Biological agents

Harmful biological agents in the workplace

Harmful biological agents include:

• cell microorganisms, including genetically modified ones,

• cell-free units capable of replication or transfer of genetic material, including genetically modified ones,

• cell cultures,

• internal parasites,

which may be the cause of: infection, allergy, poisoning.

Classification of harmful biological agents

The basis for the classification of biological agents is their impact on workers' health.

Depending on their infectious properties, biological agents have been classified into 4 groups of hazards.

Group 1 hazards - agents that are unlikely to cause disease in humans.

Group 2hazards - agents that can cause disease in humans, may be dangerous to workers, but are unlikely to spread to the human population. There are usually effective methods of prevention or treatment for them, e.g.: Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme disease spirochete), Staphylococcus aureus (staphylococcus aureus), Clostridium tetani (tetanus),

Group 3 hazards - agents that can cause severe human disease, are dangerous to workers, and are very likely to spread to the human population. There are usually effective methods of prevention or treatment for them, e.g.: Yersinia pestis (plague), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (tuberculosis), Blastomyces dermatitidis (skin yeast),

Group 3**hazards - Biological agents that pose a limited risk of infection to workers because they are not typically airborne, e.g.: Salmonella typhi (typhoid bacillus), Shigiella dysenteriae Type 1 (dysentery bacillus), HIV, HBV, HCV ,

Group 4 hazards - agents that cause severe human disease, are dangerous to workers, and their spread to the human population is very likely. Usually, there are no effective methods of prevention or treatment for them, e.g. Ebola virus, Lassa virus, smallpox virus.

Responsibilities regarding biological agents

1. Implementation of the provisions of the Regulation of the Minister of Health of 22 April 2005 on harmful biological agents should begin with a proper assessment of occupational risk, taking into account the exposure of employees to harmful biological agents.

2. The occupational risk assessment allows for the application of appropriate preventive measures.

3. Despite the application of preventive measures, the employer (head of the organizational unit where biological agents are used) fulfills a number of obligations:

  • avoids the use of a harmful biological agent, if the type of activity allows to do so, by replacing it with another biological agent which, according to the conditions of use, is not dangerous or is less dangerous to the employee's health,
  • keeps a register of works exposing employees to a harmful biological agent classified as a Group 3 or 4 hazard, in electronic form or in a register book,
  • reduces the number of employees exposed or potentially exposed to a harmful biological agent,
  • designs the work process in a way that avoids or minimizes the release of a harmful biological agent in the workplace,
  • develops work instructions,
  • uses a biohazard warning sign, which is specified in Annex 3 to the Regulation, and other warning signs,
  • provides employees with collective protection measures or, if exposure cannot be avoided in any other way, with individual protection measures appropriate to the type and level of exposure,
  • provides employees with safe conditions for eating and drinking in separate rooms,
  • provides appropriate rooms, hygienic and sanitary equipment, disinfectants,
  • provides employees with containment measures to prevent and reduce the accidental transfer or release of a harmful biological agent,
  • draws up a plan of action in the event of an accident involving a harmful biological agent classified as a Group 3 or 4 hazard,
  • conducts tests for the presence of a harmful biological agent, where it is necessary and technically feasible, excluding the originally enclosed space,
  • provides conditions for safe collection, storage and disposal of waste by employees, using safe and labeled containers,
  • applies procedures for safe handling of harmful biological agents,
  • provides employees with systematic training; informs the employees about medical examinations that the employee may use after the exposure has ceased,
  • keeps a register of employees exposed to harmful biological agents classified as Group 3 or 4 hazard, in electronic form or in a register book
  • informs, at the request of the employee or their representative, about the number of employees exposed, the person responsible for occupational health and safety and protection of employees' health,
  • informs the locally competent state sanitary inspector of the use of a harmful biological agent classified in the Group 2-4 hazard for scientific research, diagnostic or industrial purposes.

The information should be provided to the competent sanitary inspector:

• at least 30 days before the date of first use of a harmful biological agent classified in Group 2-4 hazard,

• whenever there are significant changes affecting the safety and health of the employee in the workplace,

• within 30 days after the enterprise or plant ceases to operate,

• immediately, in the event of any failure or accident that could have resulted in the release of a harmful biological agent classified as Group 2-4 hazard.

More information can be found in the Regulation of the Minister of Health of 22 April 2005 on biological agents harmful for health in the work environment and health protection of employees occupationally exposed to these agents (Journal of Laws No. 81, item 716, as amended).