The implementation of the occupational safety and health (OSH) strategy, confirmed by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, is evaluated every third year. The Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health, working in connection with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, participates in the evaluation. The central labour market organisations are represented in the Committee. The previous follow-up reports of the OSH strategy were written in 2001 and 2004. This third report has been drawn up according to the same principles.

In this report, the development of working conditions and occupational safety and health activities in six prioritised areas is described on the basis of research and statistical data. Fulfilment of the strategy's central principles is illustrated separately from the viewpoints of workplaces and the occupational safety and health administration. The network of partners in the health and safety sector including labour market organisations and research institutes and the European Union is dealt with in a separate paragraph.

Conclusions and assessments are presented at the end of the follow-up report. Working conditions have further improved in various sub-sectors but the good development seems to have partly stagnated. Occupational safety and health activities and the comprehensive co-operation in this sector have developed favourably. The report also shows that there is still much work to do for improving working conditions and new challenges are emerging with changes in working life.

The OSH strategy is implemented taking account of the guidelines laid down by the Government, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, and the European Union. An evaluation of the basis and needs for eventual renewal of the strategy is given at the end of the report.

Occupational Safety and Health Strategy: Follow-up Report 1998–2 007. Helsinki 2008. 65pp.
Publications of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health 2008:28
ISSN 1236-2050
ISBN 978-952-00-2740-7 (PDF)