EEC LEGISLATION IN SAFETY AND HEALTH AT WORK FIRST WARNER LECTURE

Abstract

By the end of 1992 when the Internal Market is completed, significant progress will have been made in ensuring that the social dimension, in particular the minimum requirements for safety and health at work, is established throughout the European Community. Experience has already shown that all the countries, including those which have high levels of safety and health legislation, will be required to upgrade and improve their laws to comply with the new European Community Directives. Furthermore, the recent agreement between the European Community and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries to set up a free trade area means that this safety and health legislation is applicable in all 19 countries. The increasing importance of safety and health at work is to be further enhanced in 1992 by the ‘European Year of Safety, Hygiene and Health at Work’. This year will begin on 1 March 1992 and end on 29 February 1993, during which time a vast programme of action is to be implemented with the support of all those involved. It has been agreed that the EFTA countries will join those of the European Community in promoting this year.