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06/12/2007
The European Risk Observatory, a body accountable to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, has published on 26 November a report aimed at identifying emerging biological risks that are most likely to affect workers in the EU.
Despite existing European law, knowledge is still limited and in many workplaces biological risks are poorly assessed and prevented, outlines the report. It emphasises the importance of taking a global and multidisciplinary approach involving occupational safety and health, public health, environmental protection and food safety.
The report has estimated that 5,000 European workers die every year of communicable diseases caused by viral, bacterial, insect or animal related biological hazards. Women are more likely to be concerned than men as they typically work in occupations that involve more biohazards and exposure.
The most emerging risks relate to global epidemics with new contagious pathogens, e.g. 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.
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. Moulds can spread in any indoor workplace due to poorly maintained air-conditioning and can cause asthma and allergies.
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