European network for workplace health promotion presentation

EuropeAid/114778/C/SU/UA A. EuropeAid/114778/C/SU/UA A. Cerdá MicóCerdá Micó

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The European Network for The European Network for Workplace Health Promotion Workplace Health Promotion

(ENWHP) 2001 (ENWHP) 2001

Report of the Current Status Report of the Current Status of WHP in Small & Medium of WHP in Small & Medium

Enterprises (SMEs)Enterprises (SMEs)(19 countries)(19 countries)


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Objectives:Objectives: provide overview provide overview current practice in workplace OHS pro-current practice in workplace OHS pro-

motionmotion in SMEs in the European Union in SMEs in the European Union We will analyse:We will analyse:

I - general economic and health I - general economic and health conditions conditions

II - current procedures and II - current procedures and regulations regulations

III - conditions which inhibit or III - conditions which inhibit or promote practice in both fields promote practice in both fields


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SpecialSpecial features of SMEs features of SMEs

The role of the enterprise ownerThe role of the enterprise owner regard themselves as independent/enjoy regard themselves as independent/enjoy

personal autonomy to make decisions.personal autonomy to make decisions. very sceptical about formal legal require-very sceptical about formal legal require-

ments.ments. If health-related strategies are implemented, If health-related strategies are implemented,

they tend to be of a short-term nature.they tend to be of a short-term nature. Longer-term strategic and conceptionalLonger-term strategic and conceptional programmes, required for preventive action, programmes, required for preventive action,

are therefore less developed or not promoted.are therefore less developed or not promoted.


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Social relationships in Social relationships in enterpriseenterprise

strong family atmosphere = tend to be strong family atmosphere = tend to be family ownedfamily owned

employees tend to feel trust and loyalty employees tend to feel trust and loyalty towards the ownertowards the owner

owner shows consideration/understanding owner shows consideration/understanding towards staff towards staff

Not surpris-ing institutionalised Not surpris-ing institutionalised representatives – e.g. works councils – representatives – e.g. works councils – have little significance than in large have little significance than in large companiescompanies


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Work requirementsWork requirements

characterised by simple characterised by simple organisational structuresorganisational structures

Fewer routine activitiesFewer routine activities significant degree of direct significant degree of direct

communicationcommunication Ad-hoc decisions & Ad-hoc decisions & improvisation are improvisation are

common than rigid regulations laid common than rigid regulations laid down in writing.down in writing.


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I General economic I General economic conditionsconditions

SMEs play a key role in the economic SMEs play a key role in the economic development of Europedevelopment of Europe

almost 20 million companies within almost 20 million companies within the 19 European states * employ the 19 European states * employ fewer than 250 peo-plefewer than 250 peo-ple

That is more than 99% of all That is more than 99% of all companiescompanies

77 million people work in SMEs77 million people work in SMEs


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% = Ireland 49; UK 55; Finland 59% = Ireland 49; UK 55; Finland 59Italy & Portugal 80; Spain 79; Greece 78Italy & Portugal 80; Spain 79; Greece 78

Regarding turnover and productivity (value added per Regarding turnover and productivity (value added per employee): larger enterprise / higher twoemployee): larger enterprise / higher two indicators indicators


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risk of accident is much higher in SMEs than in large risk of accident is much higher in SMEs than in large companiescompanies

fatal occupational accidents: are twice in enterprises fatal occupational accidents: are twice in enterprises with fewer than 50 employees than in companies with with fewer than 50 employees than in companies with more than 250 employeesmore than 250 employees

minor accidents in medium-sized and large enterprises minor accidents in medium-sized and large enterprises are more rigorously documented (makes that Austria, are more rigorously documented (makes that Austria, Denmark and Sweeden higher accident rates in larger Denmark and Sweeden higher accident rates in larger companies)companies)

sector of the economy plays major role in accident sector of the economy plays major role in accident situation: most accidents occur in the building industry. situation: most accidents occur in the building industry.

