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New Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances legislation and Code of Practice to be published

In April of this year, an update to the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens) Regulations 2001 will be published. Additionally, the 2021 Code of Practice that supports these regulations and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agent) Regulations 2001-2015 will also be updated and published.

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Joint Summit: Preventing occupational exposure to Hazardous Medicinal Products (HMPs)

The Health and Safety Authority participated in a joint Summit on preventing occupational exposure to Hazardous Medicinal Products (HMPs). The Summit was held at Fórsa’s office in Dublin on the 30th of January 2024, hosted by Fórsa, the European Biosafety Network (EBN), the Hospital Pharmacists Association of Ireland (HPAI), and the National Association of Hospital Pharmacy Technicians (NAHPT).

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Lead and di-isocyanates

European council have signed off on the new limit values on the 26th February. The directive will now be signed and published in the Official Journal of the EU. It will enter into force on the twentieth day following publication. The adopted directive revises the limit values for lead as follows:

  • occupational exposure limit from 0.15 milligrams per cubic meter (0.15mg/m3) to 0.03mg/m3, and
  • biological limit value from 70 microgram per 100 millilitres of blood (70µg/100ml) to 15µg/100ml (30 µg/100ml until 2028)

Lead accumulates in the bones and is released slowly into the circulatory system. Therefore, according to the adopted directive, workers who have high blood lead levels due to exposure which occurred before the transposition of this directive will undergo regular medical surveillance. They will be able to continue working with lead if their blood lead levels exhibit a declining trend.  To protect against the reprotoxic effects of lead, lower limit values (4.5 µg/100 ml) for medical surveillance measures will apply as regards female workers of childbearing age.

The press release can be found here Protecting workers against lead and diisocyanates: Council signs off on new limit values - Consilium (europa.eu)

We have  two years to update our national legislation and Code of Practice to implement the new limits.  Further communication including website updates will be issued once the Directive has been signed off.

Chemical Agents Webpage updated

The Chemical Agents Webpage has been updated to include a section on Diisocyanates. This includes information on the Restriction, training requirements and resources including posters in several languages.

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The EU Commission has published new ‘Guidance for the Safe Management of Hazardous Medicinal Products ‘’HMPs’’ at Work

HMPs are defined as medicinal products that contain one or more substances that meet the criteria for classification in accordance with Regulation (EC)No 1272/2008 (the CLP Regulation). This includes medicinal products for both human and veterinary use. The guidance on the use of HMPs is presented in a simple and reader friendly way by using graphics, photos and special training documents. It is a non-binding document designed to be used by workers, employers, public authorities and safety experts.  Link to Guidance 

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Risk Assessment Page Updated

The Chemicals Risk Assessment webpage has been reorganised and updated. It now includes examples of assessments that Inspectors have seen during inspections and investigations. They are in different formats because different formats suit different types of activities involving chemicals. The examples have been reviewed and comments included on how they should be improved. They illustrate how you can improve the compliance of your risk assessments.

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How to achieve best outcomes for occupational hygiene monitoring in your business

Occupational Hygiene is the discipline of anticipating, recognising, evaluating and controlling health hazards in the working environment. It is not just about the air quality at the workplace. It includes inhalational exposure (air), dermal exposure (skin, contaminated surfaces) and inadvertent ingestion. It applies to measurements of chemicals, noise and vibration in the workplace.

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Training Requirement for Products Containing diisocyanates

From 24 August 2023, all workers (employed or self-employed), using mixtures containing diisocyanates (e.g. insulation and filler foams used in construction and vehicle repair), must undergo training. All employers must keep a record of successful completion and ensure its renewal every five years. The suppliers of these products must already ensure that the labelling includes the statement; “As from 24 August 2023 adequate training is required before industrial or professional use.” The suppliers, from the 24 August 2023, must check training information is available.

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