Release of the New Chemical Agents Code of Practice
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has officially published the 2024 Code of Practice for the Safety, Health, and Welfare at Work (Chemical Agents) Regulations (2001-2021) & the Safety, Health, and Welfare at Work (Carcinogens, Mutagens, and Reprotoxic Substances) Regulations (2024).
These updated regulations consolidate the 2001 Carcinogens regulations alongside its subsequent amendments in 2015 and 2019, ensuring a comprehensive framework for workplace safety.
The 2024 regulations, in alignment with the Code of Practice, incorporate Directive (EU) 2022/431, which represents the fourth update to Directive 2004/37/EC (Carcinogens and Mutagens Directive (CMD)). Notably, this Directive expands its scope to include reprotoxic substances and introduces hazardous medicinal products (HMPs). It’s important to note that both the regulations and the Code adhere strictly to the requirements outlined in Directive (EU) 2022/431 without introducing any new or additional national measures.
One of the key revisions within the Directive involves updating limit values for three significant carcinogens: benzene, acrylonitrile, and nickel compounds. Additionally, the Biological Limit Values for lead have been transitioned from the Chemical Agents Directive to the CMR Directive. These binding occupational exposures limit values and biological limit values are comprehensively detailed within the 2024 Code of Practice.
For those interested in accessing the new Chemical Agents Code of Practice, you can download it here.
The HSA Press Release can be read here
