2013-02-01

The results of a research project carried out on occupational safety and health measures was presented on January 30th, in Brussels, under the aegis of the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee (EMPL).

These results were also summarized in a publication edited by the International Social Security Association (ISSA – www.issa.int) of Geneva and the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), an umbrella association of accident insurance institutions. This publication was presented at an event hosted by EPP MEP dr. Dieter-Lebrecht Koch that was also attended by DAHR MEP Csaba Sógor.

The International Social Security Association (ISSA) is a leading international institution bringing together social security agencies and organizations. It conducts researches, offers information and lends expertise to social security bodies and agencies. It aims to promote dynamic social security as the social dimension in a globalizing world by supporting excellence in social security administration.

The MEPs were interested in knowing about the effects of occupational safety and health measures on a microeconomic level, and whether these measures have a positive influence on a company’s activity and economic balance sheets. Studies conducted at the beginning of 2010 (in 16 countries, including Romania) on three hundred companies show that the effects of these measures on a microeconomic level can only be assessed in an indirect way, but on average a 2.2% profit reinvestment generates a 20% increase in benefits.

Csaba Sógor was eager to learn about Romania’s results. Romania’s performance is in the global average, even though, paradoxically, the benefits of such measures can be better identified and quantified in states with weaker social protection.

Occupational safety and health investments have the biggest impact in the fields of production, transport and warehousing: fewer accidents happen, employees consciously seek to eliminate hazards thus fewer breaches of safety and health regulations occur, workplace culture and company image are improved and even the working time is reduced.  Although occupational safety and health measures represent a profitable investment, small and medium sized enterprises tend to underestimate their benefits.

The researchers pointed out that the primary beneficiaries of these type investments are the employees, because deterioration of life quality cannot be compensated for. Prevention, however, ensures the sustainability of rehabilitation and compensation systems.

The project management team, on behalf of the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV), elaborated questionnaires and interview guidelines suitable for gathering empirical data in the field of mining, constructions and electrical engineering. The results of this study were presented in 2011 at the International Congress of Occupational Safety and Health in Turkey. 

MEP Csaba Sógor closed the EMPL Committee’s work session in Brussels by thanking the group of researchers for their work, which proves that the return of prevention investment is an issue that should get more attention on a national and international level.  “You made it clear: companies benefit from the economic effects of preventive measures, employers should be urged to invest as much as possible in occupational safety and health. It is up to us, European decision-makers to encourage this direction on an EU institutional level”, concluded Csaba Sógor.