One to watch...Reducing accidents at work

The European Parliament has adopted a five-year strategy to reduce accidents at work by 25%. It is estimated that one worker dies in a work-related accident in the EU every three-and-a-half minutes.

To raise awareness of the issue the strategy provides incentives for companies actively committed to improving health and safety at work. They include a reduction in social contributions or insurance premiums, or economic aid for the introduction of a health and safety management scheme.

The success of the initiative will rely largely on how committed each member state is to adopting national strategies in line with the spirit of the 2007-2012 strategy.