Tag Archives: Accident prevention

Road safety: Policy orientations on road safety 2011-20

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Road safety: Policy orientations on road safety 2011-20

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Road safety: Policy orientations on road safety 2011-20

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Transport > Road transport

Road safety: Policy orientations on road safety 2011-20

rd road safety action programme, the Commission has published policy orientations on road safety to provide a general framework, under which concrete action can be taken at European, national, regional or local levels from 2011 until 2020.

Document or Iniciative

Commission Communication of 20 July 2010 to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions – “Towards a European road safety area: policy orientations on road safety 2011-2020” [COM(2010) 389 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

Although progress was made on road safety in the European Union (EU) during the 3rd European road safety action programme (2003-10), the Commission highlights that efforts to improve road safety need to be further strengthened. This 3rd road safety action programme (RSAP) included an ambitious target to halve the number of road deaths by 2010 as well as numerous proposals for concrete actions in vehicle safety, safety of infrastructure and users’ safety. Although the Commission accepts that the initial target was not likely to be met by the end of 2010, the RSAP has encouraged EU countries to be more proactive in improving road safety and has gone a long way to dramatically reduce the number of fatalities on EU roads.

The European road safety policy orientations 2011-20 aims to provide a general framework and challenging objectives to guide national and local strategies, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity. Within the general framework, the Commission highlights the need to:

  • create a cooperation framework based on the exchange of best practices across the EU;
  • adopt a strategy for injuries and first aid to address the need to reduce the number of road injuries;
  • improve the safety of vulnerable road users.

Principles and target

The Commission sets out three main principles:

  • striving for the highest road safety standards throughout Europe – by encouraging EU citizens to take primary responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others on EU roads, and by focusing on improving the safety of more vulnerable road users;
  • an integrated approach to road safety – through cooperation with other EU policy areas, such as energy, environment, education, innovation and technology, and justice.
  • subsidiarity, proportionality and shared responsibility – through the concept of shared responsibility, commitment and concrete actions at all levels from EU countries and their authorities to regional and local bodies.

Following the RSAP 2003-10, the Commission proposes to maintain the target of halving the overall number of road deaths in the EU between 2010 and 2020. This ambitious target demonstrates the EU’s clear commitment towards road safety and having a common objective is intended to provide EU citizens with a more uniform level of road safety within the EU. The Commission encourages individual EU countries to contribute to the achievement of this common target through their own national road safety strategies.

During the public consultation for these policy orientations, which took place between July and December 2009, a target for reducing road traffic severe injuries was proposed. Once a common definition exists for ‘severe injuries’, the Commission will propose to add a common “injuries reduction target” to these European road safety policy orientations up to 2020.

Strategic objectives

The Commission has identified seven objectives, for which actions will be proposed at both EU and national level:

  • improve education and training of road users – the quality of the licensing and training system needs to be improved, with emphasis on young drivers. The Commission will work with EU countries to develop a common educational and training road safety strategy including pre-test learning, the driving licence test, and post-licence training;
  • increase enforcement of road rules – the Commission, the European Parliament and the Council will work together to establish a cross-border exchange of information in the area of road safety. The Commission will also work towards a common road safety enforcement strategy which will involve enforcement campaigns, national enforcement objectives, and vehicle technology to assist enforcement, including the possibility of speed limiters in light commercial vehicles and alcohol interlock devices;
  • safer road infrastructure – the Commission will ensure that European funds will only be granted to infrastructure that complies with the EU safety requirements. The Commission will also promote the application of the relevant principles of safe management to the secondary road network of EU countries, in particular through the exchange of best practices.
  • safer vehicles – as well as continue to encourage the progress of vehicle safety, the Commission will also evaluate and propose actions in the area of harmonisation and progressive strengthening of EU legislation on roadworthiness tests and on technical roadside inspections;
  • promote the use of modern technology to increase road safety – the Commission will continue to promote the use of Intelligent Transport Systems to improve road traffic safety. The effectiveness and speed of rescue will be enhanced by the adoption of the European emergency call service fitted to vehicles, ‘eCall’;
  • improve emergency and post-injuries services – the Commission will propose the establishment of a global strategy of action on road injuries and first aid. The Commission will in particular examine the means to improve the efficiency of first aid intervention and post-care handling in order to reduce the impact of road accidents.
  • protect vulnerable road users – the Commission will work to improve the safety of motorcyclists, addressing behaviour, as well as vehicle and infrastructure safety. It will also encourage the establishment of adequate infrastructures to increase the safety of cycling and other vulnerable road users.

