Brussels, 8 July 2025

Note for the attention of Mr Morten FJALLAND

Director OIB

Subject: Renovation of the courtyard of the “Grand Clovis” nursery

R&D has been approached by several concerned parents who are calling for intervention in the “Grand Clovis” project.

R&D representatives attended the information meeting held by OIB for parents on 2 July, during which the project was presented.

The work was scheduled following an issue with the waterproofing, and OIB took the opportunity to renovate the entire courtyard. The project is scheduled to take approximately six months to complete. The project encompass es setting up the construction site, dismantling it and rebuilding the courtyard. The work will generate noise and dust.

We are pleased to see the playground being renovated, as this will create better conditions for the children’s development and ensure their well-being, as well as that of the nursery staff. We have noted that the work will only begin once the official procedures have been completed.

To protect and prevent the health and safety of the children and nursery staff, we would be grateful if you could send us the risk prevention plan provided for in the welfare at work code and the regulations on the safety of play areas.

This plan should contain:

1. A definition of the activities concerned, including a precise description of the work planned and the parties involved, including crèche staff

2. A preliminary, in-depth risk analysis of each type of exposure associated with the worksite for children, staff and external contractors, in particular:

• Physical risks, such as noise pollution from machinery, equipment, etc., which could cause hearing fatigue among staff, as well as auditory stress, sleep disturbance and concentration problems for the children.
• Chemical risks due to inhalation/intoxication during the dismantling of the playground and during the work, such as fine dust, fumes, solvents used, glue, etc.
• Psychosocial risks for staff, such as stress, changes in reference points, loss of quality, etc., as well as a feeling of insecurity and frustration for the children due to the limited space and lack of access to the outside world.
• Ergonomics-related risks, with a prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (joint pain, lower back pain, etc.) and the possibility of work-related accidents that could occur because of staff overexerting themselves by adapting activities to a reduced space.
• Organisational risks
• Unpredictable factors…

3. Proposed collective, individual and organisational preventive measures

4. Fire prevention with the advice of the emergency services (SIAMU)

5. Appropriate safety measures at the entrance to the crèche throughout the works

6. The establishment of a clear protocol including the site plan, the work schedule, the prevention sheets for each identified risk and the safety coordinator.

In addition to this prevention plan, we ask that:

• Nursery staff be involved in the process
• Parents be kept regularly informed of the progress of the work
• A “kiss & drive” parking area be set up, as requested by parents.

If this prevention plan cannot be presented as we are requesting, and given the OIB’s commitment that the work will only start once the official procedures have been completed, we are asking that the start of the work be postponed until a date later than the one scheduled for the end of August.

Failing that, we propose that an alternative solution be presented to parents, such as temporarily housing the children during the works at Palmerston (the former crèche).

The job of nursery nurse is listed as a high-risk occupation and requires particular attention to protect the physical health of our colleagues from musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).

To this end, we have received several reports of cases of sick leave and invalidity linked to MSDs.

Working conditions for nursery staff have deteriorated. Staff have to cope with an increased workload and mental strain due to staff shortages. The time credits hitherto authorised, which enabled them to take up to two days off a week, will be automatically halved from September onwards. This unilateral decision, despite the insistence of staff, will worsen the situation of our colleagues and will be a factor in psychosocial risks.

In view of the above, R&D is asking that measures be taken URGENTLY to restore serenity at Grand Clovis to safeguard the well-being of the children, parents and staff.

Cristiano Sebastiani,

President

Copy:

Mr S. Quest, Director General DG HR

Mr C. Roques, Deputy Director General DG HR

Mr L. Duluc, Head of Sector HR.F.4.001

Nursery staff