1. "Prevention of occupational risks in the construction sector", Bucharest, November 4, 2004 Ingemar Sternerup European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

2. European Agency for Safety and Health at WorkBilbao, Spain

3. The European Agency… • Aims to make Europe’s workplaces safer, healthier and more productive • Collects and disseminates information to improve the occupational safety and health in Europe

4. Key areas of the Agency’s activities • Network development - building the links • Information services - communicating knowledge • Information projects - developing knowledge

5. EU Focal Points CC Focal Points EEA EFTA Focal Points

8. What is the European Week ? • An Information campaign to address a specific theme relating to Occupational Safety and Health • Objectives: • Increase awareness of risks in the workplace • Promote good practice solutions

9. Themes of the Weeks • 2000 Work-related musculoskeletal disorders • 2001 Accidents • 2002 Work-related stress. • 2003 Dangerous substances at work • 2004 Construction • 2005 Noise

10. European Week 2004 is dedicated to risk prevention in construction activities, including building, demolition, repairs, painting etc. • The EW 2004 slogan is: “SĂ CONSTRUIM ÎN SIGURANŢĂ” (“BUILDING IN SAFETY”)

13. CONSTRUCTION’S HEAVY HUMAN COST • Over 800,000 accidents a year in Europe, including 1300 fatal accidents; • Widespread exposure to hazardous substances, leading to cancers, respiratory difficulties and other ailments; • Half of Europe’s 12 million construction workers will suffer musculoskeletal problems.

14. THE FINANCIAL COSTS ARE EQUALLY HIGH • Poor safety and health inflates construction costs by an estimated 8.5%; • This equates to €75 billion a year; • Most of these costs are borne by taxpayers as most construction projects are publicly funded.

15. PARTNERSHIPS HOLD THE KEY TO SUCCESS • SMEs lack the resources to do it alone: Most safety and health problems are concentrated in this sector. • Everyone involved in construction – from architects to engineers - must also help: Many accidents are due to decisions taken before construction starts.

16. Some examples of European Week activities • Workplace safety demonstrations • National inspection days • TV advertising campaigns • Training sessions • Open days • Seminars and workshops • Competitions • Exhibitions • Press conferences

17. What does the Agency do for European Week? • Coordinates activities • Organises a Launch Event • Produces and disseminates information in 20 languages • Provides funding to stimulate activities • Organises Good Practice Awards • Organises Closing Event in Bilbao

18. Campaign material produced by the Agency • Poster and EW leaflet • Fact sheets • Safe small site management • Noise in construction • Safe roof work • Summary of case studies • Asbestos in construction • Magazine • Dedicated web feature

21. Co-operation next year We hope to support the Romanian Focal Point with: European Week 2005 Website maintenance Translation and printing Participation in meetings in Bilbao

22. Staying in touch • Use the Agency website http://agency.osha.eu.int/ • and the Romanian Agency Focal Point website http://www.protectiamuncii.ro/