Implementation of the European road safety policy orientations 2011-20

A framework for open cooperation between EU countries and the Commission will be established to facilitate the implementation of the EU road safety policy. Parallel to this, EU countries should also develop national road safety plans including specific national objectives which are individual to their particular situation.

The Commission will pursue the improvement of the existing tools for data collection and analysis, such as CARE, the EU database on road accidents established in accordance with Council Decision 93/704/EC, as well as the European Road Safety Observatory (ERSO), which makes publicly available through the Internet road safety data and knowledge at European level.

Road safety: cross-border application of the legislation

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Road safety: cross-border application of the legislation

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Road safety: cross-border application of the legislation

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Internal market > Motor vehicles > Technical implications of road safety

Road safety: cross-border application of the legislation

Document or Iniciative

Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council facilitating cross-border enforcement in the field of road safety [COM(2008) 151 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Summary

Traffic offences committed in a Member State with a vehicle registered in another Member State often go unpunished. Bilateral agreements have been signed by several Member States to put an end to this impunity but these agreements have proved difficult to implement. Failure to enforce sanctions against non-resident offenders renders road safety policy carried out at the Member State level less effective and discriminates against resident drivers.

The objective of this proposal is to facilitate enforcement against drivers who commit an offence in a Member State different to the one where the vehicle is registered.

The proposal calls for the creation of an electronic data exchange system across all European Union countries which would allow the authorities of a Member State where a traffic offence has been committed to identify the offender and notify them of the sanction resulting from that offence.

Scope

The directive concerns offences:

  • which cause the greatest number of accidents and deaths on the roads (speeding *)
  • for which the sanction concerned is or includes a financial penalty.

System for exchange of information

When an offence has been committed in a Member State with a vehicle registered in another Member State and the offender cannot be sanctioned by the authorities in charge of pursuing offences in the State of offence, the competent authority in that State shall send the vehicle registration number and information concerning the date and place of the offence to the competent authority in the State where the offender resides.

The competent authority in the State of residence *.

Offence notification

Upon receipt of this information, the competent authority in the State of offence sends an offence notification to the holder of the vehicle registration certificate. This notification contains the details of the offence and the amount of the financial penalty which is due, as well as the possibilities for contestation and appeal. The offence notification is written in the official language or languages of the State of residence.

Central authorities

Each Member State shall designate a central authority to assist with the application of this Directive. Any person whose personal data are transmitted using this system may request to access data, obtain the correction of any inaccurate personal data or the deletion of any data recorded unlawfully from the central authority of the State of residence.

Context

Launched in 2003, the European Road Safety Action Programme aims to halve the number of people killed on roads by 2010. In 2001, 54 000 people died on the roads of the 27 Member States. Between 2001 and 2007, the number of deaths decreased by 20%. While the number of road deaths fell by 6% in 2004 and 5% in 2006, it did not decrease in 2007, during which year 43 000 deaths occurred. The present proposal for a directive aims to encourage drivers to adopt better habits through a stricter observance of existing legislation.

Key terms of the act

  • State of offence: the Member State where the offence has been committed.
  • State of residence: Member State where the vehicle with which the offence has been committed is registered.
  • Speeding: exceeding speed limits in force in the State of offence for the road or type of vehicle concerned.
  • Drink-driving: driving with a blood alcohol level higher than the maximum level in force in the State of offence.
  • Non-use of a seat belt: failure to comply with the requirement to wear a seat belt or use a child restraint in accordance with Council Directive 91/671/ECC and with the national law in the State of offence.
  • Failure to stop at a red traffic light: the offence of driving through a red traffic light as it is defined in the law of the State of offence.

References

Proposition Official Journal Procedure
COM(2008) 151 – COD/2008/0062

Maritime safety: European Maritime Safety Agency

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Maritime safety: European Maritime Safety Agency

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Maritime safety: European Maritime Safety Agency

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These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Transport > Bodies and objectives

Maritime safety: European Maritime Safety Agency

Document or Iniciative

Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2002 establishing a European Maritime Safety Agency [See amending acts].

Summary

This regulation establishes a European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) which provides European Union (EU) countries and the Commission with technical and scientific assistance to ensure the proper application of EU legislation in the field of maritime safety, monitor its implementation and evaluate its effectiveness.

