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Dangerous substances include any liquid, gas or solid, chemical or biological, that poses a risk to workers' health or safety. This section of the web feature covers chemicals.

Chemicals in agriculture

• Introduction
• Legislation
• Assessment
• Prevention and controlling risks
• Monitoring
• Further information

Introduction

Dangerous substances are found in many workplaces. A recent survey found that 16% of workers in Europe reported handling hazardous products and 22% being exposed to toxic vapours. Many workers in agriculture may be exposed to chemicals at work, such as pesticides, vetinarary drugs, solvents, and oils.

The cost of ill health from exposure to dangerous substances is very high. For example, occupational skin diseases are estimated to cost the EU EUR 600 million each year, resulting in around 3 million lost working days, in the 15 Member States of the EU, in 2000, alone.

Dangerous substances can cause many different types of harm, from a single short exposure or by the long-term accumulation of substances in the body, including:

• cancer;
• the ability to reproduce or cause birth defects;
• brain damage;
• harm to the nervous system;
• asthma; and
• skin problems.

Under European Legislation, employers should protect the health and safety of workers by:

• assessing the risk, reviewing the assessment when necessary;
• removing the risk; or when this is not possible
• reducing the risk; and
• monitoring to ensure that the control measures continue to be effective.

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Legislation

European legislation aims to minimise the health risks from dangerous substances in the workplace. European Union law places elimination and substitution at the top of the hierarchy of control measures for protecting workers from dangerous substances.

The most important pieces of European legislation in this field are Regulations on the:

• Protection of workers
• from the risks related to chemical agents , and
• carcinogens (including asbestos or wood dust)

There is also legislation on the classification and labelling of dangerous substances, requiring proper labelling and information provision by producers and suppliers

European Directives are transferred into national legislation. Member States are entitled to include some additional or more stringent provisions for the protection of workers, such as restrictions on use of some work processes or lower limit values. The Directives only lay down minimum requirements. It is therefore strongly recommended that you seek clarification of specific national legislation that may apply relating to the use of dangerous substances in the workplace.

It is important to be aware that these regulations on issues such as risk assessment, technical measures and exposure limits also apply to the dangerous substances generated by the work procedures used, examples of which are wood dust or welding fumes.

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Risk assessment

Risk assessment is a requirement under European legislation enacted in all Member States. Risk assessment means identifying what may cause harm so that preventive measures can be taken. Proper risk assessment is the basis for successful risk management.

A four-step approach to risk assessment

• Make an inventory of the substances used in the processes in the workplace and those generated by the process such as welding fumes or wood dust. Assess substances used at work including any new substances introduced.
• Collect information about these substances, i.e. the harm they can do and how this can happen. Safety data sheets (SDS), which must be provided by the supplier of a chemical, are an important source of information.
• Assess exposure to the identified dangerous substances, looking at the type, intensity, length, frequency and occurrence of exposure to workers, including combined effects of dangerous substances used together and the related risk.
• Rank the severity of the established risks. This list can then be used to draw up an action plan to protect workers.

It is important to include in the assessment foreseeable incidents and maintenance work and plan for measures to be taken in these circumstances, including first aid.

Where to get information on dangerous substances

An inventory of dangerous substances must be made when assessing the risks. It will also give indications for priorities to be taken on elimination and substitution, by making it possible to compare the data related to the substances used, i.e. the amount, process, number of workers exposed, results of workplace measurements or estimation of exposure and classification of the substances. The priorities for substitution identified in the risk assessment should be reviewed regularly and when there is a change in the work process.

Information on dangerous substances can come from a number of sources. One of the easiest, although preliminary, ways to compare potential dangers from substances is to look at the classification and labelling information. It should be in the safety data sheets supplied with the chemical. For substances where safety data sheets are not available, information will be available from supplier sources (technical documents, instructions for use). For some products, such as pharmaceuticals (e.g. cytostatic drugs), safety data sheets do not have to be provided by suppliers.

