'How can SMEs be best supported in the implementation of risk assessment?'

Wednesday 21 October, time: 10.00-10.45, location: Conference hall

See PowerPoint presentation

Since the adoption of the European framework directive in 1989, risk assessment has become a familiar concept for organising prevention in the workplace, and hundreds of thousands of companies all over Europe assess their risks regularly. Nevertheless, the implementation and the quality of risk assessment need to be improved. There is sufficiently evidence to conclude that SMEs have some shortcomings when it comes to risk assessment and the adoption of a preventive policy in general*.

Several OSH studies and initiatives confirm that it is difficult to reach SMEs, especially the smallest ones, and even more difficult to get them to act. However, it is not impossible to support them in the task of assessing the risks. The evidence gathered shows that for a scheme to be successful, it should:

· Support risk assessment activities:
    · The managers of these firms are not necessarily acquainted with the legislation and the 
      obligations it entails (to assess the risks)

    · Very often they do not have the time nor the means, especially human resources, to 
      perform the RA

· Targeting employment sectors (focus on a particular sector or risk):
    · The risks inherent to a sector can be clearly identified, the enterprises targeted are easier 
      to reach via the trade federations in particular, 
    · and people in the same sector “speak the same language”. So, action can be better 
      targeted, more precise and more sector relevant.

· Be appropriate: neither too complicated nor too expensive (offer support for free or at a 
  minimal cost).
 

· Involving trade unions and trade associations (in order to reach SMEs):
    · It is often in this way that information reaches the SMEs. 
    · Their involvement can add credibility to the project in the eyes of the end user.

· Be disseminated through personal contact.

· Combine active interventions with practical documentation and tools.

*) As far as implementation is concerned, see Healthy Workplaces. A EU campaign on risk assessment. Campaign summary pp. 10-11 (http://osha.europa.eu/en/campaigns/hw2008/campaign/campaignsummary) as far as quality is concerned, see document COM (2004) 62 final: COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF REGIONS on the practical implementation of the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Directives 89/391 (Framework),… pp.15-17. (http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:52004DC0062:EN:NOT)