ABSTRACT
An atypical contribution This is a very special contribution. I was asked to make it as a trade unionist as an input into the debate aimed at defining the ethical principles that govern the workings of health and safety activities. The trade union movement has no firm tradition of debate where ethical aspects of health and safety (or indeed many other) issues are concerned. Further, my own professional experience is not restricted to a specific country, and I can say with certainty that the way ethical issues are handled is subject to major cultural peculiarities. In these few pages, I shall undertake to outline a few criteria that the trade union movement deems vital in discussions of ethical principles underlying health and safety in the workplace. Whilst my thoughts are based on regular contacts with a large number of trade union officials responsible for such issues, they do not constitute an official viewpoint taken by the European trade unions. Personally, I doubt whether such a viewpoint could ever be drawn up.
