[Health protection of workers in the European legislation of the Rome Treaty today].

Occupational hygiene and prevention of occupational accidents and diseases are institutional objectives of the social policy of the European Union as stated in the Treaty establishing the European Community (firstly Treaty of Rome, signed on 25 March 1957). In this report the legislative activity of the European Community aimed at the improvement of the working environment to protect workers' health and safety is considered through its historical development, up to the present situation. The first part of the report briefly describes the Institutions established by the European Community, with specific tasks relating to occupational hygiene and health and safety at work. Then European laws grouped in categories according to their subjects are considered, especially with regard to the development and progress of the legislation, to point out main features and historical trends.