Brussels, 04/06/2007 (Agence Europe) - In order to improve the prevention of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSD), which threaten an increasing number of workers and which, according to estimates, represent 53% of all work-related diseases in the EU, Commissioner Vladimir Spidla (Employment/Social Affairs) announced on Monday that he was prepared to legislate on this issue. However, he is still waiting for responses from the European social partners to the second consultation, which was launched on 14 March 2007 on this subject, before he takes a decision. Speaking to the press on the day of the launch of the “Lighten the Load” campaign, in Brussels this 4 June, Mr Spidla presented the objectives of such a legislative initiative, which are: (1) creating a common definition of MSD, (2) carrying out an assessment of risk factors, (3) setting ergonomic prevention programmes in place within companies, and (4) laying down minimal requirements in terms of health and safety in the workplace. However, Commissioner Spidla would like to go even further: he feels that “measures of a non-legal nature should also be developed”, such as guidelines, information and awareness actions, or framework actions negotiated by the social partners at all levels, referring, by way of example of best practice, to the framework agreement signed by the social partners in the agricultural sector (see EUROPE 9073).
This awareness campaign was launched in the presence of the secretary of state to the German Ministry for Employment and Social Affairs, Rudolf Anzinger, and the director of the Health and Safety Agency of Bilbao, Jukka Takala. It will culminate during the European Week for Health and Safety in the Workplace, which will take place from 22-26 October 2007 with a series of activities and events, but also prizes for best practice (for details, please see http: //ew2007.osha.europa.eu).
Referring to the results of the fourth European investigation into work conditions, carried out by the Dublin Foundation, Vladimir Spidla revealed that: (1) 24% of workers in the EU25 state that they suffer from back pains; (2) 22% complain of muscular pains; (3) 62% of workers are exposed to repetitive movements of the hand or arm for at least a quarter of their working time, 36% to painful or tiring positions and 35% to heavy loads to lift or carry. “It is in the interests of employers, workers and the public authorities to get together to fight this disease, given its major costs both from a human and an economic point of view”, commented the commissioner. He went on to state that in economic terms, “MSD translates into: loss of productivity for companies in terms of hours of work lost and absenteeism caused by it, excessive costs to companies in terms of compensation and insurance costs, a loss of experienced personnel and the costs of recruiting and training new employees, and the burden on social security systems”. Vladimir Spidla added that overall, this cost can be estimated at between 0.5% and 2% of GNI, depending on the member state.
The commissioner stated that he was concerned by the prevalence of this phenomenon in Europe, “which is running the risk of continuing or even increasing”, in view of the ageing population. “If we are to motivate people to remain active for longer, we must ensure not only economic incentives, but also make sure that they are in good health!”, said Mr Spidla, reiterating that these chronic diseases have an extremely negative incidence on quality of life for older people, and on the demand brought to bear on the social and health care services. (gb)