Σεπ282021

Asbestos at work – FIEC asks for status quo

In its reply to the European Commission’s 2nd stage consultation of social partners on chemical agents and asbestos at work, FIEC insisted that the occupational exposure limit (OEL) to asbestos must remain achievable (i.e. unchanged).While workers’ health and safety is top priority for the construction industry, FIEC believes that setting unrealistic OELs would be counter-productive, especially in the context of the “Renovation Wave” initiative.

In this regard, the new OEL currently proposed by MEP Villumsen in his draft own-initiative report (2019/2182 INL)  appears to be much too low to be properly implemented at national level (i.e. 0.001 fibres/cm3 against 0.1 fibres/cm³ currently).

Instead, FIEC believes that collaboration between social partners and the European Commission is necessary to achieve a European Union without asbestos, with the promotion of guidance, best practice, workers’ training, and awareness raising campaigns.

Also, compulsory screening measures for buildings before sale or rent, and asbestos certificates for buildings constructed before a certain date can be effective ways to reduce workers exposure to asbestos.

 

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Fighting muskulo-skeletal disorders in construction

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work’s campaign on muskulo-skeletal disorders at work continues at full speed. As official partner of the campaign, FIEC is raising awareness about this important issue in the construction industry.A series of short movies can be found on the campaign website, and used by construction companies to address this matter with their workers.

 

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Key messages on foreign subsidies proposal

The European Commission’s proposal for a Regulation on distortive foreign subsidies is a promising initiative towards restoring fair competition in the European construction market. Allowing the European Commission to look into subsidies granted by non-EU countries, the proposal represents a regulatory revolution. If effective, cases where foreign bidders can win public projects due to subsidies will belong to the past. Have a look at our proposal on how to improve the tool and make it work for our sector.

 

   KEY MESSAGES   

Infrastructure maintenance among G20 priorities

The endorsement of a ‘Policy Agenda on Maintenance’ at the July G20 Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ meeting in Venice sends out a strong signal: Investing in infrastructure maintenance is essential for the sustainable development of our economies. Having clear economic, social and environmental benefits, the added value of infrastructure maintenance is undeniable. In the EU, we should finally give maintenance the prominence it deserves. In the framework of the EU Taxonomy, FIEC is working on ‘re-branding’ maintenance and having it recognised as sustainable economic activity.

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