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EPSARE is a new research project launched by the Health and Safety Department of ETUI-REHS with the support of the Swedish SALTSA programme.
EPSARE is analysing the role and effectiveness of safety reps in improving work environment at workplace level.
Safety Reps are one of the most diffused forms of workers’ representation at workplace level. Although there are no systematic statistical data in the European Union, we can assume that their amount is a seven digit number. Most safety reps are trade union members even if the different industrial relations systems make possible in some countries the election of non unionised workers as safety reps.
There is already a lot of research on the legal framework for safety reps activities. However, research on the effectiveness of safety reps interventions both in the fields of health and safety and industrial relations is scarce. Thus, with only few exceptions, there is a lack of knowledge and debate (both scientific and political) on the factors and conditions that make safety reps an important asset in work environment strategies and interventions.
We believe that there is a positive impact of worker’s participation in the health and safety activities at the workplace level. There is some evidence that worker participation can not be maintained with a minimal formal structure of representation and that Trade Unions usually play a key role in such a structure. However, we do not know adequately and systematically which factors (e.g., training, information, union strategies, legal rights, support by public authorities, etc) may result in a positive impact of safety reps action in the health and safety.
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