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EVALUATION OF THE EUROPEAN STRATEGY ON SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK 2007-2012183obtaining a global ban on <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> asbestos, or on improving <strong>the</strong> comparability <strong>of</strong>data on accidents.7.1.3 ImpactQ9: What were <strong>the</strong> effects generated from <strong>the</strong> actions taken by Member States and at <strong>the</strong>EU level as a result <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> European <strong>strategy</strong>?Lack <strong>of</strong> dataDue to lack <strong>of</strong> data, it is not currently possible to establish <strong>the</strong> extent to which <strong>the</strong>goal <strong>of</strong> achieving a 25% reduction in <strong>the</strong> incidence <strong>of</strong> occupational accidents hasbeen achieved. Based on <strong>the</strong> available data, it seems likely that a reduction willhave been achieved, but <strong>the</strong> extent <strong>of</strong> that reduction cannot yet be assessed. Withrespect to work related diseases, <strong>the</strong> limited data available suggests that <strong>the</strong> goal <strong>of</strong>a reduction in <strong>the</strong> incidence has not been achieved.Even when data does become available, <strong>the</strong> question will remain to what extent anyoverall change in <strong>the</strong> incidence <strong>of</strong> occupational accidents and diseases can beascribed, directly or indirectly, to <strong>the</strong> European <strong>strategy</strong>. It is well known that <strong>the</strong>number <strong>of</strong> accidents at work and <strong>the</strong> number <strong>of</strong> occupational illnesses areinfluenced by many factors o<strong>the</strong>r than those covered by <strong>the</strong> <strong>strategy</strong>. Also, <strong>the</strong>causal relationships between different actions, outcomes and impacts are complexand interlinked.It is <strong>the</strong>refore not possible within <strong>the</strong> framework <strong>of</strong> this <strong>evaluation</strong> to establishconclusions on <strong>the</strong> impact <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> European <strong>strategy</strong> on <strong>the</strong> level <strong>of</strong> work-relatedaccidents and diseases.Intermediate impactsAs a way to approach <strong>the</strong> question <strong>of</strong> impact, <strong>the</strong> <strong>evaluation</strong> has consideredintermediate impacts, which could contribute towards <strong>the</strong> wider impacts <strong>of</strong>reducing <strong>the</strong> incidence <strong>of</strong> work related accidents and diseases. Achieving suchdevelopments is essentially about changing behavioural patterns at <strong>the</strong> level <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>individual companies and <strong>the</strong>ir managers and <strong>the</strong> individual workers involved.National authorities and inspectorates are important intermediaries in <strong>the</strong> processwhen seen from <strong>the</strong> European perspective as are <strong>the</strong> employers and workersorganisations.The <strong>evaluation</strong> has in this context sought to address <strong>the</strong> following key questions:› Did <strong>the</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>strategy</strong> lead to a better implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>OSH Directives?› Did <strong>the</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>strategy</strong> lead to a higher degree <strong>of</strong> awareness <strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong> OSH regulation and <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> implementing instruments for better OSHmanagement?› Did <strong>the</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>strategy</strong> lead to a better understanding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>risks to be addressed and to <strong>the</strong> appropriate policy answers in terms <strong>of</strong>regulation or o<strong>the</strong>r instruments to address <strong>the</strong>se risks?http://projects.cowiportal.com/ps/A019055/Documents/3 Project documents/Interim and final report/Final report October 2012/OSH <strong>evaluation</strong>-report_Final_submitted 14 March2013.docx
184 EVALUATION OF THE EUREVALUATION OF THE EUROPEAN STRATEGY ON SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK 2007-2012184Impact on betterimplementationThe data on <strong>the</strong> detailed implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> OSH Directives in <strong>the</strong> MemberStates is scarce. The existing data suggests that implementation is a challenge - inparticular for SMEs. The <strong>strategy</strong> sought to address this by focusing on guides toimplementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Directives, addressing specific challenges in <strong>the</strong> areas <strong>of</strong>sub-contracting and prevention services and focusing on adaptation andsimplification <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> legal framework. The guides to implementation <strong>of</strong> Directiveshave had a marginal impact as <strong>the</strong>re has been a lack <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir dissemination. Inaddition, as <strong>the</strong>y are very complex <strong>the</strong>ir direct applicability in <strong>the</strong> companieshaving to implement <strong>the</strong> legal requirements can be questioned. There was verylimited activity in <strong>the</strong> areas <strong>of</strong> prevention services and sub-contracting, which alsoled to a very marginal impact. The same conclusion applies to <strong>the</strong> area <strong>of</strong>simplification <strong>of</strong> legislation.On <strong>the</strong> positive side, <strong>the</strong> <strong>strategy</strong> has influenced <strong>the</strong> policy framework in severalMember States and served as an important inspiration for Member States inpromoting OSH objectives. In those countries with more fragmented OSHstructures and actions, <strong>the</strong> European <strong>strategy</strong> has been an effective instrument inimproving <strong>the</strong>se and moving <strong>the</strong>se Member States closer to <strong>the</strong> more advancedcountries. Notwithstanding, implementation varies, with some Member Statesbeing more effective than o<strong>the</strong>rs. There are thus strong indications in <strong>the</strong> data that<strong>the</strong> European <strong>strategy</strong> led to action at <strong>the</strong> national level (through nationalstrategies), which would not o<strong>the</strong>rwise have been taken, and that this led to a betterimplementation <strong>of</strong> OSH regulation.The <strong>strategy</strong> has also provided an impetus towards a useful on-going dialoguebetween EU-OSHA, SLIC and ACSH, which has provided for key resourcepersons to exchange experiences and to improve <strong>the</strong>ir basis and capacity to supportprevention and <strong>the</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> legislation in <strong>the</strong> context <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir ownnational systems. During interviews, a number <strong>of</strong> national stakeholders haveemphasised <strong>the</strong> role <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> European <strong>strategy</strong> in relation to ensuring a levelplaying-field and <strong>the</strong> functioning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> internal market in <strong>the</strong> EU. They considerthat <strong>the</strong> <strong>strategy</strong> has contributed to a more harmonised implementation <strong>of</strong> OSHrequirements.The comprehensive <strong>evaluation</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> OSH Directives, to be undertaken in 2013-2014, will provide more detailed insights into <strong>the</strong> challenges faced by <strong>the</strong> MemberStates and <strong>the</strong> individual actors in implementing <strong>the</strong> legal framework. The results<strong>of</strong> this <strong>evaluation</strong> should feed into <strong>the</strong> planning <strong>of</strong> activities to be undertaken undera new <strong>strategy</strong>.In respect to instruments to address implementation challenges, <strong>the</strong> possibilities <strong>of</strong>applying economic instruments did not receive much attention under <strong>the</strong> current<strong>strategy</strong>. During <strong>the</strong> period <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> current <strong>strategy</strong> <strong>the</strong> evidence supporting <strong>the</strong>argument that investments in OSH create positive returns has been significantlystreng<strong>the</strong>ned. This indicates that economic instruments constitute a relevantinstrument to apply in OSH policy and this calls for future action, e.g. dialogue andexchange <strong>of</strong> experience among <strong>the</strong> Member States on this subject.Impact on awarenessEU-OSHA has undertaken a range <strong>of</strong> initiatives, in particular <strong>the</strong> HealthyWorkplaces campaign, which have been implemented with <strong>the</strong> active participationhttp://projects.cowiportal.com/ps/A019055/Documents/3 Project documents/Interim and final report/Final report October 2012/OSH <strong>evaluation</strong>report_Final_submitted14 March 2013.docx
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