The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) is running a new Europe-wide campaign from 2018 to 2019 titled “Healthy Workplaces Manage Dangerous Substances campaign”, to promote the prevention of risks related to dangerous substances in workplaces. Indeed, despite the EU comprehensive legislation on the issue, occupational exposure to dangerous substances continues to be a major safety and health concern.
In this framework, EBC successfully became an official EU-OSHA Healthy Workplace campaign partner. In fact, exposure to dangerous substances is a serious concern affecting construction workplaces, among others because of the frequent handling and use of chemical products, the exposition to carcinogenic liquids, fumes or dust, or the finding of harmful materials as asbestos during building maintenance or renovation works. EBC believes that the dissemination of high-quality information about the importance of a healthy and safety environment will support the prevention of risks related to dangerous substances and exposure to carcinogens at work. The joint efforts and actions of EBC and other campaign partners will further strengthen the risk prevention culture with aim of protecting workers, visitors, staff and everyone else who may be exposed to dangerous substances at work.
“Construction SMEs and craftsmen already take several actions to prevent all potential health and safety hazards on workplaces but we want to strengthen our engagement throughout the EU-OSHA Campaign on dangerous substances. We are fully committed to build a stronger risk prevention culture and create safer and healthier environments by increasing professionals’ knowledge, exchanging national and local good practices and providing adapted support to construction SMEs” said Patrick Liébus, EBC President.
EBC has committed to provide information to its members, construction stakeholders and relevant interested parties, and the whole civil society through several communication channels and social media tools. Additionally, EBC envisages organizing raising awareness events on dangerous substances targeting the construction industry, the SME community, universities and training providers. Furthermore, EBC will support several activities undertaken by campaign partners and EU-OSHA.
For more information on EU-OSHA campaign, click HERE