The EMSA is responsible for:

  • assisting the Commission in updating, developing and effectively implementing EU legislation in the field of maritime safety and maritime security, the prevention of pollution and response to pollution caused by ships;
  • working with the EU countries to organise, where appropriate, relevant training activities and provide them with technical assistance in implementing EU legislation;
  • providing the Commission and the EU countries with objective, reliable and comparable information and data on maritime safety through the collection, recording and evaluation of technical data in the fields of maritime safety, maritime traffic and marine pollution by means of the systematic exploitation of existing databases and, where appropriate, the development of additional databases;
  • assisting the Commission in the publication, every six months, of information relating to ships that have been refused access to EU ports, and assisting the EU countries in their activities to improve the identification and pursuit of ships making unlawful discharges;
  • undertaking tasks relating to the surveillance of navigation and maritime traffic pursuant to Directive 2002/59/EC in order to facilitate cooperation between the EU countries and the Commission in this field;
  • developing a common methodology for investigating maritime accidents in cooperation with the Commission and the EU countries;
  • providing countries applying for EU accession with technical support in implementing EU legislation in the field of maritime safety, including the organisation of appropriate training activities.

The EMSA is an EU body and has legal personality. At the request of the Commission, and with the agreement of the EU countries concerned, the EMSA may decide to establish the regional centres needed to carry out tasks relating to the monitoring of navigation and maritime traffic and, in particular, to ensure optimum traffic conditions in sensitive areas. The EMSA is represented by its Executive Director.

The EMSA’s staff consists of EU officials and EU countries’ civil servants temporarily assigned or seconded to the EMSA, and other servants recruited by the EMSA.

The EMSA’s Administrative Board is made up of one representative from each EU country, four representatives from the Commission and four professionals from the sectors most concerned. The latter are appointed by the Commission and do not have the right to vote. The term of office is five years and is renewable once.

The Executive Director of the EMSA is completely independent in the performance of his/her duties, without prejudice to the respective competencies of the Commission and the Administrative Board. He/she acts as EMSA manager and, to this end, is responsible for preparing and implementing the budget and work programme and for all matters relating to staff. The Executive Director of the EMSA is appointed by the Administrative Board for a term of five years, renewable once.

The EMSA’s budget consists, for the most part, of a contribution from the EU and from any non-EU country which participates in the work, and, secondly, of charges for publications, training and any other service provided by the EMSA. Financial control is ensured by the Financial Controller of the Commission.

Within five years of the date on which the EMSA takes up its responsibilities, the Administrative Board is to commission an independent external evaluation of the implementation of the regulation.

Non-EU countries wishing to participate in the EMSA must adopt and apply EU law in all fields of competence of the EMSA.

References

Act Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal

Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002

25.8.2002

–

OJ L 208, 5.8.2002
Amending act(s) Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal

Regulation (EC) No 1644/2003

1.10.2003

–

OJ L 245, 29.9.2003

Regulation (EC) No 724/2004

19.5.2004

–

OJ L 129, 29.4.2004

Regulation (EC) No 2038/2006

31.12.2006

–

OJ L 394, 30.12.2006

The successive amendments and corrections made to Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 have been incorporated into the basic text. This consolidated versionis for reference purposes only.

Related Acts

Directive 2009/16/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2009 on port State control [Official Journal L 131 of 28.5.2009].

Directive 2005/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on ship-source pollution and on the introduction of penalties, including criminal penalties, for pollution offences [Official Journal L 255 of 30.9.2005].

Directive 2002/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2002 establishing a Community vessel traffic monitoring and information system and repealing Council Directive 93/75/EEC [Official Journal L 208 of 5.8.2002].

Health and safety at work – general rules

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Health and safety at work – general rules

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Health and safety at work – general rules

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Employment and social policy > Health hygiene and safety at work

Health and safety at work – general rules

Document or Iniciative

Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers at work [See amending act(s)].

Summary

This Directive establishes base rules on protecting the health and safety of workers *. The measures provided in the Directive aim to eliminate the risk factors for occupational diseases and accidents.

These measures apply to all sectors of activity, both public and private, with the exception of certain specific activities in the public (e.g. army, police, etc.) and civil protection services.

Employers * are obliged to ensure the health and safety workers in every aspect related to the work, including if they enlist external companies or persons. Member States may limit this responsibility in the case of force majeure *.

The employer shall establish means and measures for protecting workers. These involve activities of prevention, information and training workers, particularly to:

  • avoid risks or manage those risks that cannot be avoided;
  • give appropriate instructions to workers by promoting common protective measures;
  • adapt working conditions, equipment and working methods by taking into account developments in techniques.

The protection means and measures should be adapted in cases where the working conditions change. In addition, the employer should take into account the nature of the activities of the company and the capabilities of the workers.

