Proposed changes to hard wood dust exposure limits from 5 mg/m3 TWA 8-hr to 3 mg/m3 TWA 8-hr.
In 2017, Council’s Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) approved a provisional agreement reached with the European Parliament on the directive protecting workers from exposure to carcinogens or mutagens in the workplace.
In addition to those covered in the 2004 directive, the proposal is to set exposure limits for an additional eleven carcinogens in addition to those covered by the existing 2004 directive. The directive also revises the hardwood dust WEL.
Main proposed changes are:
• Hardwood Dust: there will be an exposure limit value reduction of the current 5 mg/m3. This will be 3 mg/m3 for 5 years after the entry into force of the directive and thereafter a limit of 2 mg/m3.
• Mixed exposure Hardwood & Softwood: a mixture is generally present in most workplaces and so it is recommended that if hard wood is present, the lower limit value should apply.
For more info please contact Validate Consulting…….