Promoting OSH in Care

ongoing

The European Care Strategy calls for action to improve working conditions in the social services sector, to retain and attract workers with the right skills and meet the growing demand for care. It also recommends Member States to promote social dialogue, and to ensure the highest standards of occupational health and safety for the care workforce. Workers in social services are frequently exposed to a wide range of risks, of both physical and psychosocial nature. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and psychosocial risks (PSR) are the two major concerns regarding working conditions. The project aims to address these concerns through targeted actions. Social dialogue is key to improve working conditions. Workplaces with active cooperation between workers’ representation and management are more likely to have effective occupational safety and health and psychosocial risk management measures in place. It is essential to further push for the implementation of the European Care Strategy, by working on the prevention of physical and mental health risks, and further building the capacity for social dialogue in social services. The project aims to address this need by: - taking stock of the European Care Strategy implementation with regard to social services workforce aspects, - addressing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and psychosocial risks (PSR) in the sector - and further building capacity for social services employers’ organisations and social dialogue. Project partners will work together to assess the state of play of the different priority areas, develop recommendations on the further implementation of the Care Strategy and guidelines on MSD and PSR prevention. Partners will also build their national-level capacity to effectively engage in social dialogue, by organising national events and taking part in study visits. The project outcomes will feed into discussions between EU social partners for future European initiatives.