If workers from several companies work in the same work place, the different employers shall cooperate and coordinate their protective measures and risk prevention measures.

In addition, activities of first aid, fire-fighting and the evacuation of workers in serious and immediate danger must be adapted to the nature of the activities and to the size of the company. The employer must inform and train those workers who could be exposed to serious and immediate danger.

The employer shall establish protective and preventative services in their company or establishment, including with regard to activities of first aid and reacting to serious danger. The employer shall therefore appoint one or several trained workers to ensure that the measures are followed or to call the external services.

Monitoring the health of workers is ensured by the measures fixed in accordance with national legislation and practice. Each worker may request a health check at regular intervals.

Groups of people at risk or particularly sensitive people should be protected against dangers which could affect them specifically.

Consulting workers

Employers shall consult workers and their representatives concerning all the issues related to health and safety at work.

Workers’ representatives can suggest that the employer takes particular measures. They can enlist the national competent authorities if the employer fails to fulfil their duty.

Workers’ obligations

Each worker must take care of their own health and security and that of persons affected by their acts or by their omissions at work. In accordance with the training given and the instructions of their employers, in particular workers must:

  • use equipment, tools and substances connected to their activity of work correctly;
  • use personal protective equipment correctly;
  • refrain from disconnecting, changing or removing arbitrarily safety devices fitted;
  • immediately inform the employer of any work situation which represents a serious and immediate danger.

Context

This Framework Directive is supplemented by the sectoral Directives (listed in the Annex), in particular concerning the use of personal protective equipment and manual handling work.

Key terms
  • Worker: any person employed, including trainees and apprentices, but excluding domestic workers;
  • Employer: any natural or legal person who has an employment relationship with a worker and has responsibility for the undertaking and/or establishment;
  • Force majeure: situation where the events due to extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances outside of the control of the employer, have consequences which could not have been avoided despite all the measures being taken.

References

Act Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal

Directive 89/391/EEC

19.6.89

31.12.92

OJ 183, 29.6.89
Amending act(s) Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal

Regulation (EC) No 1882/2003

20.11.2003

–

OJ L 284, 31.10.2003

Directive 2007/30/EC

28.6.2007

31.12.2012

OJ L 165, 27.6.2007

Regulation (EC) No 1137/2008

22.10.2008

11.12.2008

OJ L 311, 21.11.2008

The successive amendments and corrections to Directive 89/391/EEC have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version  is of documentary value only.

Health and safety of workers: conditions applicable to the workplace

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Health and safety of workers: conditions applicable to the workplace

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Health and safety of workers: conditions applicable to the workplace

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Employment and social policy > Health hygiene and safety at work

Health and safety of workers: conditions applicable to the workplace

Document or Iniciative

Council Directive 89/654/EEC of 30 November 1989 concerning the minimum safety and health requirements for the workplace (first individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) [See amending act(s)].

Summary

This Directive aims at protecting the health and safety of workers at their workplace * . It supplements the general provisions of Directive 89/391/EEC on matters of health and safety at work.

However, the Directive does not apply to:

  • means of transport used outside the undertaking or workplaces situated inside means of transport;
  • temporary or mobile work sites;
  • extractive industries;
  • fishing boats;
  • fields, woods and other land situated away from the buildings of an agricultural or forestry undertaking.

Employers’ obligations

The minimum health safety and conditions applicable are provided in Annex I to the Directive for cases where the workplaces were used for the first time after 31 December 1992 or when these locations were converted after this date.

If the workplaces were used before 1 January 1993, they must meet the requirements provided for in Annex II to the Directive.

In addition, the employer must ensure:

  • emergency exits are kept clear and can be used at all times;
  • good technical maintenance of the workplace, equipment and devices, and the quick rectification of defective elements which may present a risk;
  • adequate hygiene conditions;
  • regular maintenance and checks of safety equipment to prevent and eliminate hazards.

Information and consultation of workers

Workers and/or their representatives are informed of all measures to be taken in order to protect their health and safety.

They are consulted on all issues and measures connected with this area, in accordance with the provisions of Directive 89/391/EEC.

Key terms
  • Workplace: means the workstations housed on the premises of the undertaking and/or establishment, and any other place within the area of the undertaking to which the worker has access in the course of his/her employment.

