SLIC European
inspection and communication campaign
Manual Handling of Loads 2007
‘Lighten the Load’
26 February 2008
Mrs. Inge Jonker, MSc
SLIC Manual Handling Campaign 2007-2008
EU labour inspector puts
risks on manual handling of loads in transport and care
on the agenda!
SLIC Manual Handling Campaign 2007-2008
Today I will tell you about…
The background of this joint European inspection and communication campaign
The goals and the campaign materials The first results Some Good Practices our inspectors
encountered What still is to be done in the future
SLIC Manual Handling Campaign 2007-2008
Background SLIC inspection & communication campaign 2004: Questionnaire to all EU labour
inspectorates About rolls and obstacles in ensuring
compliance with the directive Manual Handling of Loads 90/269
Encountered international competitive distortion as a result of inspections in transport
SLIC Manual Handling Campaign 2007-2008
Obstacles in ensuring compliance
Attitude and lack of knowledge in companies
Directive manual handling of loads is not concrete enough
Lack of uniform assessment method for the risks of manual handling
Lack of (knowledge about) solutions on manual handling, in companies and with inspectors
SLIC Manual Handling Campaign 2007-2008
Therefore a EU/ SLIC campaign.Our campaign goals:
Better compliance in the EU with EU Directive 90/269/EEC “Manual Handling of Loads” in order to reduce musculo‑skeletal disorders in labour
Improving the inspection and communication methods of the national labour inspectorates
Greater harmony in the enforcement of the manual handling of loads throughout the EU
Cooperation with OSHA’s MSD campaign 2007 to support each other: Lighten the Load
MHL problems in transport and care
SLIC Manual Handling Campaign 2007-2008
SLIC Inspection & communication campaign on Manual Handling of Loads In 2007 in Transport and Care
A internationally and socially relevant sector With high MSD problems
Aim at airports, harbours, hospitals, elderly homes, mentally/ physically handicapped homes
Tools: assessment guideline, brochures, e-learning, campaign guide
1561 EU labour inspectors were trained on inspecting manual handling of loads situations
General brochure
Care
Transport
SLIC Manual Handling Campaign 2007-2008
First results in Transport
In 23 countries, 881 inspectors inspected: 27% of all harbours in these countries 42% of the airports
In total 2365 companies inspected on: Risk assessment on mhl situations Preventive measures taken to avoid baggage
handling and stevedoring manually Intervention in 1916 companies (like verbal and
written warnings, administrative fines, cessation of work and legal prosecution)
SLIC Manual Handling Campaign 2007-2008
First results in Care
In 21 countries, 2217 inspectors inspected: 22% of all hospitals in these countries 35% of the elderly homes 16% of the homes for mentally/ physically
handicapped persons In total 3042 companies inspected on:
Risk assessment on mhl situations Preventive measures in patient handling Preventive measures in facility services
(catering, laundry) Intervention in 2531 companies
SLIC Manual Handling Campaign 2007-2008
Good practices encountered
SLIC Manual Handling Campaign 2007-2008
But: still a lot of work to be done
Companies risk awareness and - knowledge is not always high enough
Risk assessment is not common yet In the care a lot of building/ construction matters
make use of aids difficult The manual handling risks at facility services in
care are not always recognized; focus at patient handling
Cross border problemacy: countries are confront Ted with the health un-awareness in transport of other countries (also outside EU)
SLIC Manual Handling Campaign 2007-2008
In 2008:
The evaluation report of the 2007 campaign is finished
The campaign is continued in the construction and retail sector
So ongoing attention for this still widespread health and safety risk
SLIC Manual Handling Campaign 2007-2008
And last but not least:SLIC and OSHA
The cooperation between SLIC and OSHA was a success; we supported each other in many ways
Therefore we would like to thank OSHA!
Thanks for your attention!