European health and safety week focuses on dangerous substances

The 2003 European Week for Safety and Health at Work was held during October and focused on combating the risks of dangerous substances at work. These substances contribute significantly to the 350 million days lost through occupational ill health each year in the EU and to the 7 million people suffering from occupational illnesses.

A new EU-wide campaign to reduce the risks of chemicals, biological agents and other dangerous substances at work was launched by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work in May 2003 (eu0306202n). The campaign formed the centrepiece of the Agency’s annual European Week for Safety and Health and Work that took place during October 2003 (though each country concerned decides for itself which week during the month to designate as its health and safety week). The European Week for Safety and Health at Work is an information campaign designed to raise awareness and promote activities to make Europe a safe and healthy place to work. According to the Agency, with the backing of all Member States and enlargement countries, the European Commission and European Parliament, trade unions and employers’ organisations, this annual initiative has become the largest workplace safety and health event in Europe, providing a unique opportunity to focus attention on the importance of safety and health at work. The European Week in 2003 provided the main focus for activities taking place throughout Member States and acceding and candidate countries to reduce the risks of working with dangerous substances. In addition, events organised as part of the dangerous substances campaign have been taking place throughout 2003. The campaign culminates in November with a closing event, at which annual Good Practice Awards will be announced.

Dangerous substances and their consequences

The Agency states that dangerous substances can be found in nearly all workplaces – from farms and factories to hairdressers and hospitals. These substances contribute significantly to the 350 million days lost through occupational ill health in the EU each year and to the 7 million people suffering from occupational illnesses. Data collated by the Agency indicate that:

• some 32 million EU employees are exposed to carcinogenic agents;

• 22% of workers inhale fumes and vapours for at least a quarter of their working time; and

• 16% of workers have to handle dangerous substances as part of their daily work.

Cancers, asthma and neuropsychiatric problems are among the illnesses that can be caused by these substances, as well as damage to the nervous and immune systems affecting vital organs such as the lungs, heart, kidneys and liver. Research has shown that 4% of all cancers, for example, are work-related and that 10% of employees contract eczema. In addition, studies suggest that one third of all cases of adult-onset asthma are caused by workplace exposures.

Global production of chemicals is currently running at 400 million tonnes a year and there are 100,000 different substances registered for sale in the EU. However, the Agency notes that two-thirds of the 30,000 most commonly used chemicals in the EU have not been subjected to full and systematic toxicological tests and assessments. Only new chemicals notified since 1981 must undergo these tests, although the EU is developing a strategy to systematically assess so-called 'existing' chemicals.

Furthermore, 99% of all businesses in the chemicals industry, amounting to roughly 36,000 firms, are small to medium-sized businesses, with little or no toxicological expertise. According to one study cited by the Agency, risk prevention regulations regarding substances with known toxicological risks are complied with in as few as 12% of firms, while another study found that 20% of safety data sheets supplied by manufacturers of hazardous substances contained errors.

The sectors most at risk range from construction and agriculture to printing, cleaning, healthcare and automotive mechanics.

Occupational skin diseases alone, which often force employees to change jobs, including 10% of hairdressers, are calculated to cost the EU some EUR 600 million a year. Occupational asthma is calculated to cost the EU between EUR 400 million and EUR 800 million. The human and financial costs, however, are likely to be much larger, given that the existing data are based on studies of substances with known toxicities.

EU legislation

The EU has allocated a high priority to safeguarding the health and safety of workers and existing EU health and safety legislation aims to minimise the health risks from dangerous substances in the workplace, placing the emphasis on their elimination and substitution so as to protect workers. There are four important Directives in this field:

• Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989. This is the framework Directive containing the basic provisions for health and safety at work, where not covered by more specific legislation;

• Directive 98/24/EC of 7 April 1998 on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work;

• Directive 90/394/EEC of 28 June 1990 on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens at work and its amendments; and

• Directive 2000/54/EC of 18 September 2000 on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents at work.

In addition, a White Paper on a future chemicals policy was issued by the Commission on 27 February 2001. There is also a large amount of EU guidance available for employers and employees, though this must be acted on if it is to contribute to protecting workers’ health.

Commentary

The dangers of toxic substances used every day by employees carrying out their work are increasingly being recognised, and the current EU campaign has underlined the need for action. The director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, highlighted the crucial issues and the urgency of the situation, saying: 'Dangerous substances need to be handled with care – this is the key message of our 2003 campaign. In many cases, safe substitutes for dangerous substances do exist, for instance, to replace organic solvents. If this is not possible, exposure can be eliminated or reduced through efficient control measures. We hope to communicate these messages along with a lot of good practice information to workplaces all across Europe where dangerous substances are handled.' This view is widely shared among all those with responsibility for the health and safety of the workforce. (Beatrice Harper, IRS)