The risk assessment should be reviewed when there are changes in the work procedure, when new chemicals are introduced or a process is adapted, in case of accidents and health impairments and in any case on a periodic basis to ensure that its findings are still current.

Occupational exposure limits

Occupational exposure limits (OELs) for hazardous substances provide important information for risk assessment and management. However, OELs have only been set for a limited number of the substances currently used in the workplace. Binding and indicative limit values are laid down in European Directives.

Each Member State in the European Union establishes their own national OELs, usually including more substances than the directive. National OELs can be binding (which means that they must be met), or indicative limits (as an indication of what should be achieved). The employer shall ensure that the exposure of the workers does not exceed the national limits. For more detail, see the Agency information on Occupational exposure limits.

Lists of occupational exposure limits also provide indications of sensitising potential, and the potential to penetrate the skin, the “skin notation”. Very small amounts of a substance, which can be far below the concentration limits for labelling and the occupational exposure limit, can provoke an allergic reaction in sensitive persons.

Labelling of chemicals

If a chemical substance or product is classified as dangerous, the manufacturer or the importer must put a danger label on the packaging with information about:

• the name or trade name of the substance or product and the name and address of the person responsible for placing it on the market;
• name(s) of the dangerous contents that lead to the danger classification;
• EC registry numbers for substances, for example the Einecs or Elincs number;
• standardised indications of danger, danger symbols, risk indications (R-phrases) and safety directions (S-phrases).

Provisions are also laid down for preparations containing several dangerous substances which require several symbols and risk phrases.

Risk symbols, risk (R) phrases and safety (S) phrases are indications of the substance’s hazard and of safety measures relating to that substance. Both the R and S phrases are set by the directives of the European Community. They are used in the labelling of the packages and in safety data sheets to warn and guide the use of the dangerous goods and preparations. Risk phrases are standardised presentations of the potential risks of the product in normal handling and use, for example R21 ‘Harmful in contact with skin’. Safety phrases and their combinations explain the preventive measures to be taken, such as S15 ‘Keep away from heat’.

For workplace use, extensive and standardised additional information has to be given in the safety data sheets regarding health effects, contents of the product, appropriate protection measures and personal protective equipment, that may be required.

Substances that are skin sensitisers should be identified and the exposure assessed. Some chemical skin sensitisers are classified and listed in EU regulations. They are labelled with R-phrases R 43 “May cause sensitisation by skin contact” or R 42/43 “May cause sensitisation by inhalation and skin contact”.

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Preventing and controlling risks

European legislation provides a hierarchy of measures to prevent or reduce the exposure of workers to dangerous substances.

• Elimination
  the best way to reduce the risks connected with dangerous substances is to remove the need to use those substances by changing the process or product in which the substance is used.
• Substitution
  if elimination is not possible, then the substitution, or replacement, of the hazardous substance or the process with one less dangerous under its condition of use is the next best option.
• Control
  where the risks to workers are not prevented, control measures should be implemented to remove or reduce the risks to workers’ health.

Elimination and substitution

Any avoidable exposure to dangerous substances should be eliminated. Changing from one substance to another is a three-stage process:

1) Identify the alternatives: find out all the options available to you. Look for alternative process methods (to remove the need to use a substance entirely) and potential replacement substances (if elimination is not possible). If the substance you wish to replace is used in a widely applied process such as spray-painting or degreasing, then the number of options available is likely to be larger.
2) Compare the alternatives: carry out a risk assessment of all the alternatives, including the substance or process used, and compare your findings. Check relevant national legislation on occupational safety and health, as well as environmental and product safety legislation to ensure that the options are legal and compatible, and ascertain the minimum standards that you have to achieve.
3) Make the decision: take the decision based on the regulatory needs, technological possibilities, potential implications for the quality of the products, costs, including the required investment, and training for use of the new product.

