site.bta Employers Push for More Effective OSH Legislation

Employers Push for  More Effective OSH Legislation

Sofia, October 16 (BTA) - The employers call for simpler and
more effective legislation for safety and health at work, Deputy
 Chairman of the Bulgarian Industrial Association Dimiter
Brankov said Friday during the annual meeting of the members of
the European Network of Safety and Health Professional
Organizations (ENSHPO). The forum was hosted by the Podkrepa
trade union and organized by the National Association for Safety
 and Health at Work.

Brankov said that in Bulgaria at the moment, regulations of 25
years ago are in effect, hand in hand with other EU regulations.
 He noted that a review of the obsolete requirements is needed,
as well as simplification of the occupational safety and health
requirements for SMEs, depending on the sector they work in.
Brankov said that more and more Bulgarian employers recognize
their moral responsibility in the prevention of risks during
work.

Podkrepa President Dimiter Manolov said that although there are
moot points between trade unions and employers in the area of
safety and health at work, they are not as grave as in the area
of work pay, and the social partners are aware that safety at
work is a fundamental need.

Chairman of the National Association for Safety and Health at
Work Valentin Iliev said that the Association carries out
initiatives for safety at work awareness and information
targeting young children, who are "the future employers and
employees".

Representatives of the General Labour Inspectorate said that a
large-scale campaign for occupational safety and health in
construction has reduced fatalities in the sector this year by
almost a half, while accidents at work decreased by a fifth.