References

Act Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal

Directive 89/654/EEC

15.12.89

31.12.1992 (31.12.94 for Greece)

OJ L 393 of 30.12.89
Amending Act(s) Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal

Directive 2007/30/EC

28.6.2007

31.12.2012

OJ L 165 of 27.6.2007

Work with display screen equipment

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Work with display screen equipment

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Work with display screen equipment

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Employment and social policy > Health hygiene and safety at work

Work with display screen equipment

Document or Iniciative

Council Directive 90/270/EEC of 29 May 1990 on the minimum safety and health requirements for work with display screen equipment (fifth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) [Official Journal L 156 of 21.6.1990] [See amending act(s)].

Summary

European legislation protects the safety and health of workers using display screen equipment *.

This Directive contains individual provisions intended to supplement the general provisions of Directive 89/391/EEC concerning health and safety at work.

However, this Directive does not apply to:

  • workstations * and computer systems on board a means of transport;
  • computer systems mainly intended for public use;
  • portable systems, except in prolonged use at a workstation;
  • equipment having a small display (calculators, cash registers, etc.);
  • traditional typewriters.

Employers’ obligations

In order to ensure the safety and health of workers, employers are obliged to:

  • perform an evaluation of workstations, and bring them into line with the requirements of the Directive (Annex),
  • inform, consult and train workers with regard to all measures connected with their health and safety.

In addition, the daily activities of workers using display screen equipment must be interrupted by breaks or changes of activity.

In addition, workers must undergo an eye and eyesight test before commencing their display screen work, and then at regular intervals during their activities and if visual difficulties develop. If necessary, workers must be provided with special corrective appliances, without charge.

Key terms
  • Display screen equipment: an alphanumeric or graphic display screen, regardless of the display process employed.
  • Workstation: refers to the work surface, display screen equipment, additional equipment and accessories (keyboard, telephone, printer, etc.).

References

Act Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal

Directive 90/270/EEC

11.6.1990

31.12.1992

OJ L 156 of 21.6.1990
Amending act(s) Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal

Directive 2007/30/EC

28.6.2007

31.12.2012

OJ L 165 of 27.6.2007

Related Acts

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the practical implementation of the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Directives 89/391/EEC (framework), 89/654/EEC (workplaces), 89/655/EEC (work equipment), 89/656/EEC (personal protective equipment), 90/269/EEC (manual handling of loads) and 90/270/EEC (display screen equipment) [COM(2004) 62 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

Security of supply of natural gas

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Security of supply of natural gas

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Security of supply of natural gas

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Energy > Security of supply external dimension and enlargement

Security of supply of natural gas

Gas consumption in Europe has rapidly increased during the last 10 years. With decreasing domestic production, gas imports have increased even more rapidly, thus creating higher import dependence and the need to address security of gas supply aspects.

Document or Iniciative

Regulation (EU) No 994/2010 concerning measures to safeguard security of gas supply and repealing Council Directive 2004/67/EC (Text with EEA relevance).

Summary

The regulation aims to safeguard the security of gas supply by ensuring both prevention and a coordinated response in the event of a supply disruption and by securing the proper and continuous functioning of the internal gas market.

The regulation establishes a common framework where the security of supply is a shared responsibility of natural gas undertakings, European Union (EU) countries and the Commission. It also provides transparent mechanism, in a spirit of solidarity, for a coordinated response to an emergency at national, regional and EU levels.

Security of supply for protected customers

The regulation sets out a common concept of the customers whose gas supplies have to be protected. All households are protected customers. EU countries may also include as protected customers small and medium-sized enterprises and essential social services (provided that these additional customers do not represent more that 20% of the final use of gas) and/or district heating installations.

Common infrastructure and supply standards

The regulation provides common standards at EU level.

  • Infrastructure standard: EU countries must ensure that by 3 December 2014 at the latest, in the event of a disruption of the single largest infrastructure, they are able to satisfy total gas demand during a day of exceptional high gas demand. The regulation also requires reverse flows to be established in all cross border interconnections between EU countries by 3 December 2013.
  • Supply standard for protected customers: Natural gas undertakings must secure supplies to protected customers under severe conditions: in the event of a seven day temperature peak and for at least 30 days of high demand, as well as in the case of an infrastructure disruption under normal winter conditions.

Risk assessment, preventive action plan and emergency plan

By 3 December 2011, the competent authority shall make a full assessment of the risks affecting the security of gas supply. The risk assessment shall take into account the supply and infrastructure standards, all relevant national and regional circumstances, various scenarios of exceptionally high gas demand and supply disruption and the interaction and correlation of risks with other EU countries.

On the basis of the results of the risk assessment, no later than 3 December 2012, the competent authority shall adopt, make public and notify the Commission of a preventive action plan, containing the measures needed to remove or mitigate the risk identified, and an emergency plan containing the measures to be taken to remove or mitigate the impact of a gas supply disruption.

