Improved protection for workers against their exposure to chemicals 

This article is brought to you in association with the European Parliament.

• New limit values for chemicals used in battery, steel, chemical and textile industries 
• Stronger provisions for personal protective equipment  
• According to the Commission, these new measures can prevent about 1,700 lung cancer cases and 19,000 other illnesses over 40 years 

On Wednesday, the Employment and Social Affairs committee adopted its position on new provisions improving EU standards to protect workers from exposure to dangerous substances.

With 45 votes in favour, no votes against, and 10 abstentions, Employment and Social Affairs Committee MEPs approved the sixth revision of the carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances directive (CMRD), which includes new exposure limit values for certain dangerous chemicals, based on the latest scientific data.

New exposure limit values

MEPs backed new limit values for cobalt and its inorganic compounds, used for battery production, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, used in steel, iron and aluminium production, and 1,4-dioxane, used for chemical and textile production. They also supported the addition of welding fumes.

Isoprene

MEPs included a long-term occupational exposure limit value for isoprene (used in the chemical and rubber producing industry), which they say meets the criteria for classification as carcinogenic. Exposure to isoprene can cause irritation to the nose, throat, and lungs, and chronic and high exposure may lead to liver cancer and anaemia.

Use of protective equipment

To improve the protection of workers, the Employment and Social Affairs Committee added an obligation for employers to provide personal protective equipment, such as respiratory protective devices, when residual exposure cannot be reduced to levels below the limit values, which need to be adjusted to a worker’s body-type. When wearing them, workers should have the right to regular breaks in contamination-free areas, MEPs say.

Firefighters

MEPs also want additional protection measures for firefighters and emergency services personnel, who are at risk of coming into contact with a variety of hazardous materials during their work. The report underlines the need for specific risk assessments, adequate protective measures, and targeted medical surveillance for firefighters and emergency services personnel.

Support for small and medium sized businesses

To support small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) with the implementation of the directive, MEPs want member states to monitor and report the effects of the implementation of the legislation on SMEs, including specific measures such as financial and technical support.

Gender dimension

As workers can be more vulnerable to different types of substances depending on their gender, the committee wants gender mainstreaming to become an integral part of the development of all occupational safety and health policies.

Quote

Rapporteur Liesbet Sommen (EPP, BE), said: “In the EU, each year around 120,000 workers are diagnosed with cancer following exposure to carcinogens at their workplace. We cannot accept this; no one should be made sick just by going to work. The new exposure limits we are proposing will ensure better protection for thousands of workers across the EU. We are working to improve the protection of workers, reduce health risks, and support decent working conditions.”

Next steps

The decision to enter interinstitutional negotiations was adopted by the committee with 30 votes in favour, 8 votes against and 16 abstentions. The negotiating mandate still has to be endorsed in plenary, before negotiations with the Council on the final shape of the law can begin.

Background

The sixth revision of the carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances directive should improve the protection of workers against occupational diseases and lower risks to workers’ health. According to the European Commission, it will prevent about 1,700 lung cancer cases and 19,000 other illnesses over the next 40 years.