The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has launched its new Healthy Workplaces campaign for 2010/11, on the theme ‘promoting safe maintenance across Europe’.
Maintenance work is essential to prevent workplace risks, but itself involves risks for workers that carry it out. It is estimated that, in Europe, 10-15 per cent of fatal accidents at work can be attributed to maintenance operations, and in some European countries as much as 20 per cent of all workplace accidents are connected with maintenance.
The potential consequences of inadequate maintenance procedures were also highlighted by the North Sea Piper Alpha disaster in 1988, which resulted in the deaths of 167 offshore workers.
Giving the campaign his backing, alongside EU-OSHA director Dr Jukka Takala, EU commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion, László Andor, said: “Maintenance is a daily part of every workplace and sector. The 20 per cent of accidents currently linked to maintenance is too high and shows it’s an area where we have to raise awareness and step up our efforts.”
He added: “Our overall strategy is to cut all work-related accidents in the EU by 25 per cent over the coming years. This campaign will help raise awareness about maintenance-related risks, saving lives across Europe, and bringing us closer to our overall goal of safer and healthier workplaces.”
Commenting on the Agency’s campaign, HSE chair Judith Hackitt encouraged everyone to get involved in the project. “We know that maintenance can be one of the most dangerous activities people do at work, and it is important that it is managed properly,” she explained. “Everyone, whether you are a manager or a worker, has a role to play in ensuring that we reduce accidents and ill health at work arising from maintenance activities. This campaign provides materials to help make this happen.”
To download the official campaign guide and other materials (presentations, publications and promotional material in 22 languages), and for a list of campaign events that will be happening near you, visit the campaign website: http://hw.osha.europa.eu