Industrial production processes (e.g. metal-working & Industrial production processes (e.g. metal-working & wood processing n) & agriculture are almost as wood processing n) & agriculture are almost as dangerousdangerous

Accident risk traditionally lowest in service Accident risk traditionally lowest in service sectorssectors Most occupational diseases are reported in building Most occupational diseases are reported in building

companies, metal-working sector, health services & companies, metal-working sector, health services & agriculture.agriculture.


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II Structures II Structures occupationaloccupationalhealth and safety for SMEshealth and safety for SMEs

Legislative frameworkLegislative framework Labour inspectionLabour inspection Occupational health & safety Occupational health & safety

servicesservices Employees representationEmployees representation


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a) Legislative frameworka) Legislative framework

(modified by the Nice Treaty) Social Policy

The Community will support and will complete the activities of the Member States in:

a) the improvement of the work environment to protect the workers’ health and safety

b) improving of working conditionsArt. 137.1 (before 118)


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Art. 137 (ex 118)Art. 137 (ex 118)

To such an end, the Council will: adopt directives as minimum dispositions that will apply progressively, taking into account the conditions and existent technical regulations in each one of the States members...


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Framework Directive 89/391/EEC Framework Directive 89/391/EEC Implementation of Measures to Improve theImplementation of Measures to Improve the

Health and Safety of Employees at Work: Health and Safety of Employees at Work: ChangesChanges

definition of OHS = more comprehensive and geared definition of OHS = more comprehensive and geared to preventionto prevention

The focus is now on cause-oriented toThe focus is now on cause-oriented to- risk avoidance- risk avoidance-adapta-tion of the working conditions to people (not -adapta-tion of the working conditions to people (not vice versa)vice versa)- com-prehensive OHS policy not solely aimed to - com-prehensive OHS policy not solely aimed to prevent accidents and paying compensationprevent accidents and paying compensation

the responsibility of the employer has been redefined the responsibility of the employer has been redefined = jobs have to be assessed for any risks and = jobs have to be assessed for any risks and appropriate action takenappropriate action taken

Include civil servants under scope of directive.Include civil servants under scope of directive.


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b) Labour inspectionb) Labour inspection despite differ-ent structures, qualifications, skills despite differ-ent structures, qualifications, skills

and responsibilities of the labour inspectors, their and responsibilities of the labour inspectors, their OHS strategies show more and more similaritiesOHS strategies show more and more similarities

The inspection mandate has been extended to The inspection mandate has been extended to include consultancy and information. The include consultancy and information. The employers are to be advised and informed by the employers are to be advised and informed by the inspectors as to how they should carry out their inspectors as to how they should carry out their obligations.obligations.

Although inspection and monitoring, linked with Although inspection and monitoring, linked with action in the case of blatant infringements are action in the case of blatant infringements are still relevant, a new, revised understand-ing of a still relevant, a new, revised understand-ing of a labour inspector’s role can be seenlabour inspector’s role can be seen


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b) Labour inspectionb) Labour inspection

the aim is no longer short-term, one-off the aim is no longer short-term, one-off elimination of all acute deficiencies, but the elimination of all acute deficiencies, but the detection of underlying (frequently detection of underlying (frequently organisational) shortcomingsorganisational) shortcomings

the labour inspector more as a mediator the labour inspector more as a mediator and advisor on OHS and less as an inspectorand advisor on OHS and less as an inspector

Remaining Problems: subject to restrictions Remaining Problems: subject to restrictions in terms of resources (few staff and in terms of resources (few staff and insufficient funds)insufficient funds)


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The smaller the enterprise/the less chances The smaller the enterprise/the less chances inspectedinspected

Swedend: typical situation in SMEs: labour inspec-torate Swedend: typical situation in SMEs: labour inspec-torate visits 15,000 of the 160,000 enterprises with fewer than 10 visits 15,000 of the 160,000 enterprises with fewer than 10 employees annuallyemployees annually- 75% of visits made to small enterprises- 75% of visits made to small enterprises- However the largest companies are contacted on average - However the largest companies are contacted on average almost three times a yearalmost three times a year- the smallest enterprises see a labour inspector once in ten - the smallest enterprises see a labour inspector once in ten years.years.

