Many industries use and store dangerous chemicals, and the chemical waste produced. Storing these substances safely is essential to protect workers’ health, the environment, and the public from the effects of potential chemical spills and gas...
Which risks arise from unsafe chemical storage? Improper storage resulting in chemical emissions can be due to many factors. Mechanical damage to containers; container ageing; expansion of the filling; or the sampling and transfer of chemicals, to name a few. To avoid unwanted chemical reaction, strict rules govern the clustering of chemicals in storage rooms. There are many risks to human health. Some chemicals can cause intoxication, for example when liquid bleach comes into contact with an...Ver más información
EU-OSHA in cooperation with the International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animated Film ( DOK Leipzig 2019 ) looks for best films on work-related topics and working conditions that address the human being in a changing world of work. The award in the “Healthy Workplaces” category has been continuously presented since 2009, thus 2019 marks 10 years since its first introduction. In addition to the prize of €5,000, the winning film is subtitled and screened and discussed across many...Ver más información
EIFFAGE infrastructures together with 2 academic research laboratories (IFSTTAR and CEREMA Méditerranée) have developed a new methodology to characterise the organic part of reclaimed asphalt pavement that completely eliminates the use of...
Each year, tens of thousands of laboratory analyses are carried out on samples of reclaimed asphalt pavement coming from French roads for recycling. These analyses are carried out to check the possibilities of re-use of this material. However, they require the use of a carcinogenic solvent, PCE, by thousands of laboratory assistants. PCE or (tetrachloroethylene) can induce neurologic effects during acute of chronic exposures. It irritates the skin and mucosa (a mucous membrane that lines...Ver más información
Dangerous substances are a hazard to all workers. However, some groups, such as women, may be more vulnerable to exposure than others. This is due, in particular, to a lack of female-orientated research in the area and the ‘one-size-fits-all’...
Why can women be more vulnerable to dangerous substances than men? Men and women are concentrated in different sectors; men work more in industry and women in services. And in many workplaces, such as those involving manual labour or service-based duties, men and women are required to complete different jobs or tasks which could mean that they are exposed to different dangerous substances. Contact with dangerous chemicals, such as formaldehyde, cytostatic drugs, biocides, hair dyes and some...Ver más información
EU-OSHA’s Healthy Workplaces Manage Dangerous Substances campaign partners and other experts gathered at a 2-day event in Brussels to share knowledge and experiences. In workshops and plenary sessions, participants debated ways of tackling workplace exposure to carcinogens and other dangerous substances. The importance of multidisciplinary efforts in occupational safety and health, effective systems for risk assessment and strong communication at all levels were among the topics covered. The...Ver más información
To tie in with the Healthy Workplaces Manage Dangerous Substances campaign, EU-OSHA has created an infosheet on an important topic in this area. Manufactured nanomaterials in the workplace provides information and advice on managing the risks posed by this fast-developing technology. Nanomaterials are used in many fields and may have a range of toxic effects. This infosheet presents the key facts and is now available in 17 languages. Visit the Healthy Workplaces Manage Dangerous Substances...Ver más información
Official campaign partners, media partners and representatives from the European Commission and EU-OSHA gathered in Brussels on 5 and 6 March 2019 to exchange good practice information on managing dangerous substances and to celebrate 10 years of...
Sharing knowledge and ideas on improving occupational safety and health (OSH) within businesses and organisations was the focus of the 2-day event . With attendees eager to learn from one another, a number of workshops offered practical tips into topics such as OSH and the environment, communication in OSH, protecting workers from carcinogenic substances, and how to rethink risk assessments. We spoke to some of our longstanding campaign partners about their thoughts on the event, their role in...Ver más información
EU-OSHA and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) work as partners to promote good practices and encourage the management of dangerous substances at workplaces. ECHA’s tools and information are a vital resource in the context of the Healthy...
A partnership aimed at the protection of workers Since according to its company survey 38% of European companies report using potentially dangerous chemical or biological substances in their workplaces, EU-OSHA has formed a key partnership with ECHA. As the primary body responsible for implementing the EU’s chemical legislation, the mission of ECHA is to work for the safe use of chemicals together with partners serving a wide range of EU policies and global initiatives. In 2010, the two...Ver más información
Information on the safe use of chemicals is key for workers’ protection. It therefore needs to be communicated in clear language and in a standardised format.
Managing Dangerous Substances: Safety precautions for worker’s protection Under Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), companies must identify and manage the risks linked to the substances they manufacture and market in the EU. In this regard, manufacturers and importers of chemical substances in Europe have to determine how the substances can be used safely throughout the...Ver más información
The Danish language of the online chemical risk assessment platform Stoffenmanager ® was launched on 27 February 2019 during an awareness-raising event in Copenhagen.
The event was organised by the National Research Centre for the Working Environment ( NFA ), Denmark . The event started with a warm welcome by Lars Andrup, research director NFA and was followed by a lecture of professor Keld Alstrup Jansen on the ‘Strategy and tools for assessing exposures in the working environment and risk assessment ‘. Further insights on risk assessment models and the historical background of Stoffenmanager® were presented by Henri Heussen the scientific director of...Ver más información
