Protection against new occupational risks

23.1.2017

Question for written answer E-000318-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Dominique Martin (ENF)

The take-up by companies of new technologies has generated new forms of employment and working conditions. Insecure and piecemeal employment, and at times a greater isolation of workers, has seen the emergence of new occupational risks. The Commission wishes to keep abreast of these developments and improve the regulatory framework for health and safety at work,

but in reality working conditions can change so rapidly that it is difficult to pinpoint emerging risks and legislate against them.

1. Is the Commission not seeking, in this way, to harmonise Member States’ legislative mechanisms?

2. How is it proposing the risk of divergence be averted, which would undermine the principle of subsidiarity?

3. In practice, would it not be more relevant for accelerated procedures for reporting risk situations to be introduced at the national level?