Meeting in Bilbao on 25 and 26 November 2003, the Administrative Board of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has elected Ms Christa Schweng as its new chairperson and approved the Agency’s work programme for 2004.
Ms Christa Schweng is the Austrian employers’ representative on the Bureau of the Agency’s Board. She takes over from Dr Bertil Remaeus, the Swedish government representative. It is Ms Schweng’s second term of office having previously held the position in 2001.
Construction, agriculture, noise, and economic incentives are amongst the priorities for 2004. The Agency’s work programme for 2004 will focus on further developing the Agency’s information services in line with the priorities set out in the Community Strategy for Health and Safety at Work. Major initiatives will include:
- A Europe-wide information campaign targeting Europe’s construction sector.
- The collection and dissemination of good safety and health practice in the agriculture sector.
- A study of the effectiveness of economic incentives, such as tax breaks, as tools to encourage improvements in safety and health.
- Preparation for an information campaign in 2005 on the dangers of excessive noise at work.
Commenting on the outcome of the Board meeting, the Director of the European Agency, Mr Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, said: "I am very happy to welcome back Christa Schweng as Chairperson of the Agency and look forward to working closely with her in promoting the Agency’s health and safety activities in 2004. Enlargement is clearly a dominant theme for us, as 10 more countries will join our EU network. For many of the new Member States construction and agriculture are key employment sectors and at the same time sectors with high levels of safety and health risks. I am therefore pleased that the Agency’s Board has agreed to give these two areas special priority in our work programme for 2004."
