Since 1999, Spain has a system to establish the occupational exposure limits, which are yearly updated as a compromise acquired from the 98/24/CE Directive and the Royal Decree 374/01, which additionally gives this set of exposures limits a binding character.
The system is based upon two premises:
– An experts working group, named Professional Limits Exposure Group (LEP), with experts from INSHT, Regional Governments that annually review the limits and proposes changes based upon a critical assessment of the threshold values established by the most relevant worldwide organisms, including those proposed by the EU.
– Based upon the LEP group proposal, the consensus agreement on the limits is reached in the OSH National Commission (CNSST) with a tripartite participation and the CNSST recommends its adoption and publication
The result of this process is a guide that compiles the information regarding the Spanish Occupational Exposure Limits for Chemical Agents plus complementary information. Traditionally, this report was available in paper and pdf format downloadable from the INSHT web site but recently a web- database has been created to allow a rapid consultation using some universal key search terms such as CAS number.
This tool provides an easy way to find the limit values for chemical agents and links to additional resources such as practical information about measurement, sampling and analyses methods and also a link to a specific database for carcinogens and mutagens (Infocarquim). In addition, references on legislation, technical guidelines and other INSHT documents related could be reviewed.
This system is very flexible, updated, scientific based and has the support of social partners.
This tool, which is a useful resource for OSH professional, is available at: http://bdlep.insht.es/LEP2014/
