Comprehensive approach to occupational safety and health (CP VZD)

Link to website: European funds, Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Clinical Institute of Occupational, Traffic and Sports Medicine (KIMDPŠ)

Project description

Background

Work has a significant impact on the health and well-being of individuals, but it is also a significant risk factor. The changing nature of work, technological developments, demographic changes and increasing psychosocial risks require a comprehensive, coordinated and data-driven approach to occupational safety and health (OSH).

In Slovenia, we are faced with a high burden of sick leave, frequent musculoskeletal disorders and mental health problems, and fragmented data sources, which makes it difficult to plan effective measures.

The CP VZD project responds to these challenges with research, training and awareness-raising. The aim is to strengthen a culture of prevention and create working conditions that promote health, safety and work ability throughout the entire life cycle.

Purpose of the project

The project aims to establish a comprehensive approach to occupational safety and health and to strengthen a culture of prevention in Slovenia. The project strengthens the knowledge, competences and awareness of workers, employers and social partners about the importance of safe and healthy work.

The focus is on workers, especially those in exposed jobs, young people, older workers, workers with disabilities and workers with chronic conditions. Particular attention should be paid to young people entering the labour market and older workers, who are at greater risk of work-related illnesses.

Employers are also an important target group, as they play a key role in ensuring a safe and healthy working environment and in retaining the workforce. Awareness-raising and capacity-building activities will also be carried out for OSH professionals (occupational safety specialists, occupational physicians, occupational health nurses and occupational psychologists). The project will address the wider public through a national communication campaign.

Sustainable awareness requires systematic and continuous activities and a more coordinated institutional framework for OSH. High-quality and systematically collected data play a key role in this, as they enable risk monitoring and action planning.

Occupational safety and health is an interdisciplinary field; therefore, the project is based on a cooperative and consensus-based approach, supported by analyses and proposals for improvement.

Project objectives

The main objective of the project is to establish a comprehensive approach to occupational safety and health and to strengthen a culture of prevention in the working environment and beyond.

The specific objectives of the project are:

• to obtain survey data on the state of OSH in Slovenia through a national survey;
• to analyse the situation and challenges in the field of OSH and establish conditions for the development of an OSH culture;
• to strengthen the competence and awareness of workers about the importance of a safe and healthy working environment;
• to strengthen the capacity of risk assessment experts;
• to strengthen the capacity and raise awareness of social partners regarding OSH;
• to analyse existing databases and draft a proposal for a new database on exposure to risk factors at work and work ability.

Phases of the project (Work Packages)                          

The project will be implemented within the framework of 10 work packages, which represent a comprehensive set of interrelated activities to achieve the strategic objectives of the project (WP1–WP10).

WP 1: Project management and coordination

Ensures smooth project implementation, effective organisation, management and coordination of all activities, and coordination between project partners and other key stakeholders.

WP 2: Evaluation

Enables ongoing and comprehensive monitoring of project implementation, achievement of set objectives and evaluation of the impacts of individual activities and the entire project, including stakeholder satisfaction.

WP 3: Communication and dissemination

Enables strategic, coordinated and continuous communication of content in the field of occupational safety and health. It includes promotion of the project, information and raising awareness among target groups, and the implementation of a national communication campaign to promote a culture of prevention.

WP 4: National survey on OSH in Slovenia

WP4 is the central research pillar of the project. By conducting a national survey, the project will provide representative data on the state of occupational safety and health in Slovenia, including exposure to risk factors, working conditions, and employees’ perceptions and attitudes towards safe and healthy work. The results of the survey will be a key basis for further project activities, the formulation of recommendations and support for policy development in the field of OSH.

WP 5: Analysis of the situation and challenges in the field of OSH and establishment of conditions for the development of an OSH culture

It addresses systemic, organisational and social challenges in the field of occupational safety and health and develops expert bases and recommendations for the development of a culture of prevention and improvement of systemic regulation.

