1)⚠️ Asbestos: new EU guidelines (EU-OSHA)
Asbestos risk is not “a thing of the past” – especially in renovation and demolition work. EU-OSHA has compiled new EU guidelines that help reduce exposure and improve work organisation.
The materials help a company better to:
• identify asbestos risks (especially in older buildings and structures, repair and maintenance work);
• plan work more safely so that fibres/dust do not spread (work methods, isolation/containment, wet work, ventilation, cleaning);
• review protective measures, incl. work organisation, instruction/training, PPE and safe waste management. https://osha.europa.eu/en/highlights/towards-asbestos-free-europe-new-eu-guidelines-published
2) ☣️ Carcinogens at work: final report of the Workers’ Exposure Survey (EU-OSHA)
EU-OSHA has published the final Workers’ Exposure Survey (WES) report – an evidence-based picture of how widespread workers’ exposure to carcinogenic risk factors is and what this means for prevention.
Under this topic you can get:
• an overview of the results and main conclusions (what to pay attention to in prevention);
• references to which control measures are common and where there may be gaps (e.g. ventilation, process enclosure, substitution, PPE, work instructions);
• an opportunity to go deeper: the report, summaries, technical materials and dataset, if you want to use the topic as a basis for risk assessment or training. https://osha.europa.eu/en/highlights/exposure-carcinogens-work-final-workers-exposure-survey-report-now-available
3) 🌡️ Climate change and occupational safety and health (EU-OSHA topic page)
Heatwaves, UV radiation, poorer air quality and extreme weather conditions increasingly affect the working environment as well. EU-OSHA’s topic page brings together practical recommendations for risk assessment and adapting work organisation.
On the topic page you will find an overview collection, incl.:
• which climate risks at work are most common (e.g. heat/heat stress, UV, air pollution, extreme weather) and who is most affected;
• practical preventive measures in heat (adjusting working time and workload, breaks and shade, fluid intake, cooling solutions, protective clothing) and guidance on what to do if heat illness is suspected;
• references to reports, publications and tools that can be used to update internal rules, trainings or an action plan. https://osha.europa.eu/en/themes/climate-change-and-occupational-safety-and-health
📌 If you are also interested in other occupational safety and health topics, you can find additional materials on the EU-OSHA website (incl. dangerous substances; musculoskeletal disorders; psychosocial risks and mental health; digitalisation of work; micro and small enterprises; healthcare and social care; green jobs; work-related diseases; nanomaterials; management and worker participation; ageing workforce and occupational safety; women and occupational safety; young people and occupational safety; disability and work; integrating occupational safety and health into education; COVID-19 resources for the workplace; the benefits of occupational safety and health).
https://osha.europa.eu/en/themes