Health and safety at work: overview, principles and standards

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Post Date: 28/09/2023

Health and safety at work: overview, principles and standards

This article provides an overview of the subject of Health and Safety at Work in Europe, with particular attention to the role of the ISO 45001 standard in the prevention of accidents at work. Data and statistics on occupational diseases and accidents at work, as well as policies and regulations governing occupational health and safety are presented. Data and statistics on occupational diseases and accidents at work, as well as policies and regulations governing occupational health and safety are presented.

 

What does occupational health and safety mean?

Occupational health and safety represents a series of activities, policies and tools aimed at preventing accidents and occupational diseases, as well as promoting the physical and mental well-being of workers.

Health and safety at work is of fundamental importance for the protection of labor rights, and it is also an obligation for companies, which are required by law to guarantee safe and healthy working conditions. In addition, investing in the prevention of accidents at work can help improve the productivity and efficiency of companies along with the company’s reputation and image.

Workplace injury prevention activities may include risk assessment, worker training, safety equipment adoption, health surveillance, incident management, and the implementation of company policies, standards, and procedures that promote a safety culture.

Overview of health and safety at work

Among the sectors with the highest number of accidents at work are manufacturing, trade and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles, construction and agriculture. In particular, the construction sector represents a particularly critical area, with the highest number of fatal accidents.

Health and safety at work in Europe

According to Eurostat, 2019. There were 2 million accidents at work in the European Union, a decrease compared to the previous year. Most accidents occur in the manufacturing, construction and transport and logistics industries.

In addition, Eurostat shows that Southern European countries, including Italy, have higher rates of accidents at work than other European countries. In 2019, for example, the rate of accidents at work in Italy was 2.2 accidents per 100 workers, while in Germany and the United Kingdom the rate was 0.9 accidents per 100 workers.

In general, the prevention of accidents at work is a very current issue in Europe and internationally, as shown by the evolution of the ISO 45001 standard.

What are the security principles?

The principles of safety at work are based on the prevention of risk and the protection of the health of workers. These principles include hazard identification and preventive measures, worker training, worker health surveillance and active worker participation in accident prevention.

Who guarantees health and safety at work

Health and safety at work is guaranteed by companies and workers. Companies are required to take preventive measures to prevent accidents at work, such as training workers or identifying hazards and taking protective measures. On the other hand, workers are required to adhere to the preventive measures approved by the company and to correctly use the equipment and protections made available.

The value of the ISO 45001 standard to curb the problem of accidents at work

The ISO 45001 standard is an international standard that defines the requirements for an Occupational Health and Safety Management System. Implementation of this standard can bring numerous benefits to companies, including:

  • Improving performance: the implementation of the ISO 45001 standard can help companies improve their performance in terms of health and safety at work, thanks to the definition of policies and procedures aimed at preventing accidents;
  • Economic benefits: the occupational health and safety management system can lead to a reduction in costs related to occupational accidents and diseases. In fact, a company that adopts policies to prevent accidents and protect the health of workers can reduce the costs of insurance, accident compensation, medical examinations and replacement of staff absent due to illness or injury;
  • Tax advantages: in Italy, ISO 45001 certified companies can access tax reductions, such as reduced INAIL contribution rates;
  • Improving efficiency: The implementation of the standard can help increase the efficiency of business activities, reducing the number of accidents at work and the costs associated with them;
  • Regulatory compliance: the ISO 45001 standard helps companies comply with national and international regulations on occupational health and safety;
  • Improving stakeholder relations ISO 45001 can help improve relations with stakeholders, including employees, customers and stakeholders;
  • Improving the corporate image: the implementation of the standard can contribute to improving the image and reputation of the company, demonstrating a concrete commitment to the protection of the health and safety of workers.

Obligations and fulfillment of health and safety at work

The adoption of preventive measures in the field of occupational health and safety is mandatory for all companies. Among the obligations provided by the Consolidated Law on Occupational Safety are the processing of the Risk Assessment Document (DVR), the training of workers on accident prevention and the adoption of protective measures for workers, such as the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

 

Role of the ISO 45001 Lead Auditor

The role of the ISO 45001 Chief Auditor is fundamental to ensure compliance with safety standards in the workplace. In particular, the chief auditor is tasked with performing internal audits and third-party audits to verify that the company is in compliance with the security standards required by ISO 45001.

Being qualified as a Lead Auditor for ISO 45001 can represent an interesting career opportunity for professionals involved in the occupational health and safety sector or for those who want to expand their technical skills.

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