SMS Funding Scheme 2002-2003: Promoting Health and Safety in European Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

The Community Strategy on safety and health at work (2002-2006) calls for specific measures in terms of information, awareness and risk prevention programmes for SMEs and especially for very small businesses. This has been reinforced by a recent Commission Communication on the implementation of EU safety and health Directives. According to the Commission, one of the keys to reducing the high level of accidents and ill-health must be to successfully communicate all necessary information to those who run small businesses. Managing health and safety must be an integral part of managing their business.