Health and Safety

Euromines' members have subscribed to the Guidelines for Sustainable Development in the European Mining Sector as published in June 1999. All members are encouraged to achieve the highest standard of occupational health and safety for all who work in the sector. With regard to health and safety the Euromines guideline states:

Members shall provide good, safe and healthy working conditions, taking such protection measures as necessary.
Members shall identify potential risks associated with mining and shall adopt suitable preventive measures to remove or reduce such risks.

The European Mining Industry is committed to continuously improve its health and safety record and in many cases goes beyond legal compliance in the management and measures taken.

For further information, see the Euromines brochure on Occupational Health and Safety Management.




Respirable crystalline silica

On 25 April 2006, 14 industry sectors including Euromines and EMCEF signed the multi-sectoral social dialogue "Agreement on Workers Health Protection through the Good Handling and Use of Crystalline Silica and Products Containing it". This agreement has entered into force on 25 October 2006. Euromines members concerned with respirable crystalline silica exposure at the workplace have thus committed themselves to do a risk assessment at the workplaces checking for the presence of respirable crystalline silica, monitor the possible exposure to the substance, apply the good practices that are currently available and listed in the good practice guide and organise the necessary training for applying these good practices. The members will report these issues according to a biannual reporting scheme, starting in 2008. The agreement, its annexes and the good practice guide have been translated into 19 EU languages and can be downloaded from www.nepsi.eu (NePSi is the acronym for the multi-sectoral Negotiation Platform on Silica).


The English copy of the agreement and the annexes can be downloaded here:

- Agreement on Workers Health Protection through the Good Handling and Use of Crystalline Silica and Products containing it

- Good Practice Guide on Workers Health Protection through the Good Handling and Use of Crystalline Silica and Products containing it - Part I

- Good Practice Guide on Workers Health Protection through the Good Handling and Use of Crystalline Silica and Products containing it - Part II