At Work

Working life can at the same time act as a risk and a positive factor for the health of employees and their families.

Poor working conditions, high-strain jobs and a stressful organisational culture can lead to accidents, injuries and ill-health and contribute to lifestyle patterns which are detrimental to health. Good working conditions on the other hand provide an adequate framework to support health, and to develop a sense of purpose and well-being.

The EU aims to:

• cut the number of accidents at work by a quarter between 2007 and 2012
• promote changes in the behaviour of workers and encourage their employers to adopt health-focused approaches
• finalise the methods for identifying and evaluating new potential risks
• establish and disseminate good practice

A dedicated agency, the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (OSHA), aims to support the work in favour of information, guidance and promotion of healthy working environments.