EU lanceert veiligheidscampagne in de bouwsector (en)

The European Commission is launching a publicity campaign in the 10 new EU Member States highlighting the need for safety in the construction industry. The campaign will be accompanied by inspections of construction sites across these countries, pinpointing possible dangers and showing how to prevent them.

The construction sector has a higher than average death rate among workers. Some 13 workers per 100,000 were killed in 2001, compared with an all sector average of five per 100,000, according to Eurostat figures. The figure is even higher for the construction sector in the new Member States (24 per 100,000). The Commission's campaign will focus on many of the causes of these deaths and other injuries, including falling from a height, being struck by moving vehicles and getting hurt by falling objects.

The inspections of construction sites will take place over two periods. The first will be from June 6-19 and the second from September 26-October 9. They will be carried out by the countries' Labour Inspectorates and co-ordinated by the Senior Labour Inspectors Committee.

The campaign will highlight best practices in inspection, how best to conform to EU legislation in the area (in particular the Temporary and Mobile Workplaces Directive (92/57/EEC)) and help the new Member States through sharing the experiences of the old EU 15. Next year's campaign will focus on asbestos across the enlarged EU.