INFECTIOUS DISEASES - Biological Hazards.

Biological agents are mainly micro-organisms, including bacteria, fungi and microscopic parasites, which can cause harm. They are classified into four main hazardous groups according to the dangers they pose to workers and the public.

Group 1.
Unlikely to cause human disease;

Group 2
Can cause human disease and may be a hazard to employees, though unlikely to spread to the community and effective treatment is usually available;

Group 3.
Can cause severe human disease and may be a serious hazard to employees, it is likely spread to the community and there is usually treatment available; and

Group 4.
Can cause severe human disease and is a serious threat to employees. It is likely to spread to the community and there is usually no treatment available.

Examples of occupationally acquired infections include:

Source		Infection		Occupation at Risk
Human tissues and body fluids		Hepatitis, tuberculosis, enteric infections, HIV infection		Health care and mortuary workers, emergency services and clinical waste collection and disposal operatives. Sewage and water workers
Animals / Animal products Arthropods		Anthrax, brucellosis, Leptospirosis, salmonellosis, rabies and toxoplasmosis		Agricultural workers, animal handlers, vets, abattoir workers, processors of animal products and Sewage and water workers.
Sewage and polluted water				Sewage and water workers
Soil		Salmonellosis, shigellosis, hepatitis A infection, Leptospirosis		Sewage and water workers
Soil		Tetanus and other clostridial infections		Agricultural and construction workers, gardeners.

The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 1999 apply to biological agents where exposure arises from work with a biological agent which are innately part of the job exposure (such as those found in health care work in hospitals and the community). Or where it arises out of a work activity, even though the work activity does not involve direct work with, or use of, biological agent (incidentally part of job exposure such as those found in sewer work or agriculture). An assessment of the risks to health to be made where there is risk of exposure to biological agents from work activities. The assessment should look at - which biological agents may be present - what hazard group they belong to - what form they are in, and the diseases they may cause - the likelihood of exposure and development of disease - whether they can be substituted - what control measures are needed - the number of workers exposed and whether monitoring or health surveillance is necessary.

Employers must also - provide suitable and sufficient washing facilities to assist good hygiene practices (Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992); and provide suitable and sufficient first aid facilities (Health and Safety (First Aid) Regulations 1981).

If you feel you may be a risk, ask your employer for the COSHH assessment - seek advice from your GMB shop steward or Health and Safety Representative.

Produced by the GMB, London Region,
Thorne House, 152 Brent Street, Hendon. NW4 2DP
Tel: 020 8202 8272
Fax: 020 8202 2893