STAKEHOLDERS READINESS TO IMPLEMENT NEW LEGISLATION ON OCCUPATIONAL EXPOSURE TO THE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS

2017 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 28
Author(s):  
Tarmo Koppel ◽  
Inese Vilcane
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Target Groups ◽  
Member States ◽  
National Legislation ◽  
Eu Directive ◽  
Level Of Knowledge

– European companies are expected to check their compliance with a new legislation about occupational exposure to the electromagnetic fields . Corresponding EU directive was issued in 2013 and was to be implemented into the national legislation of member states by 2016. The current study was launched with the aim to determine the readiness of the companies and other stakeholders affected by this new legislation. The target groups investigated by this study include workers, working environment specialists, occupational health doctors and labour inspectors. A questionnaire was developed to determine the level of knowledge and other issues introduced by the new legislation. Altogether 67 responses was received from Estonia. Significant shortcomings were reported in regard to the training of workers at high EMF workplaces/companies - score 0,15 out of 1. EMF safety arrangements, as described in the new directive, were reported to be sufficiently fulfilled only in 11 per cent of the high EMF companies. Also the workers' knowledge about the EMFs propagation and health effects was low, averaging at only 0,15 out of 1. The results indicate that at present little attention is paid on training the workers that may be affected by high levels of EMFs. Shortcomings are characteristic to all sizes of companies but are less evident in large companies. Considering the requirements of the new EMF legislation, immediate planning of appropriate schooling programs is necessary for all parties involved.

Occupational exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields near 20 kV, 3-phase shunt reactors at substations

2018 ◽  
Vol 53 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-152
Author(s):  
H. Pirkkalainen ◽  
T. Heiskanen ◽  
M. Penttilä ◽  
J. Elovaara ◽  
L. Korpinen
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Magnetic Flux ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Worker Safety ◽  
Magnetic Flux Density ◽  
Eu Directive ◽  
Action Value ◽  
Shunt Reactors

Directive 2013/35/EU of the European Parliament and Council, among other things, sets values for the occupational exposure of workers regarding the health and safety risks arising from electromagnetic fields. In order to ensure worker safety, the Finnish national grid operator, Fingrid Oyj, conducted several measurements of electromagnetic fields at its substations. One of the goals of the measurements was to ensure that a magnetic flux density of 1000 µT (rms), set as the lower action value by the EU directive, was not reached in any location accessible to substation workers. The highest magnetic flux densities at substations can be found near shunt reactors and their cables, which is why the measurements were focused on those areas. The lower action value of 1000 µT (rms) was surpassed at two locations. This discovery led to immediate actions to prevent workers from accessing these locations.

Resolution 2300 (Council of Eur. Parl. Assembly)

2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 487-494
Author(s):  
David Lewis
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Council Of Europe ◽  
Member States ◽  
National Legislation ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Eu Directive ◽  
The Eu

This Resolution was adopted in October 2019 following a report of the Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights. It has to be seen in the context of previous Council of Europe activity on this topic as well as the European Union (EU) Directive on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law. The content of the EU Directive was agreed earlier in 2019 and EU Member States are obliged to transpose it into national legislation by December 2021.

scholarly journals Occupational Exposure to Electromagnetic Fields and Health Surveillance according to the European Directive 2013/35/EU

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1730
Author(s):  
Alberto Modenese ◽  
Fabriziomaria Gobba
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Early Detection ◽  
Adverse Effects ◽  
Electromagnetic Fields ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Limit Values ◽  
Eu Directive ◽  
Exposed Workers

In the European Union, health surveillance (HS) of electromagnetic fields (EMF)-exposed workers is mandatory according to the Directive 2013/35/EU, aimed at the prevention of known direct biophysical effects and indirect EMF’s effects. Long-term effects are not addressed in the Directive as the evidence of a causal relationship is considered inadequate. Objectives of HS are the prevention or early detection of EMF adverse effects, but scant evidence is hitherto available on the specific procedures. A first issue is that no specific laboratory tests or medical investigations have been demonstrated as useful for exposure monitoring and/or prevention of the effects. Another problem is the existence of workers at particular risk (WPR), i.e., subjects with specific conditions inducing an increased susceptibility to the EMF-related risk (e.g., workers with active medical devices or other conditions); exposures within the occupational exposure limit values (ELVs) are usually adequately protective against EMF’s effects, but lower exposures can possibly induce a health risk in WPR. Consequently, the HS of EMF-exposed workers according to the EU Directive should be aimed at the early detection and monitoring of the recognized adverse effects, as well as an early identification of WPR for the adoption of adequate preventive measures.

