European Chemicals Agency – occupational health in an EU agency

What kind of occupational health (OH) services does ECHA provide to the employees in Helsinki?

ECHA provides a comprehensive annual medical examination to its staff. In addition, medical services organized by ECHA include ergonomics checks, flu vaccinations and advice by the Agency's own Medical Advisor. For treatment of illnesses and accidents staff is affiliated to a sickness insurance scheme of the European Communities (Joint Sickness Insurance Scheme JSIS).

As an EU office, does ECHA apply local (Finnish) regulations when arranging OH services?

ECHA applies the common Staff Regulations of the EU-bodies. They also set European common requirements in the OH area. In practice the Finnish standards will be applied as the OH service providers (clinic and the doctor) are following the local standard.

What kind of plan of activities is there to promote work ability and wellbeing in ECHA?

An OH nurse has selected special working chairs to be used in the office and has individually advised all staff in the right working positions. Whenever there are special needs, tables and chairs are adjusted accordingly. The annual medical examination is an obligation to the staff, allowing the OH specialists to detect any problems related to the work ability of a staff member at an early stage.

Moreover, ECHA promotes actively social contacts between staff, including also all family events. Most of the work is carried out in teams, making it easier to get to know one's colleagues. Emphasis is also put into ergonomic workstations. It is self-evident that there is a zero tolerance for any kind of harassment.

What kind of collaboration is there between OH services and HR?

The medical centre carrying out the annual medical examinations reports to ECHA on regular basis on the issues that have arisen during the medical visits and should be addressed, such as high levels of stress. The reports are of course drafted on a general level, without any personal information that could compromise the doctor-patient privilege.

What is the level of knowledge and interest of the employees and their expectations towards OH services?

ECHA staff is informed on the OH services on their first working days, and in general they are very keen to use the available services. The awareness of the staff in OH issues at ECHA is very high as in our staff we have also medical doctors, toxicologists and environmental experts. Also our Staff Committee is very active.

Can you name some major OH or work ability related concerns in ECHA?

The demanding work may cause stress, and it is not always easy to balance the private and professional life. Most of the ECHA employees have moved to Finland from abroad, and assisting them to settle well into their new surroundings is a matter of great importance to the Agency.