Problems: Problems: - Labour inspectorate perceived by SMEs as costly and time-- Labour inspectorate perceived by SMEs as costly and time-consumingconsuming

- regulations imposed by the authorities limit their - regulations imposed by the authorities limit their entrepreneurial autonomyentrepreneurial autonomy

- small enterprises have structures which are less hierarchical- small enterprises have structures which are less hierarchical


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- lot of proceedings work through oral - lot of proceedings work through oral communicationcommunication

- bureaucratic structures are less pronounced - bureaucratic structures are less pronounced than in large companiesthan in large companies

- formalised statutory procedures for occupational - formalised statutory procedures for occupational health and safety represent a majorhealth and safety represent a major burden = need for documentation, identification, burden = need for documentation, identification, self-monitoringself-monitoring

- limited resources = labour inspection is - limited resources = labour inspection is concentrated on high-risk work sitesconcentrated on high-risk work sites


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c) Occupational health and c) Occupational health and safety servicessafety services

the employers are legally obliged to the employers are legally obliged to provide care through OHS servicesprovide care through OHS services

size of the enterprise = the smaller the size of the enterprise = the smaller the enterprise, the less favourable the enterprise, the less favourable the situation issituation is- Although risk assessment is obligatory, it - Although risk assessment is obligatory, it only takes place in 30 to 50 % of small only takes place in 30 to 50 % of small enterprises (< 50 employees)enterprises (< 50 employees)- whereas in larger companies (> 100 - whereas in larger companies (> 100 employees) the proportion isemployees) the proportion isroughly 90%.roughly 90%.


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c) Occupational health and c) Occupational health and safety servicessafety services

OHS Preventive services: minimum OHS Preventive services: minimum requirementrequirement

only permitted or approved if at least four only permitted or approved if at least four different disciplines are represented: different disciplines are represented:

- occupational medicine (normally - occupational medicine (normally externalized),externalized),

- safety speciality- safety speciality

- occupational hygiene- occupational hygiene

- psycho-sociology and ergonomics - psycho-sociology and ergonomics


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MICRO ENTRERPRISES: MICRO ENTRERPRISES: employer employer

takes himself care of preventiontakes himself care of prevention Austria (< 26 employees), Belgium (< 20 Austria (< 26 employees), Belgium (< 20

employees), Germany (< 50 employees), Portugal employees), Germany (< 50 employees), Portugal (< 10 employees) and Spain (< 6 employees)(< 10 employees) and Spain (< 6 employees)

employers must learn about risk assessment, employers must learn about risk assessment, cost-efficiency, responsibility, organisation, cost-efficiency, responsibility, organisation, hazardous substances, etc.hazardous substances, etc.

employer is also obliged to take part in regular employer is also obliged to take part in regular further training further training programes (Germany)programes (Germany)

employer works personally at worksite (Spain)employer works personally at worksite (Spain) Practice: very few. Normal to get external Practice: very few. Normal to get external

preventive services advisepreventive services advise


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c) Occupational health and safety c) Occupational health and safety servicesservices

In Sweden there are 700 preventive service units with In Sweden there are 700 preventive service units with 7,000 doctors, nurses,7,000 doctors, nurses,psychologists, ergonomists, and physiotherapists working in psychologists, ergonomists, and physiotherapists working in joint private and branch ser-vicesjoint private and branch ser-vices

In Spain more than 1000 (Accident non profitable Funds In Spain more than 1000 (Accident non profitable Funds and Private Servicesand Private Services

