The Occupational Health and Safety Authority is launching a consultation process to amend two legal regulations issued four years ago on the protection of the health and safety of workers from the risks related to chemical agents at work (Legal Notices 120 and 227 of 2003). The amendments deal specifically with the issue of a second list of occupational exposure limit values (OELVs).

For better regulation the OHSA is issuing one consolidated list which includes both the previous list (issued as LN 120/2003 which is now being repealed), and the second list, both of which will be published as one set of updated regulations to facilitate end-use.

The most common limit values are air limit values defining the maximum acceptable concentration of a hazardous substance in the workplace air. This concentration varies from substance to substance according to its toxicity and other issues such as the physical and chemical characteristics of the particular chemical agent.

Although the new consolidated list is rather comprehensive, it is by no means to be considered as exhaustive or final. To this end, it is natural that many substances such as some used in manufacturing processes, do not feature in this list, which contains the most common and widely used substances. Should anyone come across a chemical which is not featured in this list, one should resort to the relevant Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) which is available from the producer or supplier of the substance. Even in the absence of an OELV, the employer is still required by law to carry out a risk assessment.

Any person or entity who wishes to make any comments on the proposed amendment is invited to do so by contacting the Occupational Health and Safety Authority at: OHSA, 17 Edgar Ferro Street, Pieta’ PTA 3153 or by email at [email protected]

A copy of the legislation together with the proposed amendment can be downloaded from the OHSA’s website: www.ohsa.org.mt

The deadline for submissions is 30 March.