Council Directive 90/679/EEC of 26 November 1990 on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents at work (seventh individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)
Date: 1990-11-26
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: biotechnology, cytology, disease prevention, microorganism, occupational health, occupational safety













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31990L0679

Council Directive 90/679/EEC of 26 November 1990 on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents at work (seventh individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC)  


Official Journal L 374 , 31/12/1990 P. 0001 - 0012 Finnish special edition: Chapter 5 Volume 5 P. 0025  Swedish special edition: Chapter 5 Volume 5 P. 0025  





COUNCIL DIRECTIVEof 26 November  1990on the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to biological agents at work  (seventh individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive  89/391/EEC)(90/679/EEC)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular Article  118a thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), drawn up after consulting the Advisory  Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health Protection at Work, In cooperation with the European Parliament (2)Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and  Social Committee (3), Whereas Article 118a of the Treaty provides that the Council shall adopt, by means of Directives,  minimum requirements in order to encourage improvements, especially in the working environment, so  as to guarantee better protection of the health and safety of workers; Whereas that Article provides that such Directives shall avoid imposing administrative, financial  and legal constraints in a way which would hold back the creation and development of small and  medium-sized undertakings; Whereas the Council Resolution of 27 February 1984 on a second action programme of the European  Communities on safety and health at work (4) provides for the development ofprotective measures  for workers exposed to dangerous agents; Whereas the communication from the Commission on its programme concerning safety, hygiene and  health at work (5) provides for the adoption of Directives to guarantee the safety and health of  workers; Whereas compliance with the minimum requirements designed to guarantee a better standard of safety  and health as regards the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to biological  agents at work is essential to ensure the safety and health of workers; Whereas this Directive is an individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Council  Directive 89/391/EEC of 12 June 1989 on the introduction of measures to encourage improvements in  the safety and health of workers at work (6); whereas the provisions of that Directive are  therefore fully applicable to the exposure of workers to biological agents, without prejudice to  more stringent and/or specific provisions contained in the present Directive; Whereas more precise knowledge of the risks involved in exposure to biological agents at work can  be obtained through the keeping of records; Whereas employers must keep abreast of new developments in technology with a view to improving the  protection of workers' health and safety; Whereas preventive measures should be taken for the protection of the health and safety of workers  exposed to biological agents; Whereas this Directive constitutes a practical aspect of the realization of the social dimension of  the internal market; Whereas, pursuant to Decision 74/325/EEC (1), the Advisory Committee on Safety, Hygiene and Health  Protection at Work is consulted by the Commission on the drafting of proposals in this field, HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE:SECTION IGENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1Objective1.   This Directive, which is the seventh individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of  Directive 89/391/EEC, has as its aim the protection of workers against risks to their health and  safety, including the prevention of such risks, arising or likely to arise from exposure to  biological agents at work. It lays down particular minimum provisions in this area. 2.  Directive 89/391/EEC shall apply fully to the whole area referred to in paragraph 1, without  prejudice to more stringent and/or specific provisions contained in this Directive. 3.  This Directive shall apply without prejudice to the provisions of Council Directive 90/219/EEC  of 23 April 1990 on the contained use of genetically modified micro-organisms (2) and of Council  Directive 90/220/EEC of 23 April 1990 on the deliberate release into the environment of genetically  modified organisms (3). Article 2DefinitionsFor the purpose of this Directive: (a)  'biological agents` shall mean micro-organisms, including those which have been genetically  modified, cell cultures and human endoparasites, which may be able to provoke any infection, allergy or  toxicity; (b)'micro-organism` shall mean a microbiological entity, cellular or non-cellular, capable of  replication or of transferring genetic material; (c)'cell culture` shall mean the in-vitro growth of cells derived from multicellular organisms; (d)'biological agents` shall be classified into four risk groups, according to their level of risk  of infection: 1.  group 1 biological agent means one that is unlikely to cause human disease; 2.  group 2 biological agent means one that can cause human disease and might be a hazard to  workers; it is unlikely to spread to the community; there is usually effective prophylaxis or  treatment available; 3.  group 3 biological agent means one that can cause severe human disease and present a serious  hazard to workers; it may present a risk of spreading to the community, but there is usually  effective prophylaxis or treatment available; 4.  