Posted By Phillipe When compared to what, our European friends? It is only best when it is taken notice of. If people ignore what we as professionals are trying to do then it is no better than any other country. I would suggest that our "British Authorities" on the whole have a good record of enforcement, certainly in my experience anyway.

Posted By Manny Thanks for the comments so far. The reason that I started the thread was following comments made in recent topics which put the UK on a pedestal. I believe that there are good and bad companies in all parts of the EU and that we should sometimes look on our own doorstep before we start criticising other countries. Manny not UK No UK Post Nominals

Posted By Richie Manny, This was covered on my PgD course, in some depth. It seems that if you were to look at a map of europe, it holds pretty true that the further north you go the better the safety standards and culture. Hence Greece, Italy and Spain pretty much at the bottom of the heap, with Denmark and Norway etc. at the top of the heap. It also holds true, by the way, that higher standards of formal education are encountered the further north you tread, on average. I do realise that direct statistical comparison is hard, however this is the view of the academics, and many, many hours of research from a wide variety of viewpoints have formed this (albeit simplistically stated) conclusion. So, in answer toy your hypothesis that "British (Health and Safety) is best": No, not really. The Scandanavians have it in the bag. Richie.

Posted By Merv Newman Um. It's a bit odd, I agree that the further north you go the better the standards become. However, the further north you go the worse the statistics become. And sorry, but I can't source those stats right now. Well, I know the source (French INRS a couple of years ago) but I no longer have the document. Thinking is that there may be influences from a) the better welfare provisions up north and b) the more macho Latin culture. Merv

Posted By Stupendous Man Jonathan, Catching or eating?

Posted By Merv Newman Right. Like for like is virtually impossible. In France the employer is automatically responsible for anything bad happening to an employee "during and related to work" this can even cover heart attacks. (but not necessarily pregnancy) Even accidents occurring on the journey from home to the office are "assimilated" into accident coverage. Risk assessments are required to be updated annually. It is not a stated requirement that everything different an employee does will be risk assessed beforehand. (though you have to do it for contractors) Here, I would not, for example, expect to risk assess the action of two employees shifting a desk from here to there. But I would do it for furniture movers. Once a task is risk assessed the employer is deemed to be aware of any risks identified. Should an injury occur due to an identified risk then the employer is hit with an "inexcusable fault" and it does not matter what action has been taken to alleviate the risk. It is strictly a matter of results. None of that "reasonable" stuff. In another example, in Holland should PPE be deemed necessary then the employer MUST ensure that it is worn. But the employee can refuse to wear it. (liberty of the individual) Should any injury occur because of non-use of PPE then it is the EMPLOYER'S fault. In Germany, any safety initiative must be submitted to the works committee. Who can totally block it. "Safety glasses ? Nein." There are other examples of cultural differences. Did I tell you about the company in Barcelona which provides a 10 gallon barrel of wine in the workshop ? Thirsty ? have a drink. (a bit rough for my taste. But then ...) So, you takes your culture and you pays your money. 1-day lost time injury rates in France average 30 per 600 man years (1 000 000 working hours) which is equivalent to 6 on the OSHA scale. How does that compare to the UK rate ? Damned if I know Merv

Posted By Robert Tailby I don't think so, but mainly because we are so far behind on occ health and rehab/return to work as compared to the Nordic/Scandinavians and Australasians - that's the impression I get anyway.

Posted By Davelfc My belief is there is better practice in some countries than others, some are ahead of the game on work at height and others with Occupational Health. No one country can claim to be streets ahead of another while accidents continue to happen Same with companies they may have really good policy and procedures second to none. They may have problems with communication, or inspection and monitoring, behaviour, supervision, attitude of someone in the management chain, ignorance. Flip side You may have a company with poor policies but good experienced management who care. and really it does not matter what country you are from or in. Its about regime, understanding and all the other links in the chain. break a link the chain snaps. That said I have heard though the Scandinavians are very good? Dave