Carcinogenic and mutagenic substances have to be replaced insofar as technically possible! In some Member States this Regulation also applies to substances toxic for reproduction.

Do not forget maintenance procedures and potential hazards due to accidents. A contained substance can present a high risk when released due to an accident.

Changing the process

The need to use a substance, or the production of a waste product (e.g. welding fume) can be removed by changing or avoiding the work process. For example:

• Can the process be changed to one that does not give off dusts, vapours, or fumes?
• Does the process need to be done? (e.g. by purchasing ready mixed products)

Exposure to skin sensitisers can be prevented by changes to the work process, for example by introducing ‘no touch’ techniques by designing material packages in such a way that accidental contact may be avoided.

Changing the substance

If you cannot change the work process, try to eliminate or avoid the exposure for substances that:

• increase fire and explosion risks;
• leads to high exposure of workers;
• results in exposure to many workers;
• are volatile, e.g., organic solvents;
• are dispersed in the air (aerosols, dust);
• cause acute health risks, e.g., poisons, corrosives and irritants;
• cause chronic health risks, such as allergens, substances toxic for reproduction and others;
• are covered by specific national regulations imposing restrictions of use in the workplace;
• have already caused problems in your enterprise (health problems, accidents or other incidents);
• cause occupational diseases;
• make regular health monitoring (medical examination of workers) necessary;
• can be absorbed through the skin;
• or substances for which the use of personal protective equipment impairing workers (e.g. inhalation protection) is necessary.

Benefits from substitution

Eliminating the use of a dangerous substance or changing to one less hazardous benefits everyone involved in the process. Elimination or substitution can lead to:

• improved immediate and long-term health of the workers exposed to the dangerous substance;
• reduced pollution of the environment;
• reduced costs to the enterprise by:
  • lowering sickness absence;
  • spending less on control measures;
  • reduced cost in compliance with environmental legislation;
  • saving money on fire and explosion protection;

and possible:

• lower consumption of a product;
• using cheaper materials;
• more efficient work processes.

Sensitisers

Sensitising agents can cause allergic sensitisation in concentrations below the conventionally set occupational exposure limit values. Even very low exposure to sensitisers may lead to allergic respiratory symptoms in workers already sensitised. For these reasons, sensitisers should be substituted where possible.

Control

If elimination or substitution is not possible, the following control hierarchy should be followed when elimination and substitution is not possible:

• Design work processes and controls, and use adequate equipment and materials to reduce the release of dangerous substances, for example by enclosure of the emitting process or providing local exhaust ventilation (LEV).
• Apply collective protection measures at the source of the risk, such as ventilation and appropriate organisational measures such as minimising the number of exposed workers and the duration and intensiveness of the exposure;.
• Apply individual protection measures including personal protective equipment where exposure cannot be prevented by other means.

Minimise the exposure concentration, time, frequency and number of workers exposed. Decide whether existing precautions are adequate or if more should be done. Investigate whether model instructions and guidelines are available. If work practices are changed, changes of exposure should be evaluated.

Managing emissions at the source

Managing emissions at source is the best way to control exposure. Include systematic dust and aerosol prevention by:

• modifying the working process. Avoid work procedures producing dusts, aerosols or vapours;
• using substances in a less hazardous form e.g. as pellets or pastes instead of powders or liquids;
• using closed systems for filling and transferring e.g. powdery substances or fibres;
• controlling exposure with effective encapsulations, local exhaust ventilation(LEV), fume hoods, general ventilation, splash guards, screens, and other workplace arrangements;
• drawing up a maintenance and cleaning plan including intervals, cleaning methods and devices. Use wet methods or vacuum cleaners instead of brooms.

Personal Protective Equipment

Personal respiratory protective devices should be used in addition to other practicable control measures if exposure cannot be otherwise prevented. It has to comply with EU regulations.

