Publication tagged with "Biological agents"

Risk assessment and management of biological agents in workplaces is a legal requirement, but the process may be complicated because of the diversity of such agents, as they have unique properties which differentiate them from other dangerous substances. These include infectiousness, delayed effects through incubation, and an ability for self-multiplication. There is a lack of standardised measurement methods and there are generally no established occupational exposure limits for biological agents.

This article gives a general overview of the sources and occurrence of exposure to biological agents in workplaces, and of the health effects of such exposures. Furthermore, it introduces the legislation, and discusses general measures that may be applied to control and prevent exposure for these agents in the workplace.

Biological agents such as microorganisms are omnipresent and in many cases useful as well. Without them we would not survive – for some of them form a protective film on our skin, while others are responsible for the working of our digestive system. So it is not surprising that microorganisms also occur and are put to use in the working environment, such as in the food and beverages industry (lactic acid bacteria, baking and brewing yeast). Other branches of industry also resort to microorganisms: bacteria, fungi and the like form the basic substances of biotechnology; the pharmaceutical industry uses them for the production of antibiotics; and biotechnologically produced enzymes are firmly established in the detergent and cleaning agent industry.  A large number of biological agents are also intentionally used or arise incidentally in science and research as well as in biotechnology and keeping of experimental animals. In the health service, veterinary medicine, agriculture and forestry, in cleaning and refurbishment activities, waste water and solid waste management, and in abattoirs, they can also be encountered – and risks may arise as well. For biological agents also include numerous bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites that are capable of causing infectious diseases and other health problems in humans. The biological agents arising at the workplace therefore have to be included in the risk assessment. The risk assessment is the central element of occupational safety and health and the basis for systematic and effective safety and health protection in the everyday working environment.