Biological threats in working environment

The European Risk Observatory in its new report identified emerging biological risks in the working environment. Farmers, healthcare workers or people in evolving industries such as waste treatment are particularly affected.

Communicable diseases such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian flu or Dengue are of increasing concern, especially since many workplaces are still being poorly assessed despite existing European law.

Many of the diseases jump the species barrier from animals to humans, workers in contact with livestock are particularly at risk. Tuberculosis and other pathogens have become resistant to known drugs and can result in severe infections in healthcare workers.

It is estimated that 320,000 workers worldwide die of communicable diseases related to biological hazards. Most fatalities occur in developing countries, however 5,000 workers fall victim in the EU.

"Biological risks often remain underestimated although they may be very harmful for EU workers in literally any sector," says Jukka Takala, director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work of which the European Risk Observatory (ERO) is an integral part.

"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 identifies new and increasing biological risks related to occupational safety and stresses the importance of considering all collective responsibilities and means of control, both inside and outside the workplace.

The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work was set up by the European Union to help meet the information needs in the field of occupational safety and health.