EU and US co-operate to improve worker safety
The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work and the US Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have joined forces to create a unique Internet-based information resource. Launched on 28 July 2000, the new EU-US web site provides access to American and European information on a wide range of occupational safety and health issues. 'Common features shared by a network of web sites enable visitors to cross Europe and now also the Atlantic at the click of a mouse,' say representatives from the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. The sites provide key occupational health and safety (OSH) information such as 'good practice', 'research', 'statistics' and 'legislation/regulations' and focus especially on information related to construction safety and ergonomics. Odile Quintin, Director General of the European Commission's DG for Employment and social affairs, said: 'This is an important initiative and a very positive result of a joint EU-US commitment to improve cooperation and the exchange of knowledge and experience between our OSH systems with the aim of further improving the working environment of European and American workers.' Mr Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, Director of the European Agency, claimed the launch of this common web site adds a significant transatlantic dimension to the agency's network. Charles Jefress, Assistant Secretary of OSHA, commented: 'Both OSHA and its EU counterpart have assembled a wealth of information on successful strategies to prevent occupational injuries and illnesses. We're pleased to have a vehicle for sharing information with each other and with the workers and employers we serve.'