Legislative developments in exposure to carcinogens at work
This year 2020 ends with the publication in the Official State Gazette on December 23 of Royal Decree 1154/2020 of December 22, which modifies Royal Decree 665/1997, of May 12, on protection of workers against the risks related to exposure to carcinogens during work.
The standard consists of an article, a repealing provision, and three final provisions and is presented with the objective of increasing the level of protection of the health and safety of workers since the implementation of limit values for certain carcinogenic or mutagenic agents will contribute to significantly reducing the risks derived from these exposures.
In its sole article, articles 6 and 9, annexes I and III are modified, as well as the title of the single additional provision is modified and a new additional provision is included to Royal Decree 665/1997 of May 12. The purpose of the modification of article 6 is to specify that, to guarantee the health and safety of workers, the time necessary for personal hygiene must be dedicated to the intended purposes, while the modification of article 9 includes a generic reference on the regulations for the protection of personal data.
In Annex I, work that involves exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust generated in a work process is added to the list of substances, mixtures and procedures. In relation to this, it is indicated that the National Silicosis Institute will proceed to develop a guide for the prevention of risk due to exposure to respirable crystalline silica in the workplace, in collaboration with the INSST.
In the new Annex III, agents such as chromium compounds, benzene, refractory ceramic fibers or respirable crystalline silica dust are included with their corresponding limit value. Regarding agents such as vinyl chloride monomer and hardwood dust, which already had their corresponding limit values in the 1997 regulations, new values are established in accordance with the directive that is now transposed, including a transitional period in the case of hardwood dust.
Safety at work
At Fraternidad-Muprespa we work to disseminate a culture of prevention with the aim of reducing the accident rate of our mutual partners, which is why we encourage you to that you know our web portal dedicated to the prevention of occupational risks and development of the culture of health Previene where you can find interesting informative material with entertaining and specialized.
