Safety issues
How we enjoy work depends not only on the salary, work hours, influence etc., but also, to a great extent, on the working environment and on the work health.Historically, our professions belong to the most exposed and dangerous professions including: an extensive handling of substances injurious to health, and hours of the working-day spent climbing on to stools, trestles, ladders etc. with everything connected including the risk of falling down and other strains, physical as well as psychological.
However, purposeful union work over many years, has improved: water has replaced highly dangerous solvents, work tools have got an ergonomic design, legislation has made clear work commitments, work methods have developed and society's view of the working-environment issues has significantly changed and been brought into focus in a positive way. Still, much work and improvements remain to be done before we can be entirely pleased. That will happen when a painter and a sprayer after a full working life remains a healthy person, and not before.
The big questions of principle, which the union will work with over the next years, include environmental declarations reaching further than the present ones, environmental programmes pushing developments further ahead, a clear working-environment policy in the union and, in combination, a platform of strategy about how we will work in order to reach our goals in the best and quickest way.
Issues we work with in this area
Allergies, rashes
Good work tools
Better working organization
Better industrial health service
Falling-down accidents
Change and develop working methods and ways of working
Wrist strengthening
A wage system connected to the working environment and working health (work rotation, for instance)
Environmental declarations - environmental programmes: to be upgraded
Influencing of public opinion
Staff locations with adequate interiors and equipment
Influence/stimulate the employers to take their responsibilities seriously
A plan of strategy for the work on the working environment, working-environment policy
Increased research
Increased knowledge
Increased preventive work
Text: Guideline
Translation: John Forward
