European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

F.O.I. Administration manager John B. Scicluna was the Malta employers' representative at the recent meeting of the Administrative Board of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, held in Bilboa, Spain.

Also participating from Malta was Occupational Health and Safety Authority chief executive Dr Mark Gauci.

An important part of the discussions focused on the Draft Work Programme 2006. The programme is divided into:

1) 'Building the links - promoting global network partnership' in which the agency will focus on optimising its and the network's resources and co-operation through better efficiency and effectiveness; as well as extending the network partnership both within the EU through institutional relations and European Partnerships and also beyond the EU.

2) 'Communicating knowledge - your link to safety and health at work', focusing on the development and implementation of its Communication Plan; providing OSH information on the Internet; improving Web facilities; complementary communication services; and the European Week 2006 that will be on Protecting Young Workers.

3) 'Developing knowledge to support policy making and implementation' that aims to introduce new prevention strategies and policies; promote a preventive safety and health culture; safety and health information for priority groups; safety and health information for risk sectors; and anticipating change through the Risk Observatory.