New occupational exposure limits for lead and diisocyanates, along with additional provisions for monitoring workers’ health, are being introduced by a Presidential Decree issued by the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
The decree also provides for the development of digital tools to record hazardous chemicals used in industrial production and the protective measures in place at workplaces.
“Protecting workers’ health and safety is a policy priority for the Ministry of Labour and Social Security. Together with the Minister of Labour and Social Security, Niki Kerameus, we have made the prevention of occupational risks central to our initiatives, recognising that occupational diseases pose an invisible but real threat to thousands of workers,” Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Security Kostas Karagkounis said in a statement.
He said “with the new regulatory framework, we are taking another substantive step towards protecting workers. We are strengthening safeguards against hazardous chemicals, upgrading the monitoring of workers’ health and using modern digital tools to improve the recording of risks and make inspections more effective.”
Mr Karagkounis noted that “for us, prevention is not a formal obligation but a practical commitment to every worker. We are investing in a modern health and safety framework, with rules, inspections and effective protection in practice. Because progress in the labour market is also measured by how effectively we protect the health, dignity and lives of workers.”
As for the specific provisions, the Presidential Decree sets a revised occupational exposure limit and a new biological limit value for lead and its inorganic compounds, which are classified as toxic to reproduction.
The provisions on health surveillance for workers exposed to these substances in the course of their work are also being updated.
Changes are also planned for diisocyanates, with exposure limits being set for the first time or existing limits being lowered.
In addition, the Ministry of Labour is developing new digital tools to map hazardous chemicals used in industry.
The records will also include measures taken to eliminate or reduce workers’ exposure, with the aim of more comprehensive monitoring of occupational risks.
Finally, the ministry said these measures are intended to strengthen the effectiveness of inspections and bring the occupational health and safety framework into line with the latest scientific and technical knowledge.