Occupational health and safety

9.12.2014

Question for written answer E-010388-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Caterina Chinnici (S&D)

Every year in the EU thousands of people die as a result of accidents at work and tens of thousands die from work-related diseases. There are more than 3 million industrial accidents and a quarter of all employees face hazardous or damaging conditions. The problems mainly but not exclusively concern small and medium-sized enterprises. Companies and employees often become aware of the safety regulations only when they receive visits from the labour inspectors, who do not or cannot always operate with sufficient effectiveness.

1. In what way does the Commission intends to put into practice the policies under the occupational health and safety strategic framework for 2014-2020 to help those companies which are committed to protecting occupational health and safety but are experiencing financial, administrative, technical or legal difficulties that exceed their capabilities?

2. How does the Commission intend to intervene — whilst respecting Member States’ competence, but making full use of EU competence — to increase the effectiveness of monitoring mechanisms and mechanisms to exert pressure and, if necessary, crack down on companies which instead, despite huge profits and financial means, do nothing or almost nothing to ensure their employees’ health and safety?