Biological agents and pandemics: review of the literature and national policies

The biological risks related to pandemics and epidemics can affect the health of many workers, particularly in specific occupations such as workers in health care, transport services or animal breeding, and workers who contribute to contingency measures when outbreaks occur. This working paper describes the main biological risks related to pandemics and major disease outbreaks, and presents policies and practices in EU Member States in relation to how occupational safety and health (OSH) is included in the assessment, recognition, recording and prevention of major disease outbreaks and pandemics. It also contains some case studies to highlight specific occupations and biological agents, and explain how OSH policies and practices are integrated.