Procedures for Setting OELs

Limit values are developed and adopted in a three-step procedure involving a 

The scientific expert group evaluates available data in die scientific literatuxe. 

The Committee takes case-by-case decisions for exairqjle when it has more up-to-date data available than those on which the Gentian MAK values are based or if for example the Nordic countries publish criteria documents justitying lower limit values. This is the place where socio-economic aspects are taken into consideration including technical feasibility and the pos le economic consequences for industry. 

Proposals for changes/amendments/new OELs are submitted by either the Ministry (Section HI) or by social partn s and less often by members of the scientific expert group itself. The agenda is prepared by the Central Labour Inspectorate or Zentrales Arbeitsimpektorat (as part of the Ministry and Section which also chairs the meetings. 

Members of the Federal Labour administration prepare modifications to the Belgian list, mostly following changes in the EU. 

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Table 33 Summary of procedures for setting OELs in EU 15 countries...

Some common features of OEL terminology in EU 15 country lists 76 Sximmary of procedures for setting OELs in EU 15 countries 84 Numb of businesses in woodworking and fixmiture 196... 

The next topic to address is the process of setting OELs. The rationale for setting OELs has no basis in absolute information, and the procedure to be followed may differ from country to country and from substance to substance. Scientific criteria for health protection should be used in combination with considerations of their technical and economic feasibility in a dynamic process in which the development of scientific knowledge underlies rapid changes entailing the need to periodically review the data. 

At this point, the OEB or OEL becomes a guide in the development of a compound handling guidance. By using knowledge of expected exposure levels for worker activities in combination with knowledge about protection factors expected from controls, one can develop procedures for handling the compound in such a manner that the worker s exposure is below the set exposure limits. 

The procedure has three stages A group of independent experts (currently the Dutch Health Council Expert Committee on Occupational Standards, or Commissie WGD) makes a recommendation for an OEL for a given substance, based on toxicological considerations. A tripartite committee (the OEL Subcommittee) then considers this recommendation in the light of its socioeconomic and technical consequences and the practical feasibility of introducing it as an OEL, and makes a recommendation to the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment. The Minister may then decide to set the... 

The key question is do all precautions, procedures and monitoring lead to a safe work situation Safety is a matter of risk acceptance. If there exists a public OEL to refer to, one could speak of a safe situation on behalf of Society. However hardly any OELs for pharmaceutical substances have been set (see Sect. 26.7.2 for the ethanol example), and if so the extent of the exposure has to be measured to be able to find out if the OEL has been met. Even then, it is only possible to know something about safety with reference to inhalation, because most OELs refer only to exposure by inhalation and not to skin exposure. The next option is to use a private OEL or to decide for a private OEL together with other professionals. This approach is more or less equivalent to the formulation of a best practice. 

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