Zero deaths at work

FEPS and Pietro Nenni, in collaboration with the trade union UIL, inaugurated the next edition of the Go Beyond Academy. This year, it will be devoted to the critical issue of workplace safety and the prevention of occupational accidents — a growing crisis across Europe. According to the latest Eurostat data, there were 3,286 fatal workplace accidents in the EU in 2022. The European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC) has warned that, without decisive action, almost 30,000 people may lose their lives at work in the EU over this decade. The ETUC manifesto Zero Deaths at Work, also published in 2022, highlights another alarming trend: workplace safety inspections across Europe have decreased by half a million since the beginning of the last decade.

This project aims to equip participants with the tools to advocate for stronger workplace safety measures and raise awareness in support of the Zero Deaths at Work campaign — a cause in which UIL has played a leading role in Italy and Europe. In doing so, the initiative will bring together multiple stakeholders to address the urgent need for improved working conditions: experts in the field, academics, leading politicians, trade unionists, and institutional representatives.

The program will train 35 young trade unionists through four key modules. The first module will take place in Rome, setting the stage for discussions on policy and best practices. The second and third modules will consist of field visits to the two sectors with the highest fatal accident rates: construction and transport. The final module will be held in Brussels, where participants will engage directly with European institutions and trade unions to explore EU-wide strategies for strengthening workplace safety.

The project outcomes will result in a policy study about how to increase safety at work at the EU level and prevent fatal accidents, as well as a comparison of several member states.

For more information about this project, please do not hesitate to contact Elena Gil, Training and Project Coordinator (elena.gil@feps-europe.eu)