evaluation of the european strategy on safety and health at work ...

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