There are biological agents present in many different kinds of work environments. They are most often found in the agricultural sector, the wood processing industry, the energy sector, the waste processing industry, the metal and food processing industries as well as the health care and medical sector and laboratories. Exposure can occur through inhalation, ingestion or skin contact. Exposure to biological agents can be harmful to health.

Exposure to biological agents may occur:

• in jobs that include working on or with biological agents
• in jobs that do not intentionally include working on or with biological agents but which may lead to workers becoming exposed.

The law divides biological agents into four risk groups for the purposes of assessing and managing the danger they pose. The risk groups determine which actions are necessary according to the applicable Government Decree, such as prevention, advance notices and health examinations. The Finnish Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Decree on Biological Agents stipulate that a list must be kept of all employees who, in their work, have been exposed to biological agents that pose a serious danger or a risk of serious illness.

Ways to mitigate biological hazards

Employers whose employees are exposed to biological agents through their work have an obligation to investigate and identify the risks posed by the biological agents present, evaluate their impact on their employees’ safety and health and take any necessary action.

The use of dangerous biological agents must be avoided and safe or less dangerous alternatives used instead whenever possible.

Training and instruction of employees

It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that their employees are given information and instruction on

• the potential risks posed by biological agents to health
• precautions to prevent exposure
• hygiene requirements
• the use of protective devices and clothing
• how to act in an emergency, and
• ways to prevent incidents.

List of exposed employees and notices

Employers must keep a list of all employees of theirs who are exposed to biological agents that pose a serious danger or a risk of a serious illness through their work. The list must be kept for a period of at least 10 years and, in some circumstances, for 40 years.

According to the decree, the list of employees exposed to biological agents must include the following information:

1. The name and occupation of the exposed employee
2. The workplace’s field of activity and the nature of the work performed
3. Available information on the biological agent the employee was exposed to
4. Description of where and when the exposure event took place.

Occupational safety and health authorities must be notified before biological agents belonging to risk group 2, 3 or 4 are used for the first time. Notice must be given at least 30 days before the work is due to begin.

Employers must also immediately notify occupational safety and health authorities of all accidents and incidents that could have led to the release of biological agents and that could pose a risk of a serious infection or illness.