"The EU must take stronger action to protect the health of workers," say S&D Euro MPs

The European Parliament today called on the Commission to take more decisive action in order to protect workers against new risks of cancer, as well as psychological disorders such as stress and burnout.

S&D Euro MP and author of the European Parliament's resolution, Ole Christensen said:

"Every year more than 4,000 workers die due to accidents at work and the number of fatal work-related diseases amounts to more than 150,000 every single year. Even though considerable progress has been made in the area of occupational health and safety in the last number of years, much remains to be done.

"The Commission has done a fairly good job identifying many of the risks and challenges faced by workers in Europe. Now, however, is the time to put forward legislative proposals aimed at creating a more level playing field and further raising the level of occupational health and safety for all workers across Europe".

Among other things, the European Parliament's resolution calls for:

•    an update of the Directive 2004/37/EC (exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work) adding more binding exposure limit values on the basis of scientific evidence;
•    a proposal for a comprehensive legal instrument on musculoskeletal disorders;
•    the development and implementation of a programme for a systematic monitoring, managing and support for workers affected by psychological risks including stress and burnout;
•    the design and implementation of a model for asbestos screening and registration
•    the development of national action plans for the safe removal of asbestos;
•    the provision of common health indicators and definitions of work-related diseases, including stress at work, with a view to setting targets to reduce the incidence of occupational diseases;
•    protection of the rights of workers to the highest level regarding health and safety in the workplace regardless of the size of the employer, the type of job, the underlying contract or the member state of employment;
•    the drawing up of indicative reduction targets for occupational diseases and accidents at work.