• Select the most suitable protective device for each work task or exposure. Refer to the producer’s guidance for appropriate choice
• Respirators should only be used by one worker and not be shared.
• In regular use, the device should be kept in good condition, cleaned after use, filters changed as appropriate and the device checked for technical or other damage.
• Make sure equipment for personal use, such as gloves, is carefully selected, worn, maintained and replaced.
• General selection guides for gloves and clothing are available.
• Protective gloves and boots can cause allergies themselves, especially when made of latex rubber or leather tanned with chromium-containing substances. Avoid their use.
• Lay down written procedures for regular cleaning, disinfecting, storing, inspection, repairing, discarding and maintaining respirators.

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Monitoring and review

Once a control measure has been implemented in the process, its effectiveness should be monitored. Regular evaluation of the situation is needed to detect slowly deteriorating situations (e.g. reduced effectiveness of ventilation systems) and changes in the work practices.

For workers likely to be exposed to carcinogens and mutagens or certain biological agents, employers have to keep records including information about exposure and health surveillance. Workers have to be provided with access to their personal data. These requirements have been implemented by national legislation.

Monitor exposure and health problems regularly and re-assess, especially if the working methods are changed. In case of respiratory symptoms that could be related to work, medical examinations should be performed. Record the findings. Any skin disorder which is suspected to be associated with work should be reported immediately and a medical examination performed. Fellow workers who do the same job may also have similar skin problems.

Training

Training workers on the basis of risk assessment for safe work practices is an important part of risk management. Trained workers can not only work more efficiently, but can also work safer and with less risk to their health. The risk posed by a substance is determined by two factors, the substance’s characteristics and the degree of exposure. By training workers they should be aware of what the risk of exposure is and what they need to do to control their exposure.

Information for workers

Workers should be informed of the risks they face and the preventive measures in place to control those risks. They need to know how to work safely and how to use protective equipment if required.

The employers also have to ensure that the workers and/or their representatives are informed and trained on:

• the hazardous properties of the chemical agents handled;
• the level, type and duration of exposure and the circumstances of work involving such agents;
• appropriate precautions to safeguard themselves and other workers at the workplaces;
• the effect of risk-management procedures taken or to be taken;
• relevant occupational exposure limit values or biological limit values;
• and where available, the conclusions to be drawn from any health surveillance and exposure assessment already undertaken.

Additionally, the employer shall also ensure that the workers are made aware of any changes in these circumstances.

Workers should also know:

• to whom potential health problems should be reported; and
• how to check their skin if exposed to substance that may cause dermatitis or other skin problems.

Checklist for good communication between the employer and the workers

• Is there a list of hazardous substances used or produced in every workplace?
• Is there a safety data sheet readily available for each classified hazardous chemical substance used?
• Has the information from the safety data sheet been translated into workplace instructions that give practical information on how to handle substances in the daily routine?
• Is each container for a hazardous substance (e.g. vats, bottles, storage tanks, etc.) labelled with the identity of the product and appropriate hazard warnings relating to both the physical hazards (e.g. explosion risk) and health hazards?
• Has a risk assessment been carried out and its findings communicated?
• Are workers asked regularly about potential health and safety problems?
• Has all relevant information, instruction and training on the hazardous substances present in the workplace been provided to workers, including the precautions they should take to protect themselves and the other employees?
• Do all employees know:
  • how to make full and proper use of all the control measures provided?
  • to whom they should report problems and defects with any control measures?
  • what they should do in the event of an accident, incident or emergency involving hazardous substances?

Checklist for workers

• Do you know about the findings of your employer’s risk assessment?
• Do you know what hazards you are being exposed to?
• Do you know how you may be affected?
• Do you know what you have to do to keep yourself and others safe (i.e. how the risks are to be controlled)?
• Do you know how to check and spot when things are wrong, and to whom you should report any problems?
• Do you know about the results of any exposure monitoring or health surveillance?
• Do you know about preventive measures to be taken in case of maintenance work?
• Do you know about first aid and emergency procedures?

