / B

Dario GRAMPELLA / I

To be appointed /

Matti KAJANTIE / F

Jos BORMANS / B

Marcel WILDERS / NL

Officials responsible: Mr A. ANGELIDIS - Tel. 33747 - Dr ARESINI - Tel: 32260

30

STANDARDISATION

Chairman:

Mr Franco GIUSTI (E)

Vice-Chairman:

Mr J. I. H. OH (G)

Rapporteur:

To be appointed (W)

GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYERS

WORKERS

Helmut EWERS / A

Franck GAMBELLI / F

Max ANGERMAIER / D

Paul WEBER / L

Franco GIUSTI / I

Enrico GIBELLIERI / I

Norbert BARZ / D

K. SCHEEL / D

Marc SAPIR / B

J. I. H. OH/ NL

Jos BORMANS / B

Bo TENGBERG / S

Bill TOMKINS / UK

Anders LIND / S

Ramon PAZ / E

Other experts:

Mr B. J. MERTENS / CENELEC

Mr André PLISSART, CEN

Mr André PIRLET, CEN

Mr Werner STERK, European Commission - DG III Brussels

Official responsible: Mr A. LOMMEL - Tel. 33871

31

VIOLENCE AT WORK

Chairman:

Mrs Anne GIBSON (W)

Vice-Chairman:

Mr Elias TSAMOUSSOPOULOS (E)

Rapporteur:

Mrs Giovanna ROCCA-ERCOLI (G)

GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYERS

WORKERS

Kurt BANERYD / S

Malcolm DARVILL / UK

Giovanna ROCCA-ERCOLI / I

Monique LARCHE-MOCHEL / F

Chris BAHNE / DK

Elias  TSAMOUSSOPOULOS 
GR

Jacques GODEFROIMONT / B

Peter THORPE / UK

Olivier RICHARD / B

Diane IANUCCI / B

/

Michael LENERT / A

Raili PERIMÄKI / FIN

Luis LOPES / P

Anne GIBSON / UK

Solveig JACOBSEN / DK

Official responsible: Dr ALVAREZ – Tel. 34547

MULTIDISCIPLINARY SERVICES AND MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE

DRAFTING GROUP

GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYERS

WORKERS

Sylvia WOOD / IRL

Olivier RICHARD /

Riitta TYÖLÄJÄRVI / FIN

Officials responsible: Dr ALVAREZ - Tel. 34547 and Dr ARESINI – Tel. 32260

32

ASBESTOS

Chairman:

Mr Angel CARCOBA (W)

Vice-Chairman:

To be appointed (G)

Rapporteur:

Mr Patrick LEVY (E)

GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYERS

WORKERS

Erkki SUNDQUIST / FIN

Patrick LEVY / F

Reinhold KONSTANTY / D

H.M.A. GÉRON / NL

Andre PELEGRIN / B

Lars VEDSMAND / DK

Armanda VITAL / P

José PONS LLACER / E

Angel CARCOBA / E

Kim TICHIAS / UK

Serafino ARCANGELI / I

Sylvester CRONIN / IRL

Hervé JANIAUT / F

MANUEL DE OLIVEIRA / P

Karola GRODZKI / TUTB

Official responsible: Dr ARESINI - Tel. 32260

MUSCULO-SKELETAL DISORDERS

Chairman:

Mr Patrick LEVY (E)

Vice-Chairman:

Mrs Fiona MURIE (W)

Rapporteur:

Mr Malcolm DARVILL (G)

GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYERS

WORKERS

Matti HUUSKONEN / FIN

Patrick LEVY / F

Martin DONNER / A

Mauro FRANCIOSI / I

André PELEGRIN / B

Fiona MURIE / E

Filomena TEIXEIRA / P

Derek WHITE / UK

Raili PERIMÄKI / FIN

Mats BJURVALD / S

Olivier RICHARD / B

Nigel BRYSON / UK

Malcolm DARVILL / UK

Eric JANNERFELDT / S

Andrea TOZZI / TUTB

Officials responsible: Dr ALVAREZ - Tel. 34547 - Dr ARESINI - Tel. 32260

33

"REPORT  ON  THE  EUROPEAN  AGENCY  FOR  SAFETY AND  HEALTH
AT WORK"

