INFECTIONS

New biological threats at work

Workers in every type of work could be at risk from biological agents, a new report has warned. The European Risk Observatory (ERO) report, backed up by a practical factsheet, says despite existing laws covering the issue, knowledge is still limited and in many workplaces biological risks are poorly assessed and prevented.

“Biological risks often remain underestimated although they may be very harmful for EU workers in literally any sector,” said Jukka Takala, director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, which runs ERO. “The challenge is to identify them quickly as they appear and analyse the consequences they might have on people’s health and to work out policies and procedures to minimise their spread.”

The report says most emerging risks relate to global epidemics with new contagious pathogens, for example severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian flu and Ebola, and re-emerging ones such as cholera and yellow fever. “Given the speed and volume of international traffic and trade, these substances may spread around the globe within a few hours and start a new pandemic,” it warns. ERO adds that as many of these diseases jump the species barrier from animals to humans, workers in contact with livestock are particularly at risk.

Other pathogens such as tuberculosis have become resistant to known drugs and can result in severe infections in healthcare workers. Complex exposure situations are found in new industries such as waste treatment where workers come in contact with a variety of airborne micro-organisms and organic compounds, it says. Moulds can spread in any indoor workplace due to poorly maintained air-conditioning and can cause asthma and allergies.

European Agency news release and factsheet on emerging biological risks [pdf] • Expert forecast on emerging biological risks related to occupational safety and health [pdf]

Hazards news, 1 December 2007