European funding scheme boosts SME training

摘要

HEALTH AND SAFETY has been improved in 700,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) thanks to a European funding scheme. The second SME Funding Scheme (2002-2003), run by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, helped over 50 projects to improve health and safety. Many SMEs do not have the knowledge or the resources to manage their own health and safety problems. They therefore need help with practical training and in gaining a better understanding of the issues so that health and safety becomes a higher priority. The Agency has now published its report on 51 completed projects - 40 national and 11 transnational (involving cross-border co-operation between partners). The overall aim was to reduce the number of accidents at work and to reduce the incidence of occupational ill health. Topics covered included chemical hazards, stress-related illness, accident prevention in high-risk sectors such as agriculture and construction, and the promotion of a preventive culture.