Cover -- Contents -- Acknowledgements -- INTRODUCTION: HAZARDS, RISKS AND LIMITS -- Hazardous Substances -- A Defining Concern of Occupational Health and Safety -- Why Focus on OELs? -- The Countries -- The Structure of the Book -- THE PROBLEM OF CHEMICAL RISKS -- Introduction -- Chemicals at Work in the EU -- Mortality, Morbidity and Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Substances in Europe -- Issues for the Role of OELs in Managing Work With Chemical Risks -- What are Occupational Exposure Limits and How Have They Developed? -- The Meaning and Use of Exposure limits -- New Directions in Regulating Risk Management of Hazardous Substances and the Role of OELs -- Conclusions: But What About Using OELs? -- EXPOSURE LIMITS AND INSTITUTIONAL STRUCTURES FOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE REGULATION IN THE EUROPEAN UNION -- Introduction -- EU Legislative Frameworks for Minimising Health and Safety Risks of Dangerous Substances -- Requirements Regulating Chemical Risks Generally in the EU -- European Legislation With A Special Focus On Protecting Workers from the Risks Arising from Hazardous Chemicals -- OEL Setting at the European Level -- Effectiveness of the Existing Legislation and the Future Approach at Community Level -- REACH and Worker Protection -- Conclusion -- SYSTEMS FOR SETTING AND USING OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMITS IN EU 15 COUNTRIES -- Introduction -- Regulatory Systems and Responsible Bodies -- Implementing EU Requirements in EU 15 Member States -- Occupational Exposure Limit Values in the EU 15 Countries -- Procedures for Setting OELs -- Enforcement and Surveillance of Compliance with OELs in EU 15 Countries -- Austria -- Belgium -- Denmark -- Finland -- France -- Germany -- Greece -- Ireland -- Italy -- Luxembourg -- Portugal -- Spain -- Sweden -- The Netherlands -- United Kingdom -- Conclusions -- THE UNITED KINGDOM -- Introduction -- Background: Legislative Reforms from the 1970s -- Regulating Risk Management of Hazardous Chemicals -- Using OELs at the Workplace -- New Approaches to Chemical Controls: A New Role for OELs? -- OELs and COSHH Essentials in Practice -- Summary of WEL Setting Procedures (After HSC 2003) -- Conclusions: Applying the New Framework in Practice -- GERMANY -- Introduction -- The Background -- The Extent of the Problem of Chemical Exposure in Germany -- Regulating Chemical Risks -- The Germany Health and Safety System in Outline -- The Legislative Framework for OELs -- Wood Dust -- Toluene -- Discussion: The role of OELs in Monitoring Compliance with Requirements to Manage the Use of Chemicals Safely -- GREECE -- Introduction -- The Regulatory Infrastructure -- Setting Exposure Limits -- The Role of OELs in Achieving Compliance -- in Theory -- The Role of OELs in Regulating the Management of Risk in Practice -- Challenges for Regulating the Management of Chemical Risks in Greece -- Enhancing Competence in Relation to Hazardous Substances -- Qualifications of Safety Engineer -- Sector Specific Experience of Wood Dust and Toluene -- Conclusions: The Limited Role of OELs in Controlling Risks of
Summary
A study of strategic approaches to managing the risks of working with hazardous substances in Europe
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 367-377) and index
