The European Parliament has approved new rules to improve EU standards protecting workers from exposure to certain dangerous substances.
Cancer is the leading cause of work-related deaths in the EU. Around 120,000 workers in the EU are diagnosed every year with occupational cancer linked to exposure to carcinogens at work.
This sixth revision of the carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances directive (CMRD) now includes new exposure limit values for certain dangerous chemicals, based on the most up-to-date scientific data.
The updates to the directive – already provisionally agreed by the European Parliament and Council – set new limit values for cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds (used in battery production), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (used in steel, iron and aluminium production), and 1,4-dioxane, which is used in chemical and textile production.
The directive also sets a long-term occupational exposure limit value for isoprene (used in the chemical and rubber producing industry), as this substance meets the criteria for classification as carcinogen.
The European Commission will have to assess the need to set additional limit values for substances contained in welding fumes.
When exposure cannot be reduced to levels below the proposed limit values, the updated law clarifies rules on personal protective equipment, such as respiratory protective devices, including the right to regular breaks in an area clear of contamination risks.
For firefighters, employers will have to ensure additional protection measures for firefighters and other emergency services personnel, who are at risk of contact with a variety of hazardous materials in the course of their work.
The directive insists on the importance of appropriate training for workers who are, or who are likely to be, exposed to carcinogens, mutagens or reprotoxic substances, including hazardous medicinal products, i.e. pharmaceutical substances that can cause harm to workers in the health sector if not handled or used appropriately.
The EU member states will now have two years from the directive’s entry into force to transpose its provisions, with longer transitional periods for certain occupational exposure limit values.
