2003 discharge: European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

PURPOSE : presentation of the financial statements and the balance sheets for the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work for the financial year 2003.

CONTENT : this report presented by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work in Bilbao presents the financial statements and balance sheets of its activities in 2003.

The final budget of the Agency amounts to EUR 14.6 million including:

- Community subsidy, Employment DG: 91, 58 %;

- Community subsidy, Enlargement DG: 7, 19 %;

- miscellaneous revenue: 1, 23 %.

As regards staffing at the Agency, 33 posts have been established of which 29 were filled and 25 other posts (auxiliary contracts, seconded national experts, local staff, temporary staff). The total amount of staff is 54. Of these, number carrying out operational tasks: 34, administrative tasks: 12 and assorted tasks: 8.

The main objective of the Agency is to provide the Community bodies, the Member States and those involved in the field with information of use in the field of safety and health at work in order to encourage improvements, especially in the working environment, as regards the protection of the safety and health of workers.

The report states that approximately 600 partners associated with national focal points, nine expert groups, three topic centres, participation of PHARE and EFTA countries.

As far as the dissemination of information is concerned, the Agency set up the European Week for Safety and Health at work: 'dangerous substances' including:

- participation in 58 exhibitions and conferences;

- Electronic media: twice-weekly newsletter to 20 000 subscribers, website;

- Publications: 9 information reports and working documents, 11 fact sheets, 1 issue of the 'Forum' magazine, 3 newsletters - paper version, 19 press releases 3rd programme for SMEs (2003-2004):

- 40 projects selected 2nd programme for SMEs (2002-2003): 51 projects finalized.