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

58 EVALUATION OF THE EUREVALUATION OF THE EUROPEAN STRATEGY ON SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK 2007-201258Table 4-7 Overview <strong>of</strong> implementation under Objective 1.1Action Stakeholder AssessmentDraw up practical guides on directives 92/57/ECC,2004/40/EC, 2006/25/ECCOM + ACSHFulfilled but limited effectbecause <strong>of</strong> weak disseminationIdentify areas for which guides are necessary ACSH FulfilledMake guides easier for SMEsACSHRecommendations made /ambivalent outcomeFocus efforts to raise awareness and disseminate bestpractices on SMEs and high-risk sectorsEU-OSHAFulfilledImplement instruments to facilitate implementation <strong>of</strong>OSH legislationMSPartly fulfilledExamination and recommendations over <strong>the</strong> issue <strong>of</strong>subcontractingCOM + ACHSNot fulfilled (but action fromSLIC on <strong>the</strong> topic)Analysis <strong>of</strong> need for recommendation on access topreventive servicesCOMNot fulfilledThe outcome <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> actions taken over <strong>the</strong> past 5 years, at both EU and MemberState levels, to streng<strong>the</strong>n <strong>the</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> EU OSH legislation is ambivalent.The majority <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> actions prescribed in <strong>the</strong> European Strategy may have beenimplemented but <strong>the</strong>ir impact has been quite limited ei<strong>the</strong>r because <strong>the</strong>ir fullpotential has not been exploited (e.g. lacking dissemination <strong>of</strong> non-binding guides)or because <strong>the</strong> Commission has failed to take actions on <strong>the</strong> topics for which EUaction would have been most beneficial (e.g. subcontracting and economicincentives).Streng<strong>the</strong>ning implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> EU legislation is a crucial aspect <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Commission’s action in any EU regulated area, including health and safety at work.As such, it is doubtful that it is relevant to put forward as a sub-objective as it iscurrently defined. The sub-objective is closely related to o<strong>the</strong>r objectives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>European <strong>strategy</strong>, especially objective 2 on national strategies and objective 4 onpreventive culture, which also support <strong>the</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> legislation.The implementation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> European Strategy has focused on areas whereCommission action is, in any case, taken for granted and has failed to focus onactions at EU level that would make a difference for <strong>the</strong> Member States, whichface similar difficulties with <strong>the</strong> implementation <strong>of</strong> EU OSH legislation. The<strong>strategy</strong> itself has addressed <strong>the</strong> right issues in certain instances (non-bindingguidance, subcontracting, preventive services) but failed to define stricterresponsibilities, more ambitious goals and clear expected outcomes <strong>of</strong> plannedactions.http://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