group 4 biological agent means one that causes severe human disease and is a serious hazard to  workers; it may present a high risk of spreading to the community; there is usually no effective  prophylaxis or treatment available. Article 3Scope - Determination and assessment of risks1.   This Directive shall apply to activities in which workers are or are potentially exposed to  biological agents as a result of their work. 2. (a)  In the case of any activity likely to involve a risk of exposure to biological agents, the  nature, degree and duration of workers' exposure must be determined in order to make it possible to  assess any risk to the workers' health or safety and to lay down the measures to be taken. (b)In the case of activities involving exposure to several groups of biological agents, the risk  shall be assessed on the basis of the danger presented by all hazardous biological agents present. (c)The assessment must be renewed regularly and in any event when any change occurs in the  conditions which may affect workers' exposure to biological agents. (d)The employer must supply the competent authorities, at their request, with the information used  for making the assessment. 3.  The assessment referred to in paragraph 2 shall be conducted on the basis of all available  information including: - classification of biological agents which are or may be a hazard to human health, as referred to  in Article 18; - recommendations from a competent authority which indicate that the biological agent should be  controlled in order to protect workers'  health when workers are or may be exposed to such a  biological agent as a result of their work; - information on diseases which may be contracted as a result of the work of the workers; - potential allergenic or toxigenic effects as a result of the work of the workers; - knowledge of a disease from which a worker is found to be suffering and which has a direct  connection with his work. Article 4Application of the various Articles in relation to assessment  of risks1.  If the results of the assessment referred to in Article 3 show that the exposure  and/or potential exposure is to a group 1 biological agent, with no identifiable health risk to  workers, Articles 5 to 17 and Article 19 shall not apply. However, point 1 of Annex VI should be observed. 2.  If the results of the assessment referred to in Article 3 show that the activity does not  involve a deliberate intention to work with or use a biological agent but may result in the workers  being exposed to a biological agent, as in the course of the activities for which an indicative  list is given in Annex I, Aricles 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 shall apply unless the results of  the assessment referred to in Article 3 show them to be unnecessary. SECTION IIEMPLOYERS' OBLIGATIONS Article 5ReplacementThe employer shall avoid the use of a  harmful biological agent if the nature of the activity so permits, by replacing it with a  biological agent which, under its conditions of use, is not dangerous or is less dangerous to  workers' health, as the case may be, in the present state of knowledge. Article 6Reduction of  risks1.  Where the results of the assessment referred to in Article 3 reveal a risk to workers'  health or safety, workers' exposure must be prevented. 2.  Where this is not technically practicable, having regard to the activity and the risk  assessment referred to in Article 3, the risk of exposure must be reduced to as low a level as  necessary in order to protect adequately the health and safety of the workers concerned, in  particular by the following measures which are to be applied in the light of the results of the  assessment referred to in Article 3: (a)  keeping as low as possible the number of workers exposed or likely to be exposed; (b)design of work processes and engineering control measures so as to avoid or minimize the  release of biological agents into the place of work; (c)collective protection measures and/or, where exposure cannot be avoided by other means,  individual protection measures; (d)hygiene measures compatible with the aim of the prevention or reduction of the accidental  transfer or release of a biological agent from the workplace; (e)use of the biohazard sign depicted in Annex II and other relevant warning signs; (f)drawing up plans to deal with accidents involving biological agents; (g)testing, where it is necessary and technically possible, for the presence, outside the primary  physical confinement, of biological agents used at work; (h)means for safe collection, storage and disposal of waste by workers, including the use of  secure and identifiable containers, after suitable treatment where appropriate; (i)arrangements for the safe handling and transport of biological agents within the workplace.  Article 7Information for the competent authority1.  Where the results of the assessment referred  to in Article 3 reveal a risk to workers' health or safety, employers shall, when requested, make  available to the competent authority appropriate information on: - the results of the assessment; - the activities in which workers have been exposed or may have been exposed to biological agents; - the number of workers exposed; - the name and capabilities of the person responsible for safety and health at work; - the protective and preventive measures taken, including working procedures and methods; - an emergency plan for the protection of workers from exposure to a group 3 or a group 4  biological agent which might result from a loss of physical containment. 2.  Employers shall inform forthwith the competent authority of any accident or incident which may  have resulted in the release of a biological agent and which could cause severe human infection  and/or illness. 3.  The list referred to in Article 11 and the medical record referred to in Article 14 shall be  made available to the competent authority in cases where the undertaking ceases activity, in  accordance with national laws and/or practice. Article 8Hygiene and individual protection1.   