In Finland the municipal model is the most importantIn Finland the municipal model is the most important The “Good Neighbour Scheme” is a programme (Irish) to The “Good Neighbour Scheme” is a programme (Irish) to

encourage OHS in SMEs:encourage OHS in SMEs:- large enterprises with a good occupa-tional health and - large enterprises with a good occupa-tional health and safety infrastructuresafety infrastructure- act as mentors for small enterprises in their region- act as mentors for small enterprises in their region- they help and advise local SMEs, support them with their - they help and advise local SMEs, support them with their OHS services (including training) OHS services (including training)


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d) Health and safety committees d) Health and safety committees and representativesand representatives

health and safety representatives are frequently health and safety representatives are frequently closely linked to the trade unions. They are either closely linked to the trade unions. They are either nominated directly by the trade unions (UK) or nominated directly by the trade unions (UK) or approved byapproved bytrade unions following an election by the workforce trade unions following an election by the workforce (DK) or simply elected by workers (Spain) (DK) or simply elected by workers (Spain)

countries where trade union membership has countries where trade union membership has declined (Fr) or (UK), the connection between declined (Fr) or (UK), the connection between enterprise occupation-al health and safety enterprise occupation-al health and safety representatives and the trade unions is weaker or representatives and the trade unions is weaker or getting weaker (Spain)getting weaker (Spain)


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d) Health and safety d) Health and safety committees and committees and representativesrepresentatives

they present a forum for employers’ and they present a forum for employers’ and employees’ delegates to discuss OHS and employees’ delegates to discuss OHS and together to find solutions together to find solutions

the committees also play important role in the committees also play important role in monitoring OHS measures and holding training monitoring OHS measures and holding training courses and information eventscourses and information events

they are useful tool to implement OHS in practicethey are useful tool to implement OHS in practice their establishment only obligatory for businesses their establishment only obligatory for businesses

of aof acertain size upwards. The limit is between 20 and certain size upwards. The limit is between 20 and 50 employees, depending on the country.50 employees, depending on the country.


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III Consequences and need III Consequences and need for actionfor action

1) Awareness-raising, marketing and 1) Awareness-raising, marketing and communicationcommunication

traditional OHS, with its formality and bureaucracy, traditional OHS, with its formality and bureaucracy, is not suited to SMEs. is not suited to SMEs.

must be focused more on motivation, co-operation must be focused more on motivation, co-operation and consultancy as well as on interest and and consultancy as well as on interest and acceptanceacceptance

there is a need for positive and pragmatic OHS there is a need for positive and pragmatic OHS philosophies which are geared to everyday life in philosophies which are geared to everyday life in small enterprises integrating OHSin quality and small enterprises integrating OHSin quality and normal productive processnormal productive process

public relations work is essentialpublic relations work is essential


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2) Setting up infrastructures2) Setting up infrastructures(building supportive (building supportive

environments)environments) SMEs can only be achieved collectively = co-operation SMEs can only be achieved collectively = co-operation

all those involvedall those involved

political level = developing new policies and integrating political level = developing new policies and integrating existing ones:existing ones:- reinforcing OHS institutes- reinforcing OHS institutes- establishing dialogue between interested parties- establishing dialogue between interested parties- developing policy documents- developing policy documents- providing subsidies to organisations undertaking OHS - providing subsidies to organisations undertaking OHS Preventive Services or employing OHS professionalsPreventive Services or employing OHS professionals

improve and adapt vocational and long life training improve and adapt vocational and long life training concepts in OHS to meet new targetsconcepts in OHS to meet new targets


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3) WHP service management3) WHP service management

develop tailor-made quality-assured preventive develop tailor-made quality-assured preventive services for SMEsservices for SMEs

how these services can reach considerably more how these services can reach considerably more SMEs = services and measures must:SMEs = services and measures must:

- be closely related to practical problems and - be closely related to practical problems and experiences of SMEsexperiences of SMEs- they become part of everyday working life - they become part of everyday working life (integration)(integration)- be readily accessible, i.e. as local as possible.- be readily accessible, i.e. as local as possible.

Small Business & Entrepreneurship

European network for workplace health promotion presentation