Baltic Regional Conference, 28-30.10.02, Riga The Agency and its information network with the Candidate countries Finn Sheye Network Manager

Aim of the Agency To help improve working conditions in the European Union by providing technical scientific and economic information to people with an interest in safety and health at work

Key Areas of Activity Network development - building the links Information services - communicating knowledge Information projects - developing knowledge

EU Focal Points CCs Focal Points EFTA Focal Points

http://osha.eu.int

http://agency.osha.eu.int

Main highlights - Information Services Number of user sessions on Agency website > 100.000 pr. month Sector related websites Number of subscribers to OSHmail > 10.000

Main Information Activities (1) Developing a European monitoring system for OSH Safe and healthy work in small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) - SME funding scheme

Main Information Activities (2) Safety and health information for risk sectors Development of an Information-system on Safety and Health in the Fisheries Sector Emerging risks/Changing world of work - Information system for new research on changing world of work emerging OSH risks - Women’s safety and health at work - collection and review of research information

Main Information Activities (3) Promoting a safety and health culture - European Week 2002 on psychosocial issues, especially work-related stress - European Week 2003 on dangerous substances - Mainstreaming occupational safety and health into the education system – programmes, practices and experiences

PHARE Programme 2001-2002 Build up national Focal Points in the 10 PHARE countries Build up national health and safety information networks with all relevant institutions and organisations incl. the social partners Establish and run a national Agency web-sites

PHARE Programme 2001-2002 Meetings Meetings in the Agency: Two Focal Point meetings, one tripartite meeting and two Internet meetings. Meetings in the CC’s to further discuss the developments with the Focal Points and the participants of the national networks.

PHARE Programme 2001-2002 Task 1: Inclusion of relevant H&S institutions/organisations in the national network Set up a national information network incl. the social partners and organise and co-ordinate it Regular contact with the network partners incl. efficient communication with the end users

PHARE Programme 2001-2002 Task 2: Distribution of information and creation of new information Take part in disseminating Agency material incl. press releases Contribution to Agency info-projects, where relevant Set up system of quality assurance

PHARE Programme 2001-2002 Task 3: Set up and run a national Agency web-site Set up national Agency web-site incl. the technical installations and basic configurations. Put national H&S information on the web-site on the all the categories and translate if possible information into other languages, e.g. English

PHARE II - 2002-2004 - 1 PHARE II runs from November 2002 – May 2004 Total funding 1.050.000 Euro

PHARE II - 2002-2004 - 2 1. Continuation of the tasks from PHARE I: Further develop the National Focal Points Further develop the national health and safety information networks Run and update the national Agency web-sites

PHARE II - 2002-2004 - 3 Set up and run a CC Topic Centre on good practice information in co-operation with EU Institutions Possible sectors/topics: Construction and agriculture sectors and dangerous substances and stress

PHARE II - 2002-2004 - 4 Meetings: Meetings in the Agency: 3 Focal Point meetings, 1 tripartite meeting, 2-3 Internet meetings and 1 European Week Group meeting. Meetings in the CC’s to discuss developments with the Focal Points and the participants of the national networks.

PHARE II - 2002-2004 - 5 Translation: The Agency will financially support the PHARE countries on translation of material for the web-site into English and of Agency material (incl. European Week material) from English into the national languages

PHARE II - 2002-2004 - 6 European Week: Include the Candidate countries in the European Week Group and support the PHARE countries to arrange European Week 2003 events

European Week 2002 Theme: Prevention of work-related psychosocial risks, especially stress Objectives: Increase awareness Promote good practice solutions Slogan: ‘Working on Stress’ Date: October 2002

A European challenge More than 40 million workers in the EU report being affected by stress each year High social and economic costs: estimated €20 billion a year

Campaign model Decentralised European information campaign Partnership approach - Agency, Focal Points, social partners, EU institutions, EU presidency Beyond the EU : EFTA & Candidate Countries

EW 2002 Campaign material Provided by the Agency to the Members States for dissemination and promotion of the EW at national level Campaign pack: Poster and Postcards EW leaflet Good Practice Award Flier Fact Sheets http://osha.eu.int/ew2002/ew2002.htm