Employers shall be obliged, in the case of all activities for which there is a risk to the health  or safety of workers due to work with biological agents, to take appropriate measures to ensure  that: (a)  workers do not eat or drink in working areas where there is a risk of contamination by  biological agents; (b)workers are provided with appropriate protective clothing or other appropriate special  clothing; (c)workers are provided with appropriate and adequate washing and toilet facilities, which may  include eye washes and/or skin antiseptics; (d)any necessary protective equipment is: - properly stored in a well-defined place; - checked and cleaned if possible before, and in any case after, each use; - is repaired, where defective, or is replaced before further use; (e)procedures are specified for taking, handling and processing samples of human or animal  origin. 2. (a)  Working clothes and protective equipment, including protective clothing referred to in  paragraph 1, which may be contaminated by biological agents, must be removed on leaving the working  area and, before taking the measures referred to in subparagraph (b), kept separately from other  clothing. (b)The employer must ensure that such clothing and protective equipment is decontaminated and  cleaned or, if necessary, destroyed. 3.  Workers may not be charged for the cost of the measures referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2.  Article 9Information and training of workers1.  Appropriate measures shall be taken by the  employer to ensure that workers and/or any workers' representatives in the undertaking or  establishment receive sufficient and appropriate training, on the basis of all available  information, in particular in the form of information and instructions, concerning: (a)  potential risks to health; (b)precautions to be taken to prevent exposure; (c)hygiene requirements; (d)wearing and use of protective equipment and clothing; (e)steps to be taken by workers in the case of incidents and to prevent incidents. 2.  The training shall be: - given at the beginning of work involving contact with biological agents, - adapted to take account of new or changed risks, and- repeated periodically if necessary.  Article 10Worker information in particular cases1.  Employers shall provide written instructions  at the workplace and, if appropriate, display notices which shall, as a minimum, include the  procedure to be followed in the case of: - a serious accident or incident involving the handling of a biological agent; - handling a group 4 biological agent. 2.  Workers shall immediately report any accident or incident involving the handling of a  biological agent to the person in charge or to the person responsible for safety and health at  work. 3.  Employers shall inform forthwith the workers and/or any workers' representatives of any  accident or incident which may have resulted in the release of a biological agent and which could  cause severe human infection and/or illness. In addition, employers shall inform the workers and/or any workers' representatives in the  undertaking or establishment as quickly as possible when a serious accident or incident occurs, of  the causes thereof, and of the measures taken or to be taken to rectify the situation. 4.  Each worker shall have access to the information on the list referred to in Article 11 which  relates to him personally. 5.  Workers and/or any workers' representatives in the undertaking or establishment shall have  access to anonymous collective information. 6.  Employers shall provide workers and/or their representatives, at their request, with the  information provided for in Article 7 (1). Article 11List of exposed workers1.  Employers shall keep a list of workers exposed to group 3  and/or group 4 biological agents, indicating the type of work done and, whenever possible, the  biological agent to which they have been exposed, as well as records of exposures, accidents and  incidents, as appropriate. 2.  The list referred to in paragraph 1 shall be kept for at least 10 years following the end of  exposure, in accordance with national laws and/or practice. In the case of those exposures which may result in infections: - with biological agents known to be capable of establishing persistent or latent infections, - that, in the light of present knowledge, are undiagnosable until illness develops many years  later, - that have particularly long incubation periods before illness develops, - that result in illnesses which recrudesce at times over a long period despite treatment, or-  that may have serious long-term sequelae, the list shall be kept for an appropriately longer time up to 40 years following the last known  exposure. 3.  The doctor referred to in Article 14 and/or the competent authority for health and safety at  work, and any other person responsible for health and safety at work, shall have access to the list  referred to in paragraph 1. Article 12Consultation and participation of workersConsultation and  participation of workers and/or their representatives in connection with matters covered by this  Directive including the Annexes shall take place in accordance with Article 11 of Directive  89/391/EEC. Article 13Notification to the competent authority1.  Prior notification shall be  made to the competent authority of the use for the first time of: - group 2 biological agents, - group 3 biological agents, - group 4 biological agents. The notification shall be made at least 30 days before the commencement of the work. Subject to paragraph 2, prior notification shall also be made of the use for the first time of each  subsequent group 4 biological agent and of any subsequent new group 3 biological agent where the  employer himself provisionally classifies that biological agent. 2.  