6.3 SOCIAL WELFARE 138 A report made in 2024 concluded that EU legislation has contributed to instilling a culture of prevention throughout Europe as well as rationalising and simplifying national legislative systems Do you think a school is a workplace? If so, what are the consequences according to the law? A legislative decree is the equivalent of a law made by the Government, to whom it is delegated by Parliament under certain circumstances APP: Addetto al Servizio Prevenzione e Protezione to appeal: rivolgersi, appellarsi compliance: conformit DVR: documento di valutazione rischi milestone: pietra miliare qualified doctor: medico competente RLS: Rappresentante dei Lavoratori per la Sicurezza RSPP: Responsabile Servizio Prevenzione e Protezione SPP: Servizio di Prevenzione e Protezione HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK The European Framework Directive 89/391 EEC was a substantial milestone in improving safety and health at work throughout Europe by fixing minimum standards. Member States had to legislate in compliance with it, but were allowed to maintain or establish stricter measures. The directive obliged employers to take appropriate preventive measures and introduced the principle of risk assessment. Health and safety in Italy In Italy, following the EU directive, Law 626/94 was made, stating a general obligation of the employer towards the workforce. The employer has to create the Prevention and Protection Service (SPP), an internal body of employees or an external service (APPs) under the coordination of an RSPP. This body collaborates with all the employees to improve the level of health and safety through prevention and control, including the collection of information on the risk factors in a document called DVR. Employers are assisted in this task by: a prevention and protection service manager; a representative for workers safety (RLS), elected by the company s employees, who guarantees their rights; HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ACT 1974 Health Regulation 282 SOCIETy HELpS Compliance Personal Protective Equipment Hazard Analysis & Control Training & Education a qualified doctor (only in the case of management of toxic or polluting substances or the use of video terminals). Later amendments The Legislative Decree 81/2008 introduced sanctions and redefined the role of the workers representative, who: must receive adequate training; has access to all areas of the workplace and any documentation relating to the safety of workers, and from the safety services; is consulted before taking any decision concerning safety and prevention; can formulate observations during inspections; is invited to take part in periodical company meetings on safety; can appeal to authorities when they believe that prevention measures are inadequate. The Legislative Decree 106/2009, followed by an agreement GovernmentRegions in 2011, further regulated training on safety both for employers and employees. Health and safety in the UK A decade before the EU Directive, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 was the primary piece of legislation on the matter in the UK. It set out the general duties for employers and employees, and the responsibility towards the public and to each other. Further improvements were made in 1999 and 2008.