WP 6: Selection of 300 organisations to carry out activities planned to achieve the programme indicator of the operation

WP6 enables direct cooperation with working organisations from various sectors. The selected organisations will conduct analyses of existing practices, risk perceptions and needs, and pilot project activities. Cooperation with organisations enables the testing of project approaches in real working environments and the transfer of knowledge and good practices into the daily operations of working environments.

WP 7: Training and raising awareness of workers about OSH

WP7 focuses on strengthening workers’ knowledge, awareness and competences for safe and healthy work. Through training and awareness-raising activities, it encourages employees to play an active role in identifying risks, implementing preventive measures and contributing to a safe and healthy working environment.

WP 8: Training of risk assessment experts

WP8 focuses on developing and upgrading the competences of experts involved in risk assessment. It includes the preparation, testing and evaluation of training programmes, aimed at improving the quality of risk assessments and strengthening the preventive approach in working environments.

WP 9: Training and awareness-raising for social partners on OSH

WP9 strengthens the role of social partners in developing a culture of safety and health at work. It aims to improve their skills, understanding of risks and participation in the design and implementation of effective preventive measures at organisational and system level.

WP 10: Analysis of existing databases and proposal for a new database on exposure to risk factors at work and work ability.

WP10 addresses the shortcomings of existing data sources in the field of occupational safety and health. Based on the analyses and results of the project, a proposal for a new database on exposure to risks and work ability will be prepared, which will enable better monitoring of the situation, support decision-making and the development of evidence-based measures in the long term.

 Added value

• A comprehensive approach to occupational safety and health

The CP VZD project lays the foundations for a comprehensive approach to OSH that goes beyond mere compliance with legal requirements and includes the integration of health, work, organisational and social aspects.

• Development of tools for risk assessment and work ability

Through a systematic approach, the project will enable the development of better tools for risk identification and work ability assessment, which will contribute to more targeted prevention and measures at the level of work organisations.

• Strengthening the capacity and empowerment of stakeholders

By preparing professional materials and conducting training, the project will increase the capacity of employers, experts and social partners to actively and effectively manage OSH.

• Raising awareness and involving workers

By developing communication approaches and content tailored to different target groups, the project will contribute to a higher level of awareness of the importance of a healthy working environment and encourage workers to take an active role in caring for their own health.

• Basis for long-term systemic changes

Through data analysis, policy development and the establishment of data sources, the project will contribute to the sustainable development of the OSH field and serve as a professional basis for further strategic decisions.

Expected results and materials

The project will contribute to the development of professional foundations for the implementation of preventive measures and to long-term improvement of occupational safety and health management in Slovenia. Key results will include analyses, research and training programmes tailored to different target groups. It will also formulate concrete proposals for the improvement of existing policies, make recommendations to employers and provide starting points for systemic development of databases on occupational risks and work ability. Thus, the project will establish a strategic, comprehensive and inclusive approach to OSH.

Duration of the project: 1 November 2024 to 30 September 2029.

Beneficiary: National Institute of Public Health.

Project partner: University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Clinical Institute of Occupational, Traffic and Sports Medicine (KIMDPŠ).

Funding: The total project budget amounts to EUR 7,000,000.00. The project is co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund Plus (85%) and by the Republic of Slovenia (15%).

The project “Comprehensive Approach to Safety and Health at Work”, abbreviated as “CP VZD”, is co-financed by the European Cohesion Policy Programme for the period 2021–2027 in Slovenia, under Policy Objective 4 “A more social and inclusive Europe for the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights”, priority 6 “Skills and a responsive labour market”, specific objective  ESO 4.4: Promoting the adaptation of workers, enterprises and entrepreneurs to change, active and healthy ageing, and a healthy and well-adapted working environment that addresses health risks (ESS+).

The project is co-financed by the European Union from the European Social Fund Plus and the Republic of Slovenia, Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities.