No C 164/4 Official Journal of the European Communities 2.7.86 
II 
(Preparatory Acts) 
COMMISSION 
Proposal for a Council Directive amending Directive 80/1107/EEC on the protection of 
workers from the risks related to exposure to chemical, physical and biological agents at work 
COM(86) 296 final 
(Submitted by the Commission to the Council on 9 June 1986) 
(86/C 164/04) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 100 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
Having regard to the opinion of the European 
Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee, 
Whereas for improved protection of workers with 
respect to chemical, physical and biological agents at 
work, it is necessary to strengthen the provisions 
contained in Council Directive 80/1107/EEC (J); 
Whereas the Council resolution of 27 February 1984 on 
a second programme of action of the European 
Communities on safety and health at work (2), provides 
for the harmonization of provisions and measures 
regarding the protection of workers with respect to 
chemical, physical and biological agents; whereas efforts 
must therefore be made towards approximation, while 
the improvement is being maintained, of relevant laws, 
regulations and administrative provisions of the Member 
States in accordance with Article 117 of the Treaty; 
Whereas certain differences are revealed by an exam­
ination of the measures taken by Member States to 
protect workers from the risks related to exposure to 
chemical, physical and biological agents at work; 
whereas therefore, in the interests of balanced 
development, these measures, which directly affect the 
C) OJ No L 327, 3. 12. 1980, p. 8. 
(2) OJNoC67, 8. 3.1984, p. 2. functioning of the common market, should be approx­
imated and improved; whereas this approximation and 
improvement should be based on common principles; 
Whereas the said protection should as far as possible be 
ensured by measures to prevent exposure or keep it at as 
low a level as in reasonably practicable; 
Whereas to this end it is appropriate that the Members 
should, when they adopt provisions in this field, comply 
with a set of requirements including in particular the 
laying down of limit values; whereas an initial list of 
limit values for agents is to be adopted in this Directive; 
Whereas for certain agents the limit values together with 
other specific requirements will be laid down in 
individual Directives; 
Whereas representatives of employers and workers have 
a role to play in the protection of workers, 
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 
Article 1 
Directive 80/1107/EEC is hereby amended as follows: 
1. Article 2 is replaced by the following: 
Article 2 
For the purposes of this Directive: 
(a) agent means any chemical, physical or biological 
agent present at work and likely to be harmful to 
health; 
(b) dust means airborne solid particles that have a size 
range of 0,1 to 25 micrometres in diameter, and 
which is produced by a physical process involving 
solid materials; 
2. 7. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 164/5 
(c) fume means airborne solid particles that have a 
size range of 0,01 to 5 micrometres, and which is 
produced by the condensation of an agent from 
the gaseous state; 
(d) gas means any aeriform fluid that can be changed 
to a liquid or solid state only by the combined 
effect of increased pressure and decreased 
temperature. It consists of molecules; 
(e) limit value means the exposure limit or biological 
indicator limit in the appropriate medium, 
depending on the agent; 
(f) mist means suspended liquid droplets which are 
produced when there is condensation of an agent 
from the gaseous to the liquid state, or by the 
dispersion of a liquid; 
(g) vapour means the gaseous form of an agent which 
is at normal temperature and pressure usually in a 
liquid or solid state. It can be entirely condensed 
to these states by either increasing the pressure 
and/or decreasing the temperature. It consists of 
molecules; 
(h) worker means any employed person exposed or 
likely to be exposed to such agents at work.' 
2. Article 4 is amended as follows: 
Point 4 is replaced by the following: 
'4. (a) In the case of any activity likely to involve a 
risk of exposure to any of the agents listed in 
Annex IV, an assessment of this risk must be 
made in such a way as to determine the nature 
and degree of the workers' exposure; 
(b) If the assessment shows that the concentration 
of the agent, in the absence of any individual 
protective equipment, is liable to exceed one-
fifth of the limit value, measurements shall be 
carried out in accordance with the reference 
method described in Annex V, or any other 
method giving equivalent results; 
(c) For all the activities referred to in sub­
paragraph (a), workers' exposure must be 
reduced to as low a level as is reasonably 
practicable by means other than by the 
provision of individual protective equipment; 
(d) When a limit value laid down in Annex IV is 
exceeded, the reasons for the limit being 
exceeded must be identified and appropriate 
measures to remedy the situation must be 
taken as soon as possible; (e) A new assessment shall be made where: 
— there is reason to believe that the previous 
assessment is incorrect, or 
— there is a material change in the work to 
which the assessment relates; 
(f) Appropriate measures shall be taken to ensure 
that workers and their representatives in 
undertakings or establishments, can check the 
application of these provisions.' 
Point 9 is replaced by the following: 
'9. Appropriate measures shall be taken by the 
employer to ensure that workers and their repre­
sentatives in undertakings or establishments 
receive adequate information on the agents listed 
in Annex IV concerning: 
(a) potential risks to their health and safety; 
(b) risk assessment procedures used in accordance 
with point 4 (a) and (b), the existence of a 
limit value and the need to carry out 
measurements; 
(c) hygiene requirements; 
(d) wearing and use of protective clothing and 
equipment; 
(e) training of workers, especially rescue workers, 
in case of incidents.' 
3. The following is added to Annex III: 
'9. Scientific evaluation of the data used to establish 
occupational exposure limit values in so far as this 
has no effect on the quantitative significance of 
these limit values.' 
4. Annexes I and II to this Directive are added as 
Annexes IV and V respectively. 
Article 2 
1. Member States shall adopt the laws, regulations 
and administrative provisions necessary to comply with 
this Directive before 1 January 1988. They shall 
forthwith inform the Commission thereof. 
2. Member States shall communicate to the 
Commission the provisions of national law which they 
adopt in the field covered by this Directive. 
Article 3 
This Directive is addressed to the Member States. 
No C 164/6 Official Journal of the European Communities 2. 7. 86 
ANNEX I 
'Annex IV to Directive 80/1107/EEC 
LIST OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE LIMIT VALUES 
(to which reference is made in Article 1, points 3.1. a), 3.1. d), and 3.2) 
CAS (') No 
of agent 
64-19-7 
108-24-7 
67-64-1 
75-05-8 
50-78-2 
7429-90-5 
7664-41-7 
628-63-7 
7440-39-3 
7726-95-6 
1305-62-0 
1305-78-8 
1333-86-4 
124-38-9 
630-08-0 
7782-50-5 
108-90-7 
7440-50-8 
7440-50-8 
1319-77-3 
420-04-2 
151-50-8 
143-33-9 
110-82-7 
108-93-0 
108-94-1 
94-75-7 
333-41-5 
109-89-7 
60-29-7 
64-17-5 
141-43-5 
141-78-6 
107-21-1 
107-21-1 
107-15-3 
64-18-6 
56-81-5 
142-82-5 
110-54-3 
10035-10-6 
7647-01-0 
7664-39-3 
7722-84-1 
7783-06-4 
123-31-9 
7553-56-2 
1309-37-1 
1309-37-1 Name of agent 
Acetic acid 
Acetic anhydride 
Acetone 
Acetonitrile 
Acetyl salicylic acid 
Aluminium metal and oxide 
Ammonia 
n-Amyl acetate 
Barium soluble compounds (Ba) 
Bromine 
Calcium hydroxide 
Calcium oxide 
Carbon black 
Carbon dioxide 
Carbon monoxide 
Chlorine 
Chlorobenzene 
Copper dusts and mists 
Copper fumes 
Cresol (all isomers) 
Cyanamide 
Cyanides (as CN) 
Cyclohexane 
Cyclohexanol 
Cyclohexanone 
2,4-D 
Diazinon 
Diethylamine 
Diethyl ether 
Ethanol 
Ethanolamine 
Ethyl acetate 
Ethylene glycol (particulate) 
Ethylene glycol (vapour) 
Ethylenediamine 
Formic acid 
Glycerol (mist) 
n-Heptane 
n-Hexane 
Hydrogen bromide 
Hydrogen chloride 
Hydrogen fluoride 
Hydrogen peroxide 
Hydrogen sulphide 
Hydroquinone 
Iodine 
Iron oxide (fume) 
Iron salts (as Fe) Formula 
CH3COOH 
(CH3CO)20 
CH3COCH3 
C2H3N 
CH3COOQH4COOH 
Al; A1203 
NH3 
CH3COOC5Hn 
Ba 
Br2 
Ca(OH)2 
CaO 
C 
co2 
CO 
Cl2 
QH5CI 
Cu 
Cu 
CH3QH4OH 
H2NC = N 
CN 
QH]2 
C6HuOH 
C6H10O 
C6H3Cl2OCH2COOH 
C12H21N203PS 
(C2H5)2NH 
C2H5OC2H3 
C2H5OH 
NH2CH2CH2OH 
CH3COOQH5 
CH2OHCH2OH 
CH2OHCH2OH 
NH2CH2CH2NH2 
HCOOH 
CH2OHCHOHCH2OH 
C/Hi6 
C6H14 
HBr 
HO 
HF 
H202 
H2S 
C6H4(OH)2 
I2 
Fe203 
Fe Limit value 
time weighted 
over 8 hours 
25 
20 
2 400 
70 
5 
10 
18 
530 
0,5 
0,7 
5 
5 
3,5 
9 000 
55 
3 
350 
1 
0,2 
22 
2 
5 
1 050 
200 
200 
10 
0,1 
75 
1 200 
1 900 
8 
1 400 
10 
250 
25 
9 
10 ' 
1 600 
360 
10 
7 
2 
1,4 
15 
2 
1 
5 
1 Excursion 
limit value 
125 
20 
12 000 
350 
25 
50 
90 
2 650 
2,5 
3,5 
25 
25 
17,5 
45 000 
275 
15 
1 750 
5 
1 
110 
10 
5 
5 250 
1 000 
1 000 
50 
0,5 
375 
6 000 
9 500 
40 
7 000 
50 
1 250 
125 
45 
50 
8 000 
1 800 
10 
7 
10 
7 
75 
10 
1 
25 
5 
(') Number in the register of the Chemical Abstract Service (CAS). 
2. 7. 86 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 164/7 
CAS (') No 
of agent 
7580-67-8 
1309-48-4 
7439-96-5 
67-56-1 
91-20-3 
54-11-5 
7697-37-2 
98-95-3 
10102-44-0 
10102-43-9 
144-62-7 
10028-15-6 
108-95-2 
7664-38-2 
7723-14-0 
10025-87-3 
10026-13-8 
1314-80-3 
1314-56-3 
7719-12-2 
88-89-1 
7440-06-4 
7440-06-4 
1310-58-3 
8003-34-7 
110-86-1 
14808-60-7 
108-46-3 
7631-86-9 
7631-86-9 
60676-86-0 
7440-21-3 
409-21-2 
7803-62-5 
7440-22-4 
7440-22-4 
1310-73-2 
57-50-1 
7446-09-5 
7664-93-9 
14807-96-6 
14807-96-6 
109-99-9 
7440-31-5 
13463-67-7 
108-88-3 
76-03-9 
8006-64-2 
81-81-2 
1330-20-7 
7646-85-7 
1314-13-2 Name of agent 
Lithium hydride 
Magnesium oxide fume (as Mg) 
Manganese compounds (as Mn) 
Methanol 
Naphtalene 
Nicotine 
Nitric acid 
Nitrobenzene 
Nitrogen dioxide 
Nitrogen monoxide 
Oxalic acid 
Ozone 
Phenol 
Phosphoric acid 
Phosphorus yellow 
Phosphorus oxychloride 
Phosphorus pentachloride 
Phosphorus pentasulphide 
Phosphorus pentoxide 
Phosphorus trichloride 
Picric acid 
Platinum (metal) 
Platinum (soluble salts) 
Potassium hydroxide 
Pyrethrum 
Pyridine 
Quartz respirable 
Resorcinol 
Silica amorphous 
Silica amorphous respirable 
< 5 urn in size 
Silica fused 
Silicon < 1 % quartz 
Silicon carbide «S 1 % quartz 
Silico tetrahydride 
Silver metal (as Ag) 
Silver soluble compounds (as Ag) 
Sodium hydroxide 
Sucrose 
Sulphur dioxide 
Sulphuric acid 
Taic non asbestiform total dust 
Talc non asbestiform respirable 
Tetrahydrofuran 
Tin inorganic compounds (as Sn) 
Titanium dioxide 
Toluene 
Trichloroacetic acid 
Turpentine 
Warfarin 
Xylene (all isomers) 
Zinc chloride fume 
Zinc oxide fume Formula 
LiH 
MgO 
Mn 
CH3OH 
C!0Hg 
C10H14N2 
HNO3 
C6H5N02 
N02 
NO 
COOHCOOH 
O3 
C6H5OH 
H3PO4 
P4 
POCI3 
PCI5 
P2S5 
P2O5 
PCI3 
HOC6H2(N02)3 
Pt 
Pt 
KOH 
C21H2803 
C5H5N 
Si02 
C6H4(OH)2 
Si02 
Si02 
Si02 
Si 
SiC 
SiH4 
Ag 
Ag 
NaOH 
Ci2H22On 
so2 
H2S04 
— 
(C2H4)20 
Sn 
Ti02 
C6H5CH3 
CCI3COOH 
Ci0H16 
Ci9H1604 
C6H4(CH3)2 
ZnCl2 
ZnO Limit value 
time weighted 
over 8 hours 
0,025 
10 
5 
260 
50 
0,5 
5 
5 
9 
30 
1 
0,2 
19 
1 
0,1 
3 
1 
1 
1 
3 
0,1 
1 
0,002 
2 
5 
15 
0,1 
45 
6 
3 
0,3 
10 
10 
0,7 
0,01 
0,01 
2 
10 
5 
1 
10 
1 
590 
2 
6 
375 
1 
560 
0,1 
435 
1 
5 Excursion 
limit value 
0,125 
50 
5 
1 300 
250 
2,5 
25 
25 
45 
150 
5 
1 
95 
5 
0,5 
15 
5 
5 
5 
15 
0,5 
5 
0,01 
2 
25 
75 
0,5 
225 
30 
15 
1,5 
50 
50 
3,5 
0,05 
0,05 
2 
50 
25 
5 
50 
5 
2 950 
10 
30 
1 875 
5 
2 800 
0,5 
2 175 
5 
25 
(') Number in the register of the Chemical Abstract Service (CAS).' 
No C 164/8 Official Journal of the European Communities 2.7.86 
ANNEX II 
'Annex V to Directive 80/1107/EEC 
Reference method referred to in Article 4 point 4 for the measurement of workers' exposure to the agents 
listed in Annex I 
1. Employers shall have adequate monitoring procedures suitable for measuring regular, occasional or 
infrequent exposure such that sampling is representative of the personal exposure of workers, and such 
sampling shall be carried out by suitably experienced personnel. 
2. Where groups of workers are performing identical or similar tasks at the same place and are thus being 
exposed to the same health risk, sampling may be carried out on a group basis, such that it is 
representative of the group. 
3. Workers' exposure shall be measured as a general rule every three months and, in any case, whenever a 
technical change results in increased exposure. 
4. The frequency of measurements may be reduced to once a year where: 
— there is no substantial change in conditions at the place of work, likely to lead to a change of 
workers' exposure, and 
— the results of the two preceding measurements performed at a suitable time interval have not 
exceeded one-third of the limit value laid down in Annex IV to this Directive. 
5. For the analysis of the agents listed in Annex IV to this Directive, the appropriate ISO or European 
Communities method should be used, where such a method exists. 
6. The accuracy of the method shall be such that it has a confidence limit of 95 %. 
7. The method referred to in paragraph 5 of this Annex may be adapted to technical progress in 
accordance with the procedure set out in Article 10 of Directive 80/1107/EEC