NEWS | Wednesday, 09 January 2008

New biological risks at European places of work identified

In its new report the European Risk Observatory (ERO) identified emerging biological risks that are most likely to affect workers in the European Union (EU). Farmers, healthcare workers or people in evolving industries such as waste treatment are particularly concerned. Communicable diseases such as SARS, avian flu or Dengue are of increasing concern.
Despite existing European law, knowledge is still limited and in many workplaces biological risks are poorly assessed and prevented. The report emphasises the importance of taking a global and multidisciplinary approach involving occupational safety and health, public health, environmental protection and food safety.
“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 of which the European Risk Observatory (ERO) is an integral part.
He said: “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 ERO expert forecast identified new and increasing biological risks related to occupational safety and stressed the importance of considering all collective responsibilities and means of control, both inside and outside the workplace.

Communicable diseases threaten EU workers
It is estimated that 320,000 workers worldwide die every year of communicable diseases caused by viral, bacterial, insect or animal related biological hazards.
Although most fatalities occur in developing countries, some 5,000 workers fall victim in the EU. 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, for instance, 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.

Industries with highest risk
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. Moulds can spread in any indoor workplace due to poorly maintained air-conditioning and can cause asthma and allergies.

Second report on emerging risks
The ERO report is the second of a series dedicated to emerging risks. The results of this forecast, together with the three complementary works on physical, chemical and psychosocial risks, are only the first steps in a process of debate and consolidation that forms part of the work programme of the Agency.