European Agency for Safety and Health at Work

The Plastic Products Manufacture sector can be divided into the polymer manufacturing industry and the polymer materials forming industry. In Greece, the plastics production industry is an important manufacturing activity, specializing in specific segments of the plastics market and products (intermediate and final). The sector's activities include supply and manufacturing of raw material, machinery manufacturing, production of a wide range of plastic products (from bags and bottles to pipes and car parts) and their recycling. In these companies a number of chemical substances are used and also produced as by-products in the production processes and some of them  can create harm to  the health of the exposed workers. Across the spectrum of the plastics manufacturing industry, there are many different types of production processes and complex machinery that pose risks to the health and safety of workers.Important OSH hazards/risks in the Plastic Products Manufacture sector are: the use of machines (extrusion, injection, thermoforming, cutting machines, etc.), trips and slips, falls from a height, risk of fire from the use and storage of flammable materials, exposure to chemical agents (toxic substances, vapors/gases, fumes, plastic dusts), electrical hazards from work equipment, contact with very hot or very cold surfaces or materials, exposure to high levels of noise from machinery, manual handling and lifting of loads, prolonged standing and repetitive movements, insufficient work organization, work-related stress and time pressure, lack of education and training etc.The OiRA tool for the Plastic Products Manufacture sector consists of 17 thematic modules and in addition, it includes identification & risk assessment forms corresponding to the business more characteristic work duties/job positions. Its use for conducting a RA study provides the possibility for employers to act preventively for possible incidents of occupational accidents or work-related illnesses. The implementation of the appropriate protection and prevention measures ensures the protection of workers and/or customers and, at the same time, improves the performance and competitiveness of the business.

DISCLAIMER: Companies should be aware that this tool has been developed at EU level and can differ from national legislative requirements.Violence from third parties, such as customers, patients, pupils or members of the public impacts a wide range of sectors and occupations. This tool helps enterprises (particularly small ones) to identify and manage the safety and health risks associated with third-party violence, and implement appropriate preventive measures to safeguard their workers.

DISCLAIMER: Companies should be aware that this tool has been developed at EU level and can differ from national legislative requirements.Since teleworking has become common after the pandemic, this tool aims at creating safer and healthier workspaces at home. It supports employers implementing a teleworking policy, and teleworkers in preventing risks related to workplace environment, the workstation and psychosocial risks that teleworking can bring about.The OiRA tool on telework is not sector-specific and can be used by any business.

DISCLAIMER: Companies should be aware that this tool has been developed at EU level and can differ from national legislative requirements.This is a generic tool for all those that are interested in OiRA and do not have a national tool for their sector available. It gives an overview of possible risks for a range of activities and might serve most companies. However it is up to the companies to check that specific risks of their sectors not covered by the generic OiRA tool will have to be included into their risk assessment