Laboratories providing a diagnostic service in relation to group 4 biological agents shall be  required only to make an initial notification of their intention. 3.  Renotification must take place in any case where there are substantial changes of importance to  safety or health at work to processes and/or procedures which render the notification out of date. 4.  The notification referred to in this Article shall include: (a)  the name and address of the undertaking and/or establishment; (b)the name and capabilities of the person responsible for safety and health at work; (c)the results of the assessment referred to in Article 3; (d)the species of the biological agent; (e)the protection and preventive measures that are envisaged. SECTION IIIMISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS Article 14Health surveillance1.  The Member States shall  establish, in accordance with national laws and practice, arrangements for carrying out relevant  health surveillance of workers for whom the results of the assessment referred to in Article 3  reveal a risk to health or safety. 2.  The arrangements referred to in paragraph 1 shall be such that each worker shall be able to  undergo, if appropriate, relevant health surveillance: - prior to exposure, - at regular intervals thereafter. Those arrangements shall be such that it is directly possible to implement individual and  occupational hygiene measures. 3.  The assessment referred to in Article 3 should identify those workers for whom special  protective measures may be required. When necessary, effective vaccines should be made available for those workers who are not already  immune to the biological agent to which they are exposed or are likely to be exposed. If a worker is found to be suffering from an infection and/or illness which is suspected to be the  result of exposure, the doctor or authority responsible for health surveillance of workers shall  offer such surveillance to other workers who have been similarly exposed. In that event, a reassessment of the risk of exposure shall be carried out in accordance with  Article 3. 4.  In cases where health surveillance is carried out, an individual medical record shall be kept  for at least 10 years following the end of exposure, in accordance with national laws and  practice. In the special cases referred to in Article 11 (2) second subparagraph, an individual medical  record shall be kept for an appropriately longer time up to 40 years following the last known  exposure. 5.  The doctor or authority responsible for health surveillance shall propose any protective or  preventive measures to be taken in respect of any individual worker. 6.  Information and advice must be given to workers regarding any health surveillance which they  may undergo following the end of exposure. 7.  In accordance with national laws and/or practice: - workers shall have access to the results of the health surveillance which concern them, and- the  workers concerned or the employer may request a review of the results of the health surveillance. 8.  Practical recommendations for the health surveillance of workers are given in Annex IV. 9.  All cases of diseases or death identified in accordance with national laws and/or practice as  resulting from occupational exposure to biological agents shall be notified to the competent  authority. Article 15Health and veterinary care facilities other than diagnostic laboratories1.  For the  purpose of the assessment referred to in Article 3, particular attention should be paid to: (a)  uncertainties about the presence of biological agents in human patients or animals and the  materials and specimens taken from them; (b)the hazard represented by biological agents known or suspected to be present in human patients  or animals and materials and specimens taken from them; (c)the risks posed by the nature of the work. 2.  Appropriate measures shall be taken in health and veterinary care facilities in order to  protect the health and safety of the workers concerned. The measures to be taken shall include in particular: (a)  specifying appropriate decontamination and disinfection procedures, and(b)  implementing  procedures enabling contaminated waste to be handled and disposed of without risk. 3.  In isolation facilities where there are human patients or animals who are, or who are suspected  of being, infected with group 3 or group 4 biological agents, containment measures shall be  selected from those in Annex V column A, in oder to minimize the risk of infection. Article  16Special measures for industrial processes, laboratories and animal rooms1.  The following  measures must be taken in laboratories, including diagnostic laboratories, and in rooms for  laboratory animals which have been deliberately infected with group 2, 3 or 4 biological agents or  which are or are suspected to be carriers of such agents: (a)  Laboratories carrying out work which involves the handling of group 2, 3 or 4 biological  agents for research, development, teaching or diagnostic purposes shall determine the containment  measures in accordance with Annex V, in order to minimize the risk of infection. (b)Following the assessment referred to in Article 3, measures shall be determined in accordance  with Annex V, after fixing the physical containment levelrequired for the biological agents  according to the degree of risk. Activities involving the handling of a biological agent must be carried out: - only in working areas corresponding to at least containment level 2, for a group 2 biological  agent; - only in working areas corresponding to at least containment level 3, for a group 3 biological  agent; - only in working areas corresponding to at least containment level 4, for a group 4 biological  agent. (c)Laboratories handling materials in respect of which there exist uncertainties about the  presence of biological agents which may cause human disease but which do not have as their aim  working with biological agents as such (i.e. cultivating or concentrating them) should adopt  containment level 2 at least. Containment levels 3 or 4 must be used, when appropriate, where it is  known or it is suspected that they are necessary, except where guidelines provided by the competent  national authorities show that, in certain cases, a lower containment level is appropriate. 