Latest News
New Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances legislation and Code of Practice published
The new Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances) Regulations 2024, have been published. They consolidate the 2001 Carcinogens regulations along with its amendments in 2015 and 2019 and includes the requirements of EU Directive (EU) 2022/431. It is available for download from the Irish Statute Book here .
The Health and Safety Authority has also published the 2024 Code of Practice for the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations (2001-2021) & the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens, Mutagens and Reprotoxic Substances) Regulations (2024). The new COP is available for download here.
The 2024 regulations along with the Code of Practice have transposed Directive (EU) 2022/431 which is the fourth update to Directive 2004/37/EC (Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (CMD)). This Directive brings reprotoxic substances under its scope and introduces hazardous medicinal products (HMPs). Both the regulations and Code will not introduce any new or additional national measures other than what is required from Directive (EU) 2022/431.
The Directive revises the limit values for three key carcinogens: benzene, acrylonitrile and nickel compounds. The Biological Limit Values for lead have also been transferred from the Chemical Agents Directive to the CMR Directive. These binding occupational exposures limit values and biological limit values have been included in the 2024 Code of Practice. The limit values have different transition periods.
Further information will be available on the HSA website.
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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