Archive

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Med. Pr. 2005;56(4)

Occupational exposure to biological agents and the protection of exposed workers according to the new legal regulations

Zawodowa ekspozycja na czynniki biologiczne i ochrona narażonych na nie pracowników w świetle nowych przepisów prawnych

Katarzyna Zielińska-Jankiewicz, Anna Kozajda, Irena Szadkowska-Stańczyk Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine Łódź, Poland

Abstract

Directive 2000/54/EC deals thoroughly with issues referring to the protection of workers from risks related to occupational exposure to biological agents in the European Union. The ordinance of the Minister of Health on harmful biological agents at workand the protection of exposed workers implements its content into Polish legislation. This paper reviews essential records of the ordinance: definition of biological agents; classification of biological agents into four risk groups according to their level of risk of infection; employers' obligations concerning the protection of workers exposed to biological agents. The results of Phare project supporting implementation of the directive in Poland regarding distribution of information on occupational exposure tobiological agents among State Sanitary Inspection and occupational medicine service staff and employers are also presented.

Key words

biological agents, occupational exposure, legal basis, workers' protection