Michaels addresses European parliament on workplace safety goals

Brussels – The United States and European Union need to work together to develop solutions to the many shared challenges in protecting workers from injuries, illnesses and deaths, OSHA administrator David Michaels said in July 13 remarks to the European Parliament.

Speaking before the parliament's Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, Michaels said both the United States and European Union face an aging workforce, poorly controlled hazardous exposures, language barriers with workers, and small businesses that lack the resources or expertise to adequately protect workers.”

“With so many shared challenges, it’s only logical that we work together to find shared solutions,” he said.

Michaels said he looked forward to both sides of the Atlantic working together on eliminating the threat of occupational cancer and finding new ways to engage employers in addressing workplace safety issues.

He stressed that both share an obligation to ensure workers in developing countries have a safe working environment, calling it a human rights issue.