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focus first on the cause of emission:
1. Priority 1 - Eliminate risks: ensure less risky situations, through
changes in the productive process or substitution of dangerous
substances;
2. Priority 2 - Reduce and control risks by adopting measures at the
source of the exposure such as isolation, aspiration, ventilation
systems, and other actions; and
3. Priority 3 – Workers’ protection, in case the risks are not fully
eliminated, or properly reduced and controlled (as per priorities 1 and
2): the worker will be provided with individual protective equipment.
It is worth noting that some cases may require a combination of the three
prevention measures above-mentioned.
When all these prevention measures cannot be taken, and the risk is not fully
eliminated or at a minimally acceptable degree, technical evaluations in the
form of tests to workers and the workplace environment are undertaken to
compare the actual exposure in the workplace with threshold limit values
(TLV).
Where TLV are exceeded, corrective measures should be demanded. TLV are
thus good tools for practical action. However, exposure below the TLV does
not fully guarantee safety, and prevention measures still need to be
implemented. The preferred strategy should be first and foremost that of
anticipating and preventing the release rather than relying on an after-thefact
approach based on remediation and treatment.
• Calling for a proper regulation of chemicals:
Often decisions are made by national authorities based only on scientific data
or on the interests of specific economic groups. Stakeholders are not involved,
while some of them, like workers and trade unions, are at the frontline of
chemical exposure, and should thus have a real say on regulation of chemicals.
Given the severe risks associated with chemical contamination, channels need
to be created to guarantee the participation of workers and trade unions, in
decision making processes, as a democratic principle. It is essential that
workers and trade unions, as well as stakeholders in general, develop and
strengthen capacity to influence debates on critical chemicals-related issues,
including on the definition of what constitutes an injury or an adverse effect,
of what is socially and environmentally acceptable or not.
More information about the chemical regulatory frameworks is provided in the
third module of this Manual.
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