The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) has identified key
priority areas for occupational safety and health (OSH) research that will help
Europe reach its 2020 goals. Priorities have been set around four major themes:
(1) demographic change; (2) globalisation and the changing world of work; (3)
safe new technologies; and (4) new or increasing occupational exposure to
chemical and biological agents.



Setting priorities will allow better coordination of research activities and
more efficient allocation of resources in the coming years. This is vital in
helping to translate OSH research into practical and accessible workplace
solutions that will have an impact on the safety and health of workers.

EU-OSHA's response to the challenges currently facing Europe are detailed in a
report entitled 'Priorities for occupational safety and health research in
Europe: 2013-2020'. The report emphasises the fact that OSH research can
contribute to meeting the goals set by the Europe 2020 strategy and the Horizon
2020 programme for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth.

Dr Christa Sedlatschek, Director of EU-OSHA, said: 'At this time of economic
crisis, a Europe-wide OSH strategy is needed more than ever, and issues related
to safety and health at work need to be placed high on the political agenda.
The link between OSH, competitiveness and business performance must be
emphasised. Social stability and sustainability should go hand in hand with
economic growth.'

She added: 'EU-OSHA has a key role to play in ensuring that high-level OSH
research is translated into practical, grass-roots workplace solutions. It is
vital that the Agency coordinates the research and communicates the risks to
both workers and employers.'

Therefore, EU-OSHA intends to follow-up on this report and will organise a
seminar in 2014 to discuss a short-list of OSH research priorities and next
steps to be taken.

More information

AplusA-online.de - Source: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work