Sensitisers

Sensitisers are substances that cause allergic reactions. EU Directives list sensitising substances. The respiratory sensitisers have to be labelled with the R-phrases R42 “May cause sensitisation by inhalation” or R 42/43 “May cause sensitisation by inhalation and skin contact”. They can be divided into two main types:

• Skin sensitisers
• Respiratory sensitisers

Skin sensitisers

Occupational skin problems are caused by contact with certain substances at work. They usually affect the hands and forearms, most likely to touch the substance, but may spread to other parts of the body. Early signs include dryness, redness and itching of the skin. The skin may become swollen, cracked, scaly and thickened and blisters may develop. How quickly a skin reaction develops depends on the strength or potency of the substance and how long and how often it touches the skin. These skin changes often improve when the worker is away from work, such as during weekends and holidays.

Workers regularly exposed to liquids and using water, which can break down the skin’s natural defence barrier, are most at risk. Exposure of the skin to extreme temperature and solar radiation and biological risks also contribute.

In agriculture, animal proteins from urine, and dander are potential skin sensitisers, along with flour, and some vegetables, plants, and spices.

The human immune system is built to defend the body against infectious and other harmful outside invaders. Sensitisation is a specific form of immunisation; such over-reactivity is called allergy. The agents that cause allergy in skin are skin allergens.

There are two different kinds of skin sensitisers, chemicals and proteins in natural materials. Chemical allergy in skin usually develops over time, while protein allergy can occur very quickly. In some cases allergens can cause skin symptoms when inhaled or ingested. It is also possible for skin contact with chemicals to cause respiratory allergic symptoms. Some dangerous substances, e.g. from plants and some pharmaceuticals, may cause photoallergic reactions in combination with exposure to sunlight.

Respiratory sensitisers

Reactions in the airways and lungs of workers breathing in substances and particles at work fall into three main categories:

• Many known diseases, such as asbestosis or silicosis, are caused by fibres and particles being deposited in the respiratory tract.
• Several types of natural and synthetic agents used in workplaces may also cause allergic respiratory diseases, occupational asthma, rhinitis or alveolitis, which have increased constantly over the last years.
• Respiratory irritants, such as environmental tobacco smoke, chlorine, general dust and even cold air, may provoke attacks in those with pre-existing asthma. In this case, the individual does not become sensitised to that specific agent, but the attack is still work-related.

Workers in agriculture may be exposed to these respiratory sensitisers:

• Animal epithelia and urine
• Decorative plants
• Some foodstuff, plants and vegetables (e.g. coffee bean dust, egg proteins, flour and grain dust, fruits, vegetables, fish, seafood, soybean dust, spices)
• Storage mites
• Moulds
• Some wood dusts incl. composite boards
• Textile fibres (e.g. silk during sericulture)

The response of the human immune system against external threats posed by chemical and biological agents may be an allergic reaction in the airways. Symptoms include coughing, tightness of breathing, wheezing and breathlessness, sneezing, runny and blocked nose, itchy and inflamed red eyes, and also fever, muscle and joint aches.

All these diseases have certain common features:

• repeated exposures, either long term low-level or short term peaks, are needed before the disease develops. During this period, no symptoms exist;
• only some of those exposed are affected; and
• when a person has been sensitised, even tiny amounts of the substance and each contact can trigger the symptoms at much lower levels than those that initially caused the hypersensitive state.

Symptoms can develop either immediately after exposure, or several hours later, possibly at night, so that a link with workplace activities is not obvious. They often improve when the worker is away from work, during weekends and holidays.

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Further information

Further information is available through the Agency’s web feature on dangerous substances

Factsheet 33: An introduction to dangerous substances in the workplace

Available in: Español Čeština Dansk Deutsch Eesti Ellinika English Français Italiano Latviešu Lietuvių Magyar Malti Nederlands Polski Português Slovenčina Slovenščina Suomi Svenska

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