Ranking of European Union Member States Based on the Level of Knowledge Created by the Research and Development Sector

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-56
Author(s):  
Krystyna Romaniuk
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Knowledge Creation ◽  
Union Member ◽  
Political Life ◽  
Ranking Methods ◽  
Member States ◽  
Management Paradigms ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
European Union Member States

The contemporary era is characterized by revolutionary changes in the economy, technological progress, social and political life. Globalization exerts pressure on businesses and entire economies to increase their competitive strength which is defined as the ability to create knowledge. Knowledge creation and management became the new management paradigms. The responsibility for knowledge creation rests mainly upon the research and development sector. The aim of this study was to rank European Union Member States based on the level of knowledge created by their respective research and development sectors and to identify knowledge creation leaders. The analysis relied on EUROSTAT data for 2007-2011 and linear ranking methods with a reference standard. Our results indicate that Western European and Scandinavian countries are the leaders in the area of knowledge creation.

BIOETHICAL AND LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE USE OF ANIMALS FOR SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES

2020 ◽  
pp. 10-15
Author(s):  
D. A. Lebedeva ◽  
Yu. A. Shcheglov
Keyword(s):  
Legal Aspects ◽  
Modern Concept ◽  
Member States ◽  
Ethical Attitude ◽  
Eu Directive ◽  
History Of ◽  
History Of Bioethics ◽  
The Eu

This work scrutinizes modern bioethical concepts of the use of animals for scientific purposes, as well as legal aspects of its use. Initially, the authors present a brief excursion into the history of bioethics and then focus on the modern concept of ethical attitude to the animals used for scientific purposes. The authors analyze the EU Directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, as well as the EAEU acts and by-laws of the EAEU member states, and conclude that it is necessary to adopt a supranational act within the EAEU that will regulate the use of animals for scientific purposes in accordance with the principles of reduction, replacement and refinement.

scholarly journals Improvement of the module for occupational diseases in the structure of occupational health record

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Iancheva ◽  
T Kundurzhiev ◽  
N Tzacheva ◽  
L Hristova
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Occupational Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Occupational Disease ◽  
Occupational Diseases ◽  
National Level ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Occupational Health Services ◽  
Health Record ◽  
Disease Module

Abstract The study is based on the National Science Program 'eHealth in Bulgaria (e-Health)', funded by the Ministry of Education and Science. Partnership Contract No. D-01-200/16.11.2018 Issue Occupational health is closely linked to public health and health system. In Bulgaria there are many software products related to the registration and reporting of occupational health. Description of the Problem It is necessary to study all the determinants of occupational health, including the risks of diseases and accidents in the occupational environment, social and individual factors. The establishment of electronic systems for registering and monitoring both the health status of each worker and the possible hazards in the work environment is associated with the introduction and use of the occupational health record of each worker. Results The methodology for improving the module for occupational diseases in the structure of the occupational health record in Bulgaria has been developed. The classifications are in compliance with the legislation in the country and the requirements of the developing Eurostat methodology for European statistics on occupational diseases are applied. The occupational health record will serve both employers and physicians working in Occupational Health Services. Lessons The occupational disease module in the structure of the occupational health record will contribute to the statistical comparability of occupational disease data at regional and national level. Not only will the registration of the harmful factors of the working environment and the diseases related to the work process, but also the introduction of timely measures to ensure good occupational and public health. Key messages Through the occupational disease module, the structure of the occupational health record introduces the possibility of taking adequate measures to ensure good occupational health. The occupational health record will serve both employers and physicians working in Occupational Health Services.

Conventional and Alternative Aviation Fuels: Occupational Exposure and Health Effects

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nektarios Karanikas ◽  
Cherry Foster ◽  
Adolfo Beltran Hernandez ◽  
Alice Harvey ◽  
Ozan Targal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Occupational Exposure ◽  
Health Effects ◽  
Alternative Aviation Fuels

scholarly journals A Law and Economics Perspective on the EU Directive on Representative Actions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Visscher ◽  
M. Faure
Keyword(s):  
Law And Economics ◽  
Class Action ◽  
Third Party ◽  
Collective Actions ◽  
Member States ◽  
Eu Directive ◽  
Opt Out ◽  
Contingency Fees ◽  
Party Funding ◽  
The Eu

AbstractThis article provides an analysis of the Directive on representative actions for the protection of the collective interests of consumers of 25 November 2020. The Directive enables qualified entities to bring representative actions on behalf of the consumer. The article uses a Law and Economics approach to stress the advantages of collective actions as a tool to remedy rational apathy and free-rider behaviour. The article therefore in principle welcomes the fact that this Directive will lead to all Member States having some form of collective redress. However, it is rather difficult to fit this Directive into the economic criteria for centralization as there is no obvious danger of cross-border externalities or a race-to-the-bottom. The article is critical of the fact that the Directive only provides for a representative action and does not mention the alternative of a group action (sometimes referred to as a class action). This is especially problematic if there are very few qualified entities that could bring the representative action. Furthermore, the fact that Member States may choose an opt-in procedure instead of an opt-out procedure is critically evaluated. The most problematic aspect of the Directive is the funding of the representative action. Punitive damages and contingency fees are rejected, and the possibility of third-party funding is restricted. It is therefore to be feared that this Directive, notwithstanding the good intentions, may not lead to much application in practice, since the question of how the representative action is to be financed is not resolved in any satisfactory manner.

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