Two years ahead of proposed EU legislation, Formacare has agreed on a voluntary agreement to implement pan-European occupational exposure limits (OEL) for workers in the formaldehyde sector.
The voluntary agreement represents a commitment to implement an EU-wide binding occupational exposure limit of 0.3ppm (parts per million) for the 8-hour average and 0.6ppm for the short-term exposure limit. There is consensus among industry and trade unions that these values constitute a safe threshold for workers. The agreement has been signed by most members of Formacare, which is the formaldehyde sector group of official campaign partner European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic) , and...Ver más información
In jobs that involve the use of chemicals and dangerous substances, the risk of an industrial accident is always present. Accidents can cause casualties, environmental damage and economic harm. To keep their working environments safe, healthy and...
There is a broad spectrum of risks and consequences associated with workplace accidents involving chemicals. Some accidents can be small in scale and have relatively low impact, especially if basic preventive measures have been taken. Others, while still relatively small in scale, might have more serious consequences for the employees. For instance, a worker’s skin might become exposed to a dangerous substance due to a burst pipe or faulty container; or a farmer could accidentally drink...Ver más información
Many workers in the EU face dangerous substances on a regular basis. Indeed, 17% report being exposed to chemical products or substances for at least a quarter of their daily working time. Workers at shop-floor level should have access to...
International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSC) are a joint initiative between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) , with support from the European Commission. They can help businesses instruct and inform their workers about dangerous substances. Each card is a comprehensive, peer-reviewed data sheet featuring a particular substance, giving employers resources to take preventive measures. The ICSC scheme can be used by employers to protect workers...Ver más información
On 16 May some 100 experts, stakeholders and social partners took part in the European Wood Dust Conference in Brussels. Topics included implementing new occupational limit values for wood dust exposure, the state of play in relation to new...
Organised jointly by the European Commission, social partners from the Social Dialogue Wood and the Social Dialogue Furniture organisations (including official campaign partner European Federation of Building and Woodworkers ), the conference began with an update from the European Commission's Stefan Olsson. He provided information on new legislation relating to occupational limit values for wood dust. Experts from different companies across Europe then outlined the challenges: different...Ver más información
Every year, 31 May draws attention to the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure. The World No Tobacco Day aims to discourage the use of tobacco in any form and to call individuals, the public and governments to take action to promote a smoke-free lifestyle. The initiative by the World Health Organization (WHO) each year highlights a theme that disseminates a unified global message and the 2019 campaign raises awareness about the exposure to tobacco and how it...Ver más información
Exposure to carcinogens is estimated to be the leading cause of work-related deaths in the EU, responsible for nearly 80,000 deaths a year. Large numbers of workers are exposed to carcinogens, including those generated by work processes. However,...
What are carcinogens? A carcinogen is a substance that can cause, aggravate or promote cancer in humans or animals. They can be inhaled or may enter through the skin or mucous membranes. Hundreds of carcinogenic substances exist to which workers may be exposed. Many workplace exposures are generated by work processes, and carcinogens can also be found in raw materials, products or by-products. Common examples include combustion products such as diesel exhaust emissions, welding fumes, soot and...Ver más información
The "Healthy Workplaces Campaign 2018-2019 - Manage Dangerous Substances" was presented during Enterprise Europe Network Polish National Meeting On the Eve of the Multiannual Financial Framework: the Network's Horizon Europe (15-16.05.2019) .
Representative of Central Institute for Labour Protection - National Research Institute (CIOP-PIB) (Warszawa, Poland) presented the "Healthy Workplaces Campaign 2018-2019 - Manage Dangerous Substances" during Enterprise Europe Network Polish National Meeting On the Eve of the Multiannual Financial Framework: the Network's Horizon Europe (15-16.05.2019) , Foundation for Promotion of Entrepreneurship (Lodz, Poland). Przedstawiciel Centralnego Instytutu Ochrony Pracy - Państwowego Instytutu...Ver más información
In this article, the chairman introduces and presents EU-OSHA’s infographic tool on how to manage dangerous substances to Greek air cooling and refrigeration engineers and technicians.
The article analyses how workers can use this infographic to help ensure their safety during maintenance work. It also highlights the correct procedure for all workers who deal with potentially harmful liquid, gas or solid form substances in their daily work. Finally, it underlines the importance of a health and safety culture, risk assessment for every work role, preventive measures, guidance tools for proper risk assessment and legislation.Ver más información
Global union confederation ITUC announced the theme for International Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April 2019 as ‘taking control – removing dangerous substances from the workplace’.
The union-led campaign emphasises a ‘Zero Cancer’ approach, urging worker safety representatives to seek to eliminate or minimise exposure to carcinogens in the workplace. Too many workers around the world die, are made ill, or otherwise harmed by dangerous substances at work. In some cases, the substances can come back from the workplace to the home to harm other people, such as the partner who washes the work clothes. The worker bears the greatest burden from this harm, but the cost impacts...Ver más información
Poor management of dangerous substances puts workers at risk and results in significant costs to companies. Here we look at real-life examples of how companies used preventive measures to improve their working conditions, keep workers safe and...
Invest in OSH to save money Even small investments in occupational safety and health (OSH) can make a big difference to a company looking to reduce the risks posed by dangerous substances. Businesses committed to creating a prevention culture and providing the appropriate resources will enjoy the rewards in the long run. According to a survey of 337 companies across 19 countries conducted by DGUV in Germany, the main effects of investing in OSH are: reduced hazards increased employee hazard...Ver más información
