Occupational hygiene

As of 1 December 2017, employers must ensure that the concentration of 17 substances in the air of working zone does not exceed the set concentration limits. The concentration limits have been set for the following substances:

Abamectin

Benzalkonium chloride, Alkyl(C12-16)dimethylbenzylammonium chloride;

Thiourea dioxide

Angiolin ((S)-2,6-diaminohexanoic acid 3-methyl-1,2,4-triazolyl-5-thioacetate)

As of 1 November 2017, light industry facilities are required to comply with the adopted occupational safety rules. The Rules apply to works and processes involving finishing works for fabrics and knitwear, production of non-woven materials, spinning, production of textiles and clothing, processing of leather raw materials, works involving leather tanning and finishing, fur dyeing and processing, production of clothing, footwear and other leather and fur products.

The draft revised medical surveillance procedure for workers is to be adopted in the near future. The public discussion of the revised draft procedure has just been completed and the draft procedure is undergoing the procedure of regulatory impact evaluation. The probability that the current draft of the procedure is around 65%.

What would change if the revised procedure is adopted?

In Russia, all organisations and facilities are required to have a first aid kit (Article 223 of the Labour code). What any first-aid kit is must contain, is regulated by Order No. 169n of 5 March 2011.

The requirements set out by this Order apply to the majority of employers. However, if a facility performs activities posing additional or specific professional risks, such facilities are required to supplement their first-aid kits with additional preparations that may be required in order to neutralize a specific harmful or hazardous agent.

The list includes bacteria (including rickettsia and chlamydia), viruses, prions, fungi, protozoa and poisons (toxins), with the specification of their relevant risk group. Works with conditionally-pathogenic microorganisms and pathogenic biological agents may only be performed pursuant to a licence issued by the Ministry of Healthcare of Belarus. Works with pathogenic biological agents belonging to risk groups 3 or 4 (high and very high risk) may only be performed by state organisations.