Electromagnetic radiation directive delayed

IN AN UNPRECEDENTED INITIATIVE THE European Commission have delayed the implementation of a directive, first passed by both the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers three years ago, until 2012. The third of the so-called ‘physical agents’ directives, the measure sought to limit the exposure of workers to electromagnetic radiation both in the health care sector and generally.  However, since the law went through worries have come to the fore about the effect that it would have on Magnetic Resonance Imaging or MRI scans. This technique is the leading method of detecting brain tumours and is carried out on 8 million patients annually in the EU.  This year the European 7th framework research programme will invest €6,000,000 in the development of similar technology.
Therefore when the Employment Commissioner Špidla was presented with a study from the UK which concluded that MRI could be curtailed by the directive he immediately confirmed that the law would have to be changed. He also instigated an EU study in four Member States to see if exposure limits would have to be increased. Trade union reaction was negative on the grounds that millions of workers will be unnecessarily exposed to high doses in the meantime while preventative measures and information and training, prescribed by the new law, will be delayed. ‘This is an unprecedented move by the Commission. Never before has the entry into force of a Health and Safety at Work Directive been put back’ commented Marc Sapir, director of the health and safety department at the European Trade Union Confederation’s research institute.

Ukraine mine disasters cast doubt on health and safety
TWO SEPARATE EXPLOSIONS IN THE SAME Ukrainian mine recently killed a total of 105 miners. The first disaster at the Zasyadko pit was the worst in the country’s history despite frequent similar accidents including one in 2000 in which 80 workers lost their lives. Zasyadko itself has also experienced several previous explosions. Although the Prime Minister, Viktor Yanukovych, assured the public that a safety inquiry had found that the regulations were being observed, President Yuschenko criticised the government for making ‘insufficient efforts to reorganise the mining sector,		particularly the implementation of safe mining practices’. The International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) was also not convinced, recommending that an enquiry, which would consult with unions, be set up as soon as possible. ‘The ITUC shares the grief of the families mourning the miners killed in this disaster’, stated Guy Ryder, the ITUC General Secretary. ‘Everything must be done to ensure that safety is ensured in the mines on a permanent basis’. The urgency of the task was underlined two weeks later when maintenance workers clearing the debris were hit by two further explosions, one of them fatal.
	A relative waits for news at the Ukrainian mine

EU encouraged by Chinese safety drive