The risk assessment and the plans shall be updated every 2 years.

The Commission shall assess those plans in consultation with the Gas Coordination Group.

EU and regional emergency

The regulation defines three main crisis levels: early warning level, alert level, and emergency level.

The emergency plan shall build upon these crisis levels.

The Commission plays an important role with regard to the declaration of EU or regional emergency. The Commission may declare an EU or a regional emergency at the request of a competent authority that has declared an emergency. When the request comes from at least two competent authorities, the Commission shall declare an EU or regional emergency.

The Gas Coordination Group

The Gas Coordination Group is established to facilitate the coordination of measures concerning security of gas supply. The Group shall be consulted and shall assist the Commission on security of gas supply issues.

The Group shall be composed of representatives of the EU countries, in particular of their competent authorities, as well as the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators, the European Network of Transmission System Operators (ENTSO) for gas and representative bodies of the industry concerned and those of relevant customers. The Commission shall chair the Group.

Transparency and information exchange:

During an emergency, the natural gas undertakings concerned shall make available certain information to the competent authority on a daily basis.
In the event of an EU or regional emergency, the Commission is entitled to request that the competent authority provides at least information on the measures planned to be undertaken and already implemented to mitigate the emergency.

By 3 December 2011 at the latest EU countries shall inform the Commission of existing inter-governmental agreements concluded with non-EU countries. EU countries must also notify the Commission when any new such agreements are concluded.

Background

The Council Directive 2004/67/EC established for the first time a legal framework at EU level to safeguard security of gas supply. The Russian-Ukrainian gas crisis in January 2009 demonstrated that the provisions of the directive and their uneven implementation by the EU countries was not sufficient to prepare for, and to respond to a supply disruption, and there was a clear risk that measures developed unilaterally by the EU countries could jeopardise the functioning of the internal market.

References

Act Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal
Regulation (EU) 994/2010

2.12.2010

–

OJ L295 of 12.11.2010

Exposure to asbestos

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Exposure to asbestos

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Exposure to asbestos

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Employment and social policy > Health hygiene and safety at work

Exposure to asbestos

Asbestos is a dangerous product which can cause serious diseases. The exposure of workers to this product is monitored and harmonised at European level. The different degrees of exposure are adjusted in line with the development of scientific knowledge on the subject.

Document or Iniciative

Council Directive 83/477/EEC of 19 September 1983 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work (second individual Directive within the meaning of Article 8 of Directive 80/1107/EEC) [See amending acts].

Summary

Directive 83/477/EEC and Directive 91/382/EEC

The Directives do not apply to sea or air transport.

“Asbestos” is taken to mean six fibrous silicates (actinolite, asbestos gruenerite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and tremolite). The limit values pertaining to in-air concentrations are:

  • for chrysotile: 0.60 fibres per cm3 calculated or measured for an eight-hour reference period;
  • for all other forms of asbestos: 0.30 fibres per cm3 calculated or measured for an eight-hour reference period.

Any activity likely to entail risk of exposure to dust arising from asbestos or materials containing asbestos must be assessed in such a way as to determine the degree and nature of the workers’ exposure.

These activities are to be notified by the employer to the responsible authority of the Member State. The notification must include at least a description of the types and quantities of asbestos used, the activities and processes involved, and the products manufactured. Workers or their representatives are entitled to see the documents concerned.

The application of asbestos by means of the spraying process and working procedures that involve the use of low-density (less than 1g/cm3) insulating or soundproofing materials are prohibited.

Exposure to asbestos is reduced by limiting its use as far as possible, keeping to a minimum the number of persons exposed, and taking adequate measures to maintain buildings and ensure that materials are properly stored, transported and labelled.

In order to ensure compliance with the limit values, asbestos-in-air concentrations are to be measured regularly.

If these values are exceeded, the reasons must be identified and appropriate measures to remedy the situation must be taken before work is resumed.

The places in which activities giving rise to exposure risks are carried out must be clearly marked and indicated by warning signs. They are to be out of bounds to smokers and workers other than those who, by reason of work or duties, are required to enter such areas. Areas are to be set aside where workers can eat and drink without risking being contaminated by asbestos dust. Workers are to be provided with appropriate working or protective clothing.

Workers and/or their representatives must receive adequate information on health risks; the existence of limit values; the need for monitoring of the atmosphere; hygiene requirements and specific precautions to be taken.

