This year, the Croatian National Council for Occupational Health and Safety at Work organized the celebration of the National day of occupational health and safety at work. The solemnization took place on April 28, in Ericsson Nikola Tesla. The representatives of the Government, trade unions professional organizations and specialists in the safety at work area, attended the event. The moderator of the event was Fran Marović, the president of the National Council for Occupational Health and Safety at Work.

Since 1989, April 28, is being marked in more than 120 countries, as the memorial day for workers who died, under the motto: ”Let’s remember the dead, and fight for alive “. The initiative for marking this day in Croatia, was given by the Croatian of independent trade unions, and  the idea was supported by the Economic and Social Council, and afterward the Croatian Parliament passed the decision and proclaimed April 28,  the National day of Occupational Health and Safety at Work.

In the introductory part of the event, several speakers addressed the audience, such as:  Goran Beus Richembergh, the vice-president of the Work and Social Partnership Committee, with the Croatian Government, Krešimir Rožman, the state secretary in the Ministry of Economy, Work and Entrepreneurship,  Krešimir Sever, the President of the Croatian independent trade unions and Mladen Novosel, the president Croatian autonomous trade unions. They all pointed out the importance of occupational health and safety at work today, in the market conditions, where a man is the bearer of growth and society development bearer. In addition, they the need in supplementary investement into prevented measures and programs for safety at work. 

On behalf of Ericsson Nikola Tesla, the host of the event, the audience was addressed by Snježana Bahtijari, director of Marketing and Communications (DOP included), and presented general company information.

Last year, there were 35 fatal injures at work in Croatia. The majority of them were in construction sector, but it is positive that the number of injuries at work considerably dropped during several past year.  The number of fatal injuries last year dropped by one, if compared to 2009, and considerably dropped in relation to 2006, when there were 46 fatal injuries. The figures were presented by Nenad Puljić, chief officer in the Safety at work unit of the Government Inspectorate. In 2010, there were 35 fatal victims, and six of them were engaged  in moonlighting jobs, which means 19 per cent. Eleven of the total fatal victims worked in the construction sector, and four of them were moonlighting.

 Last year, the inspectors at work carried out inspections on cases were the total of 1.254 persons were injured. Out of that number, the majority refers to processing industry (415 workers) and construction sector (304 workers). As of professional diseases, 98 cases were recorded.The majority referred to pneumoconiosis, and diseases caused by fibrogene mineral dust. The number of injuries at work has considerably reduced during the recent years. Thus, according to Marija Zavalić, the head of the Croatian Institute for Health and safety at work, in 2010 the number of reported injuries reads 18.109 and in 2009, there were more than 25.000, injuries reported.

The event continued with the presentation of positive practice in Ericsson Nikola Tesla, Končar-Energetski transformatori and Komgrad. Example form Ericssona Nikola Tesla was presented by Snježana Bahtijari. She underlined the systematic company health and safety care for all its employees and a continuous process to improve  work conditions in the company.  As of many activities in the company, she pointed out the implementation of the health management system and safety at work, regular systematic medical examinations, numerous recreational activities, continuous education and employees training. Ericsson Nikola Tesla is a good example of  a responsible company, since it provides its employees with good working conditions, motivating ambience and safe and healthy environment. Snježana Bahtijari concluded her presentation with a statement that with such a responsible relation to its employees the company created conditions for future growth and development of company performance.

A life award for promoting the occupational health and safety of work was given to Krešimir Fabijanić, who is a professional with a long time experience in the given area of activities. Krešimir Rožman, the state secretary in the Ministry of Economy, Work and Entrepreneurship, handed in the award.

Company Communications, Ericsson Nikola Tesla