European Federation of Building and Woodworkers Has currently 63 affiliates in 24 countries throughout Europe Represents about 2.3 Mio. workers Executive Committee Standing Committee Construction Standing Committee Wood Health- and Safety Co-ordination Group General Assembly AWARE meeting Gent– 5 October 2007

European legislation on OSH AWARE meeting Gent– 5 October 2007 Construction and woodworking sectors are high risk sectors OSH has improved over the last decades Framework directive and single directives A new understanding on prevention The situation remains insufficient Fourth survey on the Dublin Foundation New hazards on the increase / old hazards stable Approximately death by work related cancer Only skin diseases cost the EU-countries 1 billion € every year

Europa heute Noise Smoke, fume, dust Noise Radia tion Repetitive Hand or Arm movements AWARE meeting Gent– 5 October 2007

EFBWW activities on chemicals AWARE meeting Gent– 5 October 2007 Substitution of CRM’s remains our main goal Asbestos Organic solvents in paints, varnishes … Chromate in Cements Wood dust / Silica dust Substitution by less harmful products Protect workers health Is not a question of competition Saves public money Needs changes in habits of producers, customers, workers …

EFBWW on the REACH regulation AWARE meeting Gent– 5 October 2007 The existing regulation for the protection of workers with chemicals is insufficient The EFBWW welcomed the REACH regulation The initial proposal was watered down by strong lobbying Nevertheless, REACH allows progress The regulation is weak concerning the downstream users The registration proceedings are a basis but no guarantee for the provision of necessary information A proper Risk Assessment need proper information The EFBWW is in favour of an Information System on Chemicals Products for the Construction Industry

A European Information System AWARE meeting Gent– 5 October 2007 Required information Risks and hazards / safety data sheets Protective measures to avoid the hazards Opportunities for replacement/substitution Product codes Target Group End users: workers as well as employers Health and Safety representatives and professionals

A European Information System AWARE meeting Gent– 5 October 2007 “The product code shall give the target group the opportunity to select between products the product least dangerous to human health”

EFBWW activities on chemicals AWARE meeting Gent– 5 October 2007 Substitution and prevention Classification and ban of a substance is a question at scientific level and the ban of a substance/product is a political conflict Normally, substitution is not a question of company level Prevention is a daily task Appropriate prevention depends on available and understandable information

EFBWW activities on chemicals AWARE meeting Gent– 5 October 2007 Specialities in Construction Mobile work places Continuous change in working conditions Increasing use of chemical products Very high degree on SME’s General demand Understandable and well shaped information

A European Information System AWARE meeting Gent– 5 October 2007 Exposure scenarios Must provide proper information for risk assessments Have to supply information for the different applications Operational conditions must taken into consideration Methods of measurements have to be validated

A European Information System AWARE meeting Gent– 5 October 2007 Our project Will be initiated as a social Partner project with the support of the European Commission Project partners should be producers, prevention bodies and the insurances Taking into consideration Existing code systems – like “AWARE”, “MAL-Code”, “GISBAU” or “LARA” The information system shall be electronically based and available in all languages