|
PURPOSE: to protect workers
from the risks related to exposure to asbestos at work. LEGISLATIVE ACT: Directive
2003/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council
Directive 83/477/EEC on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure
to asbestos at work. CONTENT: The main point of the
Directive is the introduction of a single limit value for the exposure of
workers instead of the two years in the original Directive. It requires
employers to ensure that no worker is exposed to an airborne concentration of
asbestos in excess of 0,1 fibres per cm3 as an eight-hour time-weighted
average (TWA). The Directive applies to the
maritime and air transport sectors, which was not the case under the original
directive. Provisions regarding limited exposures are simplified; a method
for measuring the the asbestos content of air, as well as detecting asbestos
is provided for, as is the training of workers. The Directive also prohibits
activities that expose workers to asbestos fibres during asbestos extraction
or the manufacture or processing of asbestos products (containing
intentionally added asbestos) with the exception of the treatment and disposal
of products resulting from demolition and asbestos removal. The three amendments to the
common position adopted by the European Parliament were incorporated in their
entirety: - appropriate
breaks for workers using individual breathing equipment; - the
introduction of adequate sanctions in the event of breaches of national
legislation based on the Directive; - Member
States should lay down practical guidelines for the determination of sporadic
and low-intensity exposure. It should be noted that the
Directive is linked to the prohibition of the placing on the market of
chrysotile asbestos introduced by Council Directive 276/769/EEC as amended by
Commission Directive 1999/77/EC, with effect from 1 January 2005. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 15/04/2003. TRANSPOSITION: 15/04/2006.
|
