Protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work

It affects workers exposed to hazardous substances, including welders, firefighters, foundry and metallurgy workers, coking-plant workers, and employees handling cobalt, PAHs or 1,4-dioxane. Employers in those sectors must meet stricter exposure controls.

• Adds certain welding fumes to the carcinogens, mutagens and reprotoxic substances workplace regime.
• Sets EU exposure limits for cobalt and inorganic cobalt compounds, with sensitisation notations.
• Sets an EU exposure limit for PAH mixtures, measured as benzo[a]pyrene, retaining skin notation.
• Sets exposure and biological limit values for 1,4-dioxane, including short-term and skin-uptake controls.

Takes effect

The directive enters into force on the twentieth day after publication in the Official Journal.

Transitional law

Six-year transitional exposure limits apply for cobalt compounds, and for PAH mixtures in specified sectors.

• Directive 2004/37/EC (32004L0037)
  • art. Annex I: adds welding fumes to list of substances, mixtures and processes
  • art. Annex III: adds or revises limit values and notations for cobalt compounds, PAHs, 1,4-dioxane and mercury entry
  • art. Annex IIIa: adds biological limit value for 1,4-dioxane