Chairman:

Mr Marc BOISNEL (G)

Vice-Chairman:

Mr Tony BRISCOE (E)

Rapporteur:

Mr Jan Toft RASMUSSEN (W)

GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYERS

WORKERS

Andreas HORST / D

Torben JEPSEN / DK

Jan Toft RASMUSSEN / DK

Rafael GANDARA /E

Jacqueline JEYNES / UK

Fergus WHELAN / IRL

Marc BOISNEL / F

Tony BRISCOE / IRL

Marcel WILDERS / NL

Paul WEBER / L

Olivier RICHARD / B

Luis Filipe LOPES / P

Richard CLIFTON / UK

Felipe MANZANO / E

Marc SAPIR / B

Official responsible: Mr E. ROTHER - Tel. 32268

GUIDELINES ON CHEMICAL AGENTS

Chairman:

To be appointed

Vice-Chairman:

To be appointed

Rapporteur:

Mr LEVY (E)

GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYERS

WORKERS

Helmut KLEIN / D

Simon BEEKHUIZEN / D

To be appointed

Bent Horn ANDERSEN / DK

René DILLEN / B

Frank BARRY / IRL

Giuseppina CAMILETTI / I

Patrick LEVY / F

Sven BERGSTRÖM / S

Alice RODRIGUES / P

Dario GRAMPELLA / I

Alastair HAY / UK

Kim TICHIAS / UK

Roger ALESBURY / UK

Karola GRODZKI / TUTB

Official responsible: Mr A. ANGELIDIS- Tel. 33747

34

RESTRUCTURING OF COMMITTEES

Chairman:

Mr Marc BOISNEL (G)

Vice-Chairman:

Mr Herman FONCK (W)

Rapporteur:

Mr Torben JEPSEN (E)

GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYERS

WORKERS

Bertil REMAEUS / S

Christa SCHWENG / A

Thomas MELLISH / UK

Andreas HORST / D

Olivier RICHARD / B

Maurice SEDES / F

Josefina PINTO MARVAO / P

Franco GIUSTI / I

Angel CARCOBA / E

Mikko HURMALAINEN/ FIN

Torben JEPSEN / DK

Willy BUSCHAK / D

Marc BOISNEL/ F

Felipe MANZANO / E

Herman FONCK / B

Officials responsible: E. ROTHER - Tel. 32268 – A. LOMMEL – Tel. 33871

35

TIMETABLE 2000

ANNEX D

Dates

Title of meeting

Participants

Non-govern. Govern.

27/01/00

AHG BILBAO AGENCY

28/01/00

AHG MULTIDISCIPLINARY SERVICES
DRAFTING GROUP

10/02/00

GOVERNMENT IG

02/03/00

EMPLOYERS' IG

15/03/00

AHG PLANNING AND RESTRUCTURING OF
COMMITTEES

22/03/00

AHG STANDARDISATION

27/03/00

WORKERS' IG

05/04/00

AHG EXPOSURE LEVELS

17-18/05/00 PLENARY MEETING

22/05/00

AHG ASBESTOS

28/06/00

AHG PLANNING AND COMMITTEE
RESTRUCTURING

13/07/00

AHG VIOLENCE AT WORK

05/09/00

AHG STANDARDISATION

07-08/09/00 AHG PLANNING AND RESTRUCTURING OF

COMMITTEES

28/09/00

WORKERS' IG

04/10/00

AHG ASBESTOS

25/10/00

AHG EXPOSURE LEVELS

26/10/00

AHG RESTRUCTURING OF COMMITTEES

08/11/00

AHG MUSCULO-SKELETAL DISORDERS

29/11/00

AHG MULTIDISCIPLINARY SERVICES

36

10

2

0

31

10

12

31

10

63

10

10

10

10

10

31

10

10

10

10

10

5

2

30

5

5

5

31

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

5

Dates

Title of meeting

Participants

06/12/00

EMPLOYERS' IG

07/12/00

GOVERNMENT IG

18-19/12/00 PLENARY MEETING

Non-govern. Govern.

31

63

0

30

31

37