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IntroductionAsbestos is a widely used constituent in buildings and building materials, machines, transport vehicles and consumer products. Asbestos has a known historic use going back at least 4500 years where it was added as a strengthening material…
IntroductionThe presence of biological agents in occupational environments is an important health and social problem. Micro- and macroorganisms and the structures and substances they produce may exert a harmful influence upon exposed individuals leading…
IntroductionBiological agents have a ubiquitous presence in the environment and are found in many sectors. As they are rarely visible, the risks they pose are not always appreciated, but exposure may lead to include acute and chronic, sometimes life-…
IntroductionBiological monitoring (biomonitoring) in occupational safety and health is the detection of substances (biomarkers) in biological samples of workers, compared to reference values. This article is limited to chemical exposures. Biomonitoring…
IntroductionCarcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic substances are often referred to as a group, due to the fact that a substance may present all three types of hazards but also due to similarities in classification and in legal approach. The abbreviation…
IntroductionPicture 1: A chemical storeroomNearly all industries, including the agri-food industry and the service industry, use chemicals in variable amounts and must therefore store them, as well as the produced chemical waste before disposal. Acting…
Background and scope of guidelinesThese non-binding guidelines aim to help employers and workers to stay safe and healthy in a working environment that has changed significantly because of the COVID-19 pandemic. They give advice on:Risk assessment and…
Background and scope of guidanceOn 11th March 2020 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak as pandemic. The European Commission is working together with the WHO and Member State public health authorities to contain…
IntroductionThis article examines the reasons why certain groups of workers may be at greater risk of exposure to dangerous substances in the workplace. The article covers new workers, young workers, migrant workers and workers with certain medical…