Workplace risks: Final vote on protection from carcinogens, including diesel fumes
MEPs will update rules to protect workers from exposure to carcinogenic and mutagenic substances, including diesel fumes, in a vote on Tuesday.
In order to protect some 3.6 million workers in the EU potentially exposed to diesel engine exhaust emissions (DEEE), the Parliament succeeded in including diesel fumes in the scope of the new rules and in setting the corresponding exposure limit value.
The new provisions set exposure limit values (maximum amount of substance allowed in workplace air) and skin notations (the possibility of significantly absorbing the substance through the skin) for eight additional carcinogens (including DEEE). The new rules should further lower the risk for workers of getting cancer, which remains the primary cause of work-related deaths across the EU.
Background
Substances added to the list of carcinogens:
- Diesel engine exhaust emissions (DEEE)
- Epichlorohydrine
- Ethylene dibromide
- Ethylene dichloride
- 4,4'-Methylenedianiline
- Trichloroethylene
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons mixtures, particularly those containing benzo[a]pyrene
- Mineral oils that have been used before in internal combustion engines to lubricate and cool the moving parts within the engine.
Procedure: ordinary legislative procedure, first reading agreement
Debate: Monday, 10 December
Vote: Tuesday, 11 December