2.  The following measures concerning industrial processes using group 2, 3 or 4 biological agents  must be taken: (a)  The containment principles set out in the second subparagraph of paragraph 1 (b) should also  apply to industrial processes on the basis of the practical measures and appropriate procedures  given in Annex VI. (b)In accordance with the assessment of the risk linked to the use of group 2, 3 or 4 biological  agents, the competent authorities may decide on appropriate measures which must be applied to the  industrial use of such biological agents. (c)For all activities covered by this Article where it has not been possible to carry out a  conclusive assessment of a biological agent but concerning which it appears that the use envisaged  might involve a serious health risk for workers, activities may only be carried out in workplaces  where the containment level corresponds at least to level 3. Article 17Use of dataThe Commission  shall have access to the use made by the competent national authorities of the information referred  to in Article 14 (9). Article 18Classification of biological agents1.  In accordance with the procedure laid down in  Article 118a of the Treaty, the Council shall adopt within six months of the date of implementation  given in Article 20 (1) a first list of group 2, group 3 and group 4 biological agents for Annex  III. 2.  Community classification shall be on the basis of the definitions in Article 2 (d) points 2 to  4 (groups 2 to 4). 3.  Pending Community classification Member States shall classify biological agents that are or may  be a hazard to human health on the basis of the definition in Article 2 (d) points 2 to 4 (groups 2  to 4). 4.  If the biological agent to be assessed cannot be classified clearly in one of the groups  defined in Article 2 (d), it must be classified in the highest risk group among the alternatives.  Article 19AnnexesPurely technical adjustments to the Annexes in the light of technical progress,  changes in international regulations orspecifications and new findings in the field of biological  agents shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 17 of Directive  89/391/EEC. Article 20Final provisions1.  Member States shall bring into force the laws,  regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with this Directive not later than  three years after the notification of this Directive (1). They shall forthwith inform the  Commission thereof. However, in the case of the Portuguese Republic, the time limit referred to in the first  subparagraph shall be five years. 2.  Member States shall communicate to the Commission the provisions of national law already  adopted or which they adopt in the field governed by this Directive. Article 21This Directive is  addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 26 November 1990. For the CouncilThe PresidentC. DONAT CATTIN(1) OJ N° C 150, 8. 6. 1988, p.  6. (2) OJ N° C 158, 26. 6. 1989, p. 92. (3) OJ N° C 56, 6. 3. 1989, p. 38. (4) OJ N° C 67, 8. 3. 1984, p. 2. (5) OJ N° C 28, 3. 2. 1988, p. 1. (6) OJ N° L 183, 29. 6. 1989, p. 1. (1) OJ N° L 185, 9. 7. 1974, p. 15. (2) OJ N° L 117, 8. 5. 1990, p. 1. (3) OJ N° L 117, 8. 5. 1990, p. 15. (1) This Directive was notified to the Member States on 29 November 1990. ANNEX I INDICATIVE LIST OF ACTIVITIES (Article 4 (2))1.  Work in food production  plants. 2.  Work in agriculture. 3.  Work activities where there is contact with animals and/or products of animal origin. 4.  Work in health care, including isolation and post mortem units. 5.  Work in clinical, veterinary and diagnostic laboratories, excluding diagnostic microbiological  laboratories. 6.  Work in refuse disposal plants. 7.  Work in sewage purification installations. ANNEX II BIOHAZARD SIGN (Article 6 (2) (e))>START OF GRAPHIC><?aeFN9,6"END OF GRAPHIC>  ANNEX III COMMUNITY CLASSIFICATION (Articles 18 and 2 (d))for the record ANNEX IV PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE HEALTH SURVEILLANCE OF WORKERS (Article 14  (8))1.  The doctor and/or the authority responsible for the health surveillance of workers  exposed to biological agents must be familiar with the exposure conditions or circumstances of each  worker. 2.  Health surveillance of workers must be carried out in accordance with the principles and  practices of occupational medicine; it must include at least the following measures: - keeping records of a worker's medical and occupational history; - a personalized assessment of the workers' state of health; - where appropriate, biological monitoring, as well as detection of early and reversible effects. Further tests may be decided upon for each worker when he is the subject of health surveillance, in  the light of the most recent knowledge available to occupational medicine. ANNEX V INDICATIONS CONCERNING CONTAINMENT MEASURES AND CONTAINMENT LEVELS (Articles 15  (3) and 16 (1) (a) and (b))Preliminary noteThe measures contained in this Annex shall be applied  according to the nature of the activities, the assessment of risk to workers, and the nature of the  biological agent concerned.>TABLE> ANNEX VI CONTAINMENT FOR INDUSTRIAL PROCESSES (Article 4 (1) and Article 16 (2)  (a))Group 1 biological agentsFor work with group 1 biological agents including life attenuated  vaccines, the principles of good occupational safety and hygiene should be observed. Group 2, 3 and 4 biological agentsIt may be appropriate to select and combine containment  requirements from different categories below on the basis of a risk assessment related to any  particular process or part of a process.>TABLE>