Biological Hazards
| For more information on Biological Hazards click here for the relevant chapter of the TUC guide to health and safety "Hazards at Work |
Biological hazards are anything of a biological nature with the potential to harm human beings. They include viruses, moulds and bacteria, dangerous plants and animals, or harmful by-products of living things.
Occupations at risk include lab workers, health service staff, agricultural workers, animal workers and sewage and water workers. Diseases include hepatitis, TB, HIV, anthrax, Lyme disease, Q fever, salmonellosis, leptospirosis and tetanus.
The principal legislation that applies is the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 (COSHH). These regulations cover hazardous substances including biological agents (pathogenic microorganisms) and they contain a schedule of special provisions relating to biological agents. COSHH, together with the associated Approved Codes of Practice (ACoP), require employers to assess the risks of exposure to biological agents and either prevent exposure (where reasonably practicable) or control it adequately.
Zoonoses – animal diseases that can be transmitted to humans – are increasingly recognised as work related problems, particularly with recent concern over avian flu and BSE
Links
IFJ/Hazards smallpox and anthrax pages
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 (COSHH)
The most recent documents available on this subject are:
Firms should not panic over flu pandemic
The TUC is warning against an over-reaction from firms on the flu pandemic threat, saying some employers are panicking and taking pointless and disruptive measures.
PDF version available for download
22 June 2007
Pandemic Influenza - advice for unions
The TUC has produced advice for unions on how to deal with the threats posed by a possible outbreak of pandemic influenza.
14 June 2007
Tuberculosis - Guidance for safety representatives
This fact sheet contains information for safety representatives on TB, advice on issues they may face and sources of further inforation
11 June 2007
London seeks to lead Britain in the challenge to secure better health and safety at work
A world class city must have world class workplaces, that means aspiring to and achieving world class standards of health and safety at work – not for some, but for all. And the roadmap for turning that dream into a reality includes there being a health and safety rep in every workplace in London and a positive and meaningful partnership between that rep, the employer, unions and the Health and Safety Executive. Those are the key messages from an event (today) organised by HSE London and the Southern and Eastern Region TUC for more than 200 London based health and safety reps.
19 November 2004
Nanotechnology could be the new asbestos
The latest issue of the TUC backed Hazards magazine has supported today's call from the Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineers for regulation of the booming nanotechnology industry, particularly in the area of workers' safety.
29 July 2004
The contribution of occupational health to public health
A background briefing for Workers Memorial Day 2002 on 28 April, covering information on preventative occupational health services in the workplace; rehabilitation; setting targets for reducing sickness absence; giving safety reps more influence; and making the NHS better at occupational health.
3 April 2002
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