Workers – protection against risks

ByMarta Lampreia

The Decree-Law No. 35/2020 of July 13, concerning the protection of workers from risks related to exposure to carcinogens or mutagens at work. This decree transposes Directives (EU) No. 2017/2398, 2019/130, and 2019/983.

According to this decree, in activities with the greatest risk of exposure to these types of agents, the employer must assess the risks to security and the health of the workers, such as:              

  • The nature, degree, and duration of exposure to the carcinogenic or mutagenic agent;
  • The concentration of a carcinogenic or mutagenic agent in the workplace atmosphere, taking into account occupational exposure limit values;
  • Assess the actual conditions of occupational exposure, specifically the link with other occupational risk factors.

In workplaces where there is exposure to carcinogenic or mutagenic agents, a quarterly risk assessment must be carried out.

This duty arises in the following cases:

  • occurrence of changes in working conditions;
  • the occupational exposure limit has been exceeded;
  • when the results of health surveillance justify it.