Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Riga, Latvia 11 Multi-Country Workshop on Developing Systems for Occupational Health and Safety

Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Riga, Latvia

11

Multi-Country Workshop on Developing Systems for Occupational Health and Safety through Social

Dialogue INT MARKT 51421

Transformation in Occupational Health and

Safety systems:lessons learnt - LATVIA

Brussels, BelgiumDates: 18-19 February 2013

Vanadzins I., Matisane L.Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Riga Stradins university, Latvia [email protected]


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Contents

Introduction to Institute of Occupational health and environmental health

Development of Latvian occupational health and safety (OH&S) system

Legal framework for Social dialogue «Current statuss» of Social dialogue Research data supporting need for change Way forward – what do we do? Lessons learnt


Latvian Institute of Occupational safety and environmental health

Status: University agency supervised by National

Information Board (Ministry of Welfare, Labour inspection and Social partners)

Part of work plan approved by Information Board

Role in OH&S system Monitoring of OH&S and support to policy

makers Research including specific topics Information and training (employers and

employees, OH&S professionals)


Latvian Institute of Occupational safety and environmental health

Functions Training (university undergraduates and

postgraduates, OH&S experts, employers and employees)

Research (applied and fundamental) Information (campaigns, materials, webpage

etc) Services (experts and laboratory)

Funding Mixed: University (training), National insurance

again occupational diseases and accidents (information and training), Various sources (research and services)


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Development of Latvian OH&S system

Work environment in Latvia has changed rapidly over last 15-20 years due to global changes and changes in Latvian (OH&S) system

Rather typical «country in transition» 2 stage legal reform

1993-2001 – «Soviet style» OH&S system intended for medium and large companies with accent to compensation rather than prevention

Since 2002 – EU based OH&S legislation with ~95% requirements transposed (EU Member since 2004)


Development of Latvian OH&S system Major survey introduced in 2005-2006 to

gather data on real situation (EU Social Fund)

Legal requirements reviewed in 2007-2009 to reduce administrative burden

OH&S Development strategy (2008-2013) with two 3 year implementation programs adopted based on EU OH&S Strategy

Good success in some areas and NOT SO GOOD in other

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Good situation System of training and diagnostics of

occupational diseases Building up of training for various

OH&S experts Setting up of external OH&S system Research support to policy makers

continued Information board (coordination of

activities) established7



No so good situation Reporting and investigation of

occupational accidents (many reasons...)

Information and awareness rising for employers, general public and workers

General attitude towards safety and health in broader sense

«Grey economy» that is linker with poorer OH&S performance

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Total number of first time registered occupational patients and occupational diseases in Latvia during 1996-2010 per 100 000 employees


Number of first registered occupational diseases (absolute numbers) and registered occupational physicians

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Incidence of occupational diseases (per 100 000) in some selected industries

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Comparision of total accident rates (per 100 000) in EU (data: Eurostat)

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Comparision of lethal accident rates (per 100 000) in EU (data: Eurostat)

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Comparision of lethal accident rates (per 100 000) in EU (2005 – 2011)


Coverage of OH&S services in selected industries

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Legal framework for Social dialogue Based on EU Framework directive and

requirements Legally well developed and established at

company level At national level – trade union representation

sligthly falling despite efforts Mixture and confusion between trade unions

and labour right representatives Inherited sceptical attitude towards social

dialogue Reality?

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Data source

Data from 2 consecutive surveys on working conditions in Latvia in 2006 and 2010 (supported by European Social Fund) including interviews with: More than 1000 employers More than 2500 employees More than 200 OH&S experts

Third survey going on until March data will be analysed by the end year


Number of companies with workers representatives in Latvia

Type of represent

ation

% of companies with workers representives

2006 2010

1-9 10-49 50-249 >250 1-9 10-49 50-249 >250

Labour code

trustees4.9 15.6 29.1 46.1 6.4 19.5 32.9 42.0

Trade unions

0.6 7.4 27.4 36.0 0.1 8.8 37.6 42.7

Workers OH&S

trustees4.6 18.8 31.9 37.8 4.0 20.2 33.4 47.3


Information and awareness Major problems with lack of information and

awareness confirmed by survey in 2006 Leading also to lack of social dialogue in

broader sense of the terminology Based on this Latvia have changed

strategy and started information and awareness activities for all target groups and sectors Experts support involved in information activities

Focuss – good OH&S (and social dialogue) is good for you and your business

Efforts to involve new target groups

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How many (%) of your employees are exposed to any risks at workplace?

20

%


Have your participated in risk assessment at your workplace?


TOP - 5 work environment risks – Employers think differently!

Problem – only when we come to joint understanding we can agree on joint actions....

All agree – employers and workers:• Forced postures• Manual handling• Repetative movements

Employers:• Work with computer• Working outside

Workers:• Work with customers• Time pressure


Political «contribution» to development of social dialogue

All decisions accepted by OH&S subcouncil of National Tripartite committee

At national level all working groups, conferences etc. includes social partners

As of 2012 focuss on regional activities and efforts to involve people locally to facilitate social dialogue and working together Topic for 2013 – Accidents & near-

misses and simple solutions in OH&S (Preventing together)

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«New» target groups

Efforts to approach new target groups to «mainstream» OH&S in other topics and improve knowledge and dialogue Advertising industry Purchasing and tendering experts School children and teachers

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http://www.president.lv/pk/content/?cat_id=601&type=image&id=1929&page=2&pos=2&lng=en


www.swedbank.lv 14.11.2011.




New principle in preparation of training and information materials

Most of information and training materials are made on special topics for several target groups and using several media Topics approved and suggested by social

partners, approved by National information board

Usually version for experts and employers and special version for employees

When possible supported by visual materials (posters, films etc.)

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Example

Short pocket size handbook for workers supported by animated cartoon (also in RUS and ENG)

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Example – Chemical safety

Changes in REACH system and new requirements of CLP Assistance to changes on legal regulations Elaboration of brochure for experts on new

requirements of CLP Poster of new labelling requirements In 2012 – regional seminars on new

requirements for experts In 2013 – additional information materials on

chemical safety for workers using them at workplaces

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Support to EU OSHA campaigns

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Can this make difference for employers?

Can social dialogue and «more OH&S» make difference to employers?

YES! The survey data shows that employers

that are either involved in employers organisations or have any representation of workers at their companies PERFORM BETTER with regards to OH&S

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How many (%) of your employees are exposed to any risks at workplace?

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2006 2010 NO 2010 WITH workers reps workers reps


How has the level of OH&S changed during last 5 years?

1998. – Worklife barometer2002. – Worklife barometer

2006. – Survey Working conditions and risks2010. – Survey Working conditions and risks

%

2010 WITH 2010 NO workers reps workers reps


% of companies with risk assessment and action plan on OH&S

2006

2010 – WITH workers representatives

2010 – NO workers representatives


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2010 – member of emppoyers organizations

2010 – NO member of Employers organizations


2010

2006



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2010 – NO common agreement

2010 – WITH common agreement

2010

2006


Main lessons learnt Main message is simple – PREVENTING

TOGETHER must be the message of any OH&S strategy

Message for bussiness leaders shall be - social dialogue is good for business!

Legal and institutional framework is essential and must include all key partners

Information and training must include all target groups and OH&S must be included in all topics for all ages

Use all available funding (including EU)43

Documents

Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Riga, Latvia 11 Multi-Country Workshop on Developing Systems for Occupational Health and Safety