23 August 2004 - HSE Publish New Web Site Area on Microbiological Safety
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has recently produced a new area of their web site concerning infections at work causing ill health from exposure of a variety of micro-organisms such as bacteria and viruses (commonly known as pathogens, bugs and germs) during work activities. The site also covers work with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in contained facilities, such as research laboratories or biotechnology production facilities.
'Infections at work' or, ‘biological agents’ in health and safety legislation, are those created by exposure to harmful micro-organisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and internal parasites. Harm may be caused by being exposed to toxins produced by the micro-organism, or by having an allergic reaction to the micro-organism or substances it produces.
The site covers a broad area, from accidental infections with gut bacteria in the sewage industry, that result in mild diarrhoea, to laboratory accidents involving more serious pathogens such as HIV.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs), may be plants, animals or (most commonly) micro-organisms (including bacteria, viruses parasites and fungi). Importantly, in the case of humans, even if GMOs have undergone genetic modification as a result of, for example, gene therapy, they are not regarded as GMOs in HSE’s legislation.
For more detailed information, log on to the new area of the HSE web site by clicking this link: Infections and GMOs at work website
