Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), employing about two thirds of the entire working population of Europe, pose the biggest work safety challenge for the European Union (EU), according to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work.

The risk of fatal accidents in enterprises with less than 50 employees is around double that for larger companies. Yet these businesses account for 99 per cent of all enterprises in the EU.

Encouraging enhanced work safety standards in SMEs is a task demanding a combined effort by the EU and its Member States. Occupational risk is rarely a front-line preoccupation for small companies with limited financial resources and lack of safety and health knowledge. So, initiatives need to be focused and practical as well as participatory and cost-effective.

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work has completed a survey of national, regional and sectoral initiatives aimed at increasing SME awareness. This examines 18 successful occupational safety and health assistance services to SMEs, ranging from industry-wide projects to highly focused initiatives, in 14 Member States.

The newly published report, Improving occupational safety and health in SMEs: examples of effective assistance, is available on the Agency Web site at: agency.osha.eu.int/publications/reports/311/en/index.htm.

Along these lines, the Agency has launched an on-line guide of occupational safety and health advice for Europe’s SMEs. As well as presenting information on the Agency’s own activities such as its SME funding schemes and information projects, the Web feature at sme.osha.eu.int provides access to a wide range of practical information. This covers key risks such as accidents, dangerous substances, and work-related stress, as well as important SME employment sectors such as construction and fisheries.