text: The ethical and economic importance of safe and healthy working conditions was the root cause for the 
  development of a strong legal framework and comprehensive policy actions targeting EU workplaces. 
  The objective of all related measures is to reduce the avoidable burden for individuals and society, that 
  is annually more than 3,000 fatal accidents at work, and more than 230,000 severe accidents at work, 
  and an estimated 180,000 deaths from work-related illness. 
  
  During the last 50 years, we have witnessed**significant progress**in the field of OSH in EU Member 
  States. Milestones along the way provide evidence that a preventive, proactive and often participative 
  approach has become mainstream in policies and many businesses. The number of work accidents that 
  Eurostat registers has decreased significantly in the period between 1994 and 2020. The EU stabilised 
  and promoted this development, particularly in the 1990s, by adopting the overarching OSH Framework 
  Directive and 24 specific OSH directives. OSH strategies and strategic frameworks at EU and Member 
  State levels have contributed to streamlined approaches in priority areas. Higher safety and health 
  standards, better preventive technologies and OSH management, improved training and education of 
  OSH professionals, and scientific, technical and medical progress have contributed considerably to 
  improving safety and health at work. Member States, the EU and international organisations have been 
  providing comprehensive and manifold guidance and support for enterprises, covering virtually every 
  kind of OSH-related issue and proposing practical preventive measures. Broad and extensive research 
  at national institutes and universities and by EU institutions has considerably improved the level of 
  evidence and knowledge on OSH. 