Each worker’s state of health must be assessed, including a specific chest examination, prior to exposure to dust arising from asbestos or materials containing asbestos and subsequently at least once every three years for the duration of the exposure. The employer is required to keep a register indicating the nature and duration of the activity and the exposure to which the worker is subjected; both the worker concerned and doctors must have access to the information in the register.

A plan of work setting out the necessary health and safety measures is to be drawn up before the commencement of any demolition work or work involving removal of asbestos.

Member States must keep a register of cases of asbestosis and mesothelioma.

The employer will not be required to notify the authority, take atmospheric measurements, put up warning signs, carry out health assessment or inform workers if the assessment of the exposure risks shows that the asbestos-in-air concentration is as follows:

  • for chrysotile, lower than 0.20 fibres per cm3 for an eight-hour reference period or lower than a cumulative dose of 12.00 fibres over a three-month period,
  • for all other forms of asbestos, lower than 0.10 fibres per cm3 for an eight-hour reference period or lower than a cumulative dose of 6.00 fibres over a three-month period.

Directive 98/24/EC

Adapts the provisions of the above-mentioned Directives to Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers in the workplace. This Directive now applies to the exposure of workers to chemical agents

Directive 2003/18/EC

  • reduces the limit value for occupational exposure of workers to asbestos. It repeals the two limit values established by Directive 83/477, setting a single maximum limit value for airborne concentration of asbestos of 0.1 fibres per cm3 as an eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA);
  • abolishes the derogations applicable to the sea and air transport sectors;
  • prohibits activities exposing workers to asbestos fibres, with the exception of the treatment and disposal of products resulting from demolition and asbestos removal;
  • updates the practical recommendations on the clinical surveillance of exposed workers in the light of the latest medical expertise, with a view to the early detection of pathologies linked to asbestos.

References

Act Date of entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal
Directive 83/477/EEC

22.9.1983

1.1.1987

1.1.1990 in the case of asbestos-mining activities

OJ L 263 of 24.9.1983
Amending act(s) Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal
Directive 91/382/EEC

4.7.1991

1.1.1993

1.1.1996 in the case of asbestos-mining activities

1.1.1999 for Greece

OJ L 206 of 29.7.1991
Directive 98/24/EC

25.5.1998

5.5.2001

OJ L 131 of 5.5.1998
Directive 2003/18/EC

15.4.2003

14.4.2006

OJ L 97 of 15.4.2003
Directive 2007/30/EC

28.6.2007

31.12.2007

OJ L 165 of 27.6.2007

Related Acts

Directive 2009/148/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work (Text with EEA relevance).

Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2007 amending Council Directive 89/391/EEC, its individual Directives and Council Directives 83/477/EEC, 91/383/EEC, 92/29/EEC and 94/33/EC with a view to simplifying and rationalising the reports on practical implementation (Text with EEA relevance)
Member States must present a report every five years on the application of the Directive. The first report must cover the period from 2007 to 2012.

Directive 2004/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work (Sixth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Council Directive 89/391/EEC) [OJ L 158 of 30.04.2004; corrigendum OJ L 229 of 29.06.2004].
This Directive applies to asbestos. It includes provisions which are more favourable to health and safety in the workplace than those set out in Directive 83/477/EEC.

Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (Text with EEA relevance).

 

Another Normative about Exposure to asbestos

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic

Internal market > Single Market for Goods > Construction

Exposure to asbestos

Asbestos is a dangerous product which can cause serious diseases. The exposure of workers to this product is monitored and harmonised at European level. The different degrees of exposure are adjusted in line with the development of scientific knowledge on the subject.

Document or Iniciative

Council Directive 83/477/EEC of 19 September 1983 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work (second individual Directive within the meaning of Article 8 of Directive 80/1107/EEC) [See amending acts].

Summary

Directive 83/477/EEC and Directive 91/382/EEC

The Directives do not apply to sea or air transport.

“Asbestos” is taken to mean six fibrous silicates (actinolite, asbestos gruenerite, anthophyllite, chrysotile, crocidolite, and tremolite). The limit values pertaining to in-air concentrations are:

  • for chrysotile: 0.60 fibres per cm3 calculated or measured for an eight-hour reference period;
  • for all other forms of asbestos: 0.30 fibres per cm3 calculated or measured for an eight-hour reference period.

Any activity likely to entail risk of exposure to dust arising from asbestos or materials containing asbestos must be assessed in such a way as to determine the degree and nature of the workers’ exposure.

These activities are to be notified by the employer to the responsible authority of the Member State. The notification must include at least a description of the types and quantities of asbestos used, the activities and processes involved, and the products manufactured. Workers or their representatives are entitled to see the documents concerned.

