Transcript Document

EPSU/Municipal Waste Europe
Seminar on Health and Safety in the Waste Industry:
An avenue for cooperation between social partners?
Brussels, 14 February 2012
Project “Identifying Common Interests
for Social Dialogue in the Waste Industry”
Directive 2010/32/EU “Prevention of sharps injuries”:
Process towards adoption + Key features + Follow up
Mathias Maucher
Policy Officer “Health and Social Services”
European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU)
Framework Agreement on the
prevention of sharps injuries in the hospital
and health care sector (17 July 2009)
• Prior to 2006: EP debate and resolution on the prevention
of blood-borne infections due to needle-stick injuries
• 2006-2007: 1st Stage Consultation of Social Partners
• 7 February 2008: Technical Seminar (presentation of case
studies; insight in complexity and urgency of problem)
• 2007-2008: 2nd Stage Consultation of Social Partners
• 26 January 2009: Start of 9 months negotiation period
• EC suspends own legislative proposal
• Appearance before EP, expressing displeasure about
social partners’ involvement/”hijacking” of dossier
• 2 June 2009: Agreement + 17 July 2009: Signature
• EC film on policy process: http://www.epsu.org/a/8217
Directive 2010/32/EU on the
prevention of sharps injuries in the hospital
and health care sector (10 May 2010)
• 25 January 2010: Invitation of European social partners to
European Council Social Questions Working Party
• Implementing the Framework Agreement + Making it
legally binding (=> Art. 155(2) TFEU) as of 11 May 2013
• Sets out an integrated approach with various key features
o Risk assessment (technology: instruments/devices; work
organisation; working conditions; level of qualifications; workrelated psycho-social factors; working environment
o Elimination, prevention and protection from exposure to risks (safe
procedures; use of medical devices with safety-engineered
protection mechanisms; ban of recapping; safe disposal)
o Information and awareness-raising (also for cleaning personnel!)
o Training (policies/procedures; induction for all new/temporary staff)
o Reporting (based on local, national, EU-wide reporting systems)
o Response (care for injured; investigation into causes) and follow up
What have European social partners
done since adoption of directive? (1)
• Meeting of European social partners with European
Agency for Safety and Health at Work (OSHA) in Bilbao
(11 May 2011) to exchange on mutual expectations for
and to discuss options of cooperation
• How can this be done, by building on OSHA’s networks,
dissemination channels and production capacities?
o
o
o
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Database of relevant research (studies; articles)
Awareness-raising
Dissemination (webpage; newsletter; targeted mailings)
Production of material (such as fact sheets, handbooks, toolkits,
training guides, audiovisual material) in different languages
o Helping to reach out to national stakeholders through OSHA’s
national focal points (having a tripartite structure)
=> Towards deliverables and commitments: Cooperation with
OSHA in 2012 and 2013 in a framework of a planned project
What have European social partners
done since adoption of directive? (2)
• Contribution to WHO seminars (Geneva & Bonn) and to
2nd European Biosafety Summit (Dublin, 1 June 2011)
• Participation in two workshops (Berlin, 5 and 6 May 2011
& Frankfurt/Main, 14 and 15 November 2011) organised
by the Aesculap Academie, involving OSH experts and
relevant stakeholders, aiming at the elaboration of
practical guidance (handbook) for those working on the
ground (health workers and middle management)
• Coordination meeting with relevant stakeholders and
affiliates to coordinate activities, production of material,
events and project work (Brussels, 25 October 2011)
• Sensitivisation of own members on their responsibility
and role to promote/be involved in transposition process
• To be done: Dissemination to all MS of Joint Clarification
(4 February 2010) elaborated for European Council
What do European social partners
plan to do in the near future?
• Discussion between HOSPEEM and ESPU and with
other stakeholders about activities/initiatives to support
the effective implementing of Directive 2010/32/EU
o Identification and dissemination of existing material (elaborated
by HOSPEEM or EPSU members, the European Biosafety
Network, an expert group linked to Aesculap Academie, OSHA)
o Preparation of project proposal to be submitted by EPSU and
HOSPEEM for co-funding by DG EMPL (in March 2012)
o Format: Regional workshops and final conference
o Topics: awareness raising, dissemination of information, risk
assessment, training, reporting, safety devices
• Using the SSDC HS to do survey about state of play as
to implementation and their involvement in different MS
• Strengthening role of social partners in the field of OSH,
if need be institutionalising their involvement in all MS