The application of asbestos by means of the spraying process and working procedures that involve the use of low-density (less than 1g/cm3) insulating or soundproofing materials are prohibited.

Exposure to asbestos is reduced by limiting its use as far as possible, keeping to a minimum the number of persons exposed, and taking adequate measures to maintain buildings and ensure that materials are properly stored, transported and labelled.

In order to ensure compliance with the limit values, asbestos-in-air concentrations are to be measured regularly.

If these values are exceeded, the reasons must be identified and appropriate measures to remedy the situation must be taken before work is resumed.

The places in which activities giving rise to exposure risks are carried out must be clearly marked and indicated by warning signs. They are to be out of bounds to smokers and workers other than those who, by reason of work or duties, are required to enter such areas. Areas are to be set aside where workers can eat and drink without risking being contaminated by asbestos dust. Workers are to be provided with appropriate working or protective clothing.

Workers and/or their representatives must receive adequate information on health risks; the existence of limit values; the need for monitoring of the atmosphere; hygiene requirements and specific precautions to be taken.

Each worker’s state of health must be assessed, including a specific chest examination, prior to exposure to dust arising from asbestos or materials containing asbestos and subsequently at least once every three years for the duration of the exposure. The employer is required to keep a register indicating the nature and duration of the activity and the exposure to which the worker is subjected; both the worker concerned and doctors must have access to the information in the register.

A plan of work setting out the necessary health and safety measures is to be drawn up before the commencement of any demolition work or work involving removal of asbestos.

Member States must keep a register of cases of asbestosis and mesothelioma.

The employer will not be required to notify the authority, take atmospheric measurements, put up warning signs, carry out health assessment or inform workers if the assessment of the exposure risks shows that the asbestos-in-air concentration is as follows:

  • for chrysotile, lower than 0.20 fibres per cm3 for an eight-hour reference period or lower than a cumulative dose of 12.00 fibres over a three-month period,
  • for all other forms of asbestos, lower than 0.10 fibres per cm3 for an eight-hour reference period or lower than a cumulative dose of 6.00 fibres over a three-month period.

Directive 98/24/EC

Adapts the provisions of the above-mentioned Directives to Council Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in the safety and health of workers in the workplace. This Directive now applies to the exposure of workers to chemical agents

Directive 2003/18/EC

  • reduces the limit value for occupational exposure of workers to asbestos. It repeals the two limit values established by Directive 83/477, setting a single maximum limit value for airborne concentration of asbestos of 0.1 fibres per cm3 as an eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA);
  • abolishes the derogations applicable to the sea and air transport sectors;
  • prohibits activities exposing workers to asbestos fibres, with the exception of the treatment and disposal of products resulting from demolition and asbestos removal;
  • updates the practical recommendations on the clinical surveillance of exposed workers in the light of the latest medical expertise, with a view to the early detection of pathologies linked to asbestos.

References

Act Date of entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal
Directive 83/477/EEC

22.9.1983

1.1.1987

1.1.1990 in the case of asbestos-mining activities

OJ L 263 of 24.9.1983

Amending act(s) 		Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal
Directive 91/382/EEC

4.7.1991

1.1.1993

1.1.1996 in the case of asbestos-mining activities

1.1.1999 for Greece

OJ L 206 of 29.7.1991
Directive 98/24/EC

25.5.1998

5.5.2001

OJ L 131 of 5.5.1998
Directive 2003/18/EC

15.4.2003

14.4.2006

OJ L 97 of 15.4.2003
Directive 2007/30/EC

28.6.2007

31.12.2007

OJ L 165 of 27.6.2007

Related Acts

Directive 2009/148/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work (Text with EEA relevance).

Directive

2007/30/EC

of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2007 amending Council Directive 89/391/EEC, its individual Directives and Council Directives 83/477/EEC, 91/383/EEC, 92/29/EEC and 94/33/EC with a view to simplifying and rationalising the reports on practical implementation (Text with EEA relevance)
Member States must present a report every five years on the application of the Directive. The first report must cover the period from 2007 to 2012.

Directive 2004/37/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work (Sixth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Council Directive 89/391/EEC) [OJ L 158 of 30.04.2004; corrigendum OJ L 229 of 29.06.2004].
This Directive applies to asbestos. It includes provisions which are more favourable to health and safety in the workplace than those set out in Directive 83/477/EEC.


Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2008 on classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures, amending and repealing